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DELHI  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
Cl.  No.  V ^ 1 h’  hi  ^ ,1  i U 

. >i45“ 

This  book  should  be  returned  on  01  befote  the  date  last  stamped 
below.  An  overdue  charge  of  0 0 nP.  will  be  charged  ior  each 
day  the  book  is  kept  oveitime. 


MEMOIRS 

OF 

The  American  Philosophical  Society 

HELD  AT  PHILADELPHIA  FOR  PROMOTING 
USEFUL  KNOWLEDGE 

eOQ 


VOLUME  XXII,  1944 


Sciond  Priniing 


ntIMTED  IN  THE  UNITED  DTATIS  or  AMEItICA 


'Vry-' 


THOMAS  JEFFERSON 

Frim  the  pawiiiti  by  Thmat  SitSy 
in  tU  posttsiim  of 
Tht  dmeriean  FkHaJOphiw  Society  ' 


THOMAS  JEFFERSON’S 

GARDEN  BOOK 

1766-1824 

JVith  relevant  extracts  from 
his  other  writings 


ANNOTATED  BY 


EDWIN  MORRIS  BETTS 

/Isthtant  Prtfeuor  of  Biolofff,  Millet  School  of  Biology 
UniversUy  of  Virginia 


The  American  Philosophical  Society 

Independence  Square  ■ Philadelphia 

1944 


PREPARATION  OF  THIS  MEMOIR  AIDED  BY 
A GRANT  FROM  THE  PENROSE  FUND  OF 
THE  AMERICAN  PHILOSOPHICAL  SOCIETY 


PREFACE 


WHEN  Thomas  Jefferson  died  on  July  4,  1826,  he 
left  behind  one  of  the  richest  treasures  of  personal 
and  public  documents  in  America.  He  named  his 
oldest  grandson,  Thomas  Jefferson  Randolph,  the  executor  of 
his  estate,  and  stated  in  his  will:  “My  papers  of  business  going 
of  course  to  him  as  my  executor,  all  others  of  a literary  or 
other  character  I give  to  him  as  of  his  own  property."  Since 
Edgehill  later  became  the  home  of  Thomas  Jefferson  Ran- 
dolph, the  bulk  of  Jefferson’s  papers  were  moved  there  from 
Monlicello. 

In  1848  a collection  of  Jefferson’s  public  papers  was  pur- 
chased by  the  United  States  Government  and  deposited  in  the 
Library  of  the  State  Department,  to  be  transferred  later  to 
the  Division  of  Manuscripts  of  the  Library  of  Congress.  The 
private  papers  remained  in  possession  of  the  Randolph  family 
until  1898,  when  Jefferson’s  great-grandson,  Thomas  Jefferson 
Coolidge,  of  Boston,  the  son  of  Ellen  Randolph  and  Joseph 
Coolidge,  purchased  about  seven  thousand  pieces  and  gave 
them  on  June  9,  of  the  same  y.eap,  te  the  Massachusetts  His- 
tprical  Society,  Among  tKeK^tfeHs  was  the  original  Garden 
Book. 

This  Gaiden  Book  contains  the  most  varied  entries  of  all  of 
Jefferson’s  memorandum  books.  The  book  that  began  as  a 
diary  of  the  garden  became  a written  repository  for  numerous 
interests  of  Jefferson.  The  entries  range  from  contracts  with 
overseers,  plans  for  building  roads  and  fish  ponds,  and  ob- 
servations on  the  greatest  Rood  in  Albemarle,  to  comments  on 
Mrs.  Wythe’s  win'b  and  figures  on  the  number  of  strawberries 
in  a pint  measure.  Here  is  revealed  what  was  probably  the 
most  absorbing  of  all  the  interests  of  one  who  w’as  the  fore- 
most philosopher  of  his  time.  Governor  of  Virginia,  Secj:etary 
of  State  In  President  Washington’s  cabinet.  Vice  President  and 
President  of  the  United  States,  President  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society  for  eighteen  years,  and  founder  of  the 
University  of  Virginia,  He  was  possessed  of  a love  of  na- 
ture so  intense  that  his  observant  eye  caught  almost  every 


V 


VI 


, Preface 


passing  change  in  it.  And  whatever  he  saw  rarely  escaped 
being  recorded.  So  we  know  when  the  first  purple  hyacinth 
blooms  in  the  spring,  when  peas  are  up,  when  they  blossom 
and  pod,  and  when  they  arc  ready  for  the  table.  We  are  fur- 
ther informed  that  Lunaria  and  Eastern  Mallow  are  indiffer- 
ent flowers,  that  Mirabilis  is  very  clever,  that  peaches  and 
almonds  blossom  on  certain  days,  and  that  according  to  old 
Sharpe  a bushel  of  lime  will  weigh  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
pounds.  One  wonders  how  a man  with  so  many  other  inter- 
ests and  with  the  multitudinous  duties  of  his  offices  could  have 
found  the  time  to  record  all  these  observations. 

The  varied  entries  in  the  Garden  Book  not  only  show  us 
what  Jefferson  was  doing  and  planting  at  Monticello,  Poplar 
Forest,  and  his  other  estates,  but  also  give  us  a clue  as  to  his 
interests  in  introducing  new  plants  and  in  improving  farming, 
horticulture,  viticulture,  and  many  other  aspects  of  the  rural 
life  of  his  time.  The  gardens  and  groves  at  Monticello  be- 
came experimental  plots  where  new  plants  were  introduced 
and  nurtured,  and  if  they  were  found  suitable  for  use  or  orna- 
ment, they  were  passed  on  to  interested  neighbors  and  friends 
in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

That  these  interests  at  Monticello  were  also  tied  up  with 
the  agricultural  and  horticultural  needs  of  the  United  States, 
Is  shown  in  part  by  Jefferson’s  attempt  ta  introduce  the  culti- 
vation of  olive  trees  and  dry  rice  into  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia,  mainly  for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  living  con- 
ditions of  the  slaves  and  saving  them  from  the  ravages  of 
disease  that  swept  the  low  countries.  He  was  equally  inter- 
ested in  cultivating  a grape  that  would  produce  a wine  com- 
parable to  those  of  Europe.  Further  he  invented  a “mould- 
board  of  least  resistance”  and  kept  improving  it  over  a period 
of  years  so  that  plowing  could  be  done  more  scientifically. 
Then  with  the  aid  of  his  son-in-law,  Thomas  Mann  Randolph, 
he  introduced  contour  plowing  at  Monticello,  an  innovation 
which  soon  spread  rapidly  over  the  nation.  His  practice  of 
sending  plants  from  Europe  to  America  when  he  was  living  In 
France  was  a forerunner  of  what  our  Division  of  Plant  Ex- 
ploration and  Introduction  has  since  done  with  mounting  suc- 
cess. Even  the  Lewis  and  Clark  Expedition  had  as  one  of  its 
fundamental  purposes  the  collection  of  native  Western  plants 
for  the  purpose  of  experimental  cultivation  in  the  East.  Some 


Preface  , 


vii 


of  these  plants  were  grown  in  Jefferson’s  gardens  at  Monli- 
cello  and  in  the  gardens  of  Bernard  McMahon  and  William 
Hamilton,  of  Philadelphia.  Certain  of  them,  such  as  Lewisia, 
Clarkia,  Mahonia,  Madura,  and  a species  of  Symphoricarpos, 
now  hold  a recognized  place  in  ornamental  horticulture. 

In  summarizing  what  he  considered  his  most  important  serv- 
ices to  man,  Jefferson  mentions  the  introduction  of  the  olive 
tree  and  dry  rice  into  South  Carolina.  He  ranks  these  along 
with  the  writing  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  his  advo- 
cating freedom  of  religion,  abolishing  the  Ijiw  of  entails,  and 
striving  to  diffuse  knowledge  more  widely.  He  concludes  the 
note  on  his  effort  to  introduce  dry  rice  into  South  Carolina  by 
saying:  “The  greatest  service  which  can  be  rendered  any  coun- 
try is,  to  add  an  useful  plant  to  its  culture;  especially,  a bread 
grain;  next  in  value  is  oil.”  In  a letter  to  M.  Giroud,  after 
thanking  him  for  the  seeds  of  the  bread  tree  he  had  sent,  Jef- 
ferson writes:  “One  service  of  this  kind  rendered  to  a nation, 
is  worth  more  to  them  than  all  the  victories  of  the  most  splen- 
did pages  of  their  history,  and  becomes  a source  of  exalted 
pleasure  to  those  who  have  been  instrumental  in  it.”  That 
introducing  new  plants  Into  cultivation  was  a passion  with  him 
will  be  noted  throughout  the  Garden  Book. 

Jefferson  began  the  Garden  Book  in  1766  and  continued  it 
until  the  autumn  of  1824,  two  years  before  his  death.  There 
were  necessarily  many  lapses  in  it,  caused  in  part  by  Jefferson’s 
frequent  and  lengthy  absences  from  Monticcllo.  The  most 
extensive  absence  occurred  from  1784  to  1789,  when  he  served 
as  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  France.  Even  in  the  years  in 
which  he  spent  much  of  his  time  at  Monlicello,  the  entries  are 
often  irregular.  Also,  Jefferson  used  memorandum  books 
other  than  the  Garden  Book  in  which  to  record  his  planting 
activities.  For  instance,  the  notes  on  gardening  for  1795 
and  1796  were  jotted  down  in  the  Farm  Book,  while  those  of 
1807  and  1808  were  written  in  the  JVeather  Memorandum 
Book  17^6—1820.  Then,  too,  he  often  wrote  down  impor- 
tant garden  matters  on  odd  sheets  of  paper.  Occasionally 
Jefferson  took  pains  to  copy  into  his  Garden  Book  observations 
recorded  originally  in  these  other  memoranda. 

In  order  to  get  a complete  picture  of  Jefferson’s  gardening 
and  agricultural  Interests,  one  must  also  continually  consult  his 
correspondence.  In  his  letters  Jefferson  expressed  his  theories 


vin 


Preface 


on  agriculture  and  gardening,  told  what  he  was  planting,  in- 
quired after  the  gardens  and  farms  of  friends  and  neighbors, 
requested  plants  from  them,  and  ordered  plants  and  seeds  from 
nurseries  and  seedsmen.  His  correspondents  often  recipro- 
cated with  valuable  information  and  on  numerous  occasions 
they  sent  plants  and  seeds. 

In  annotating  the  Garden  Book,  I have  therefore  felt  it 
necessary  to  add  copious  notes.  Relevant  material  has  been 
taken  from  the  Farm  Book,  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book 
i7'/6-j820,  account  books,  stray  memoranda,  and  letters. 
Since  the  Garden  Book  is  in  chronological  order,  each  year  is 
treated  separately,  with  a brief  outline  of  Jefferson’s  principal 
activities,  followed  by  notes  and  letters.  An  effort  has  also 
been  made  to  fill  the  gaps  in  the  Garden  Book  by  presenting 
all  related  material  from  other  sources.  Additional  perti- 
nent information  has  been  given  in  the  form  of  appendices. 
Throughout,  I have  adhered  faithfully  to  Jefferson’s  orthog- 
raphy. In  only  a few  instances  have  the  annotations  been 
extended  beyond  the  Garden  Book  to  Jefferson’s  other  writ- 
ings. No  attempt  has  been  made  to  compare  the  currency 
values  of  Jefferson’s  time  with  those  of  to-day  because  of  the 
constant  fluctuation  of  monetary  standards  in  the  Jeffersonian 
era.  The  reader  should  keep  this  In  mind  when  he  considers 
the  prices  that  Jefferson  paid  for  plants  and  services  of  various 
kinds. 

In  April,  1939,  the  American  Philosophical  Society  awarded 
the  late  Rodney  H.  True,  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
a grant  from  the  Penrose  Fund  to  edit  for  publication  Jeffer- 
son’s Garden  Book,  Dr.  True  had  long  been  a student  of 
Jefferson  and  was,  through  his  botanical  knowledge,  especially 
fitted  tp  edit  the  Garden  Book.'  Unfortunately,  however, 
after  securing  a careful  transcription  of  the  text,  he  lived  long 
enough  to  write  only  the  first  draft  of  an  introduction,  the 
principal  ideas  of  which  have  been  incorporated  into  this 
preface.  The  grant  was  later  transferred  to  me,  with  the 
request  that  I prepare  a “definitive”  edition  of  the  Garden 
Book,  taking  into  account  Jefferson’s  deep  interest  in  general 
agriculture  as  well  as  in  gardening — an  interest  that  appears 
constantly  not  only  in  his  Faun  Book  but  also  in  his  account 
books  and  letters. 


Preface 


IX 


Although  a large  amount  of  material  has  been  introduced 
here,  much  of  it  published  for  the  first  time,  there  still  remains 
related  material  not  available  for  publication.  Not  until  this 
material  is  released  can  there  be  a strictly  definitive  account 
of  Jefferson’s  agricultural  and  horticultural  pursuits.  Prince- 
ton University  is  undertaking  to  publish  the  complete  corre- 
spondence, writings,  addresses,  drawings,  and  miscellaneous 
documents  of  Thomas  Jefferson.  The  project  is  under  the 
general  direction  of  a committee  with  Dr.  Douglas  S.  Free- 
man as  chairman,  and  with  Dr.  Julian  P.  Boyd  as  editor. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  thank  the  following  institutions  for  per- 
mission to  publish  Jefferson  manuscripts:  the  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society,  for  the  Garden  Book,  the  Farm  Book,  the 
Account  Books  1771,  1772,  1774,  1776-1778,  1783-1790, 
1804-1808,  1809-1820,  and  1821-1826,  and*  many  of  Jef- 
ferson’s drawings  and  letters;  the  Library  of  Congress,  for 
letters,  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book  1776-1820,  and  Ac- 
count Books  1767-1770,  1773,  and  1779-1782;  the  Henry 
E.  Huntington  Library  and  Art  Gallery,  for  drawings,  letters, 
and  the  Account  Book  1775;  the  New  York  Public  Library, 
for  the  Account  Book  1791-1803;  the  Yale  University  Li- 
brary, for  letters;  the  Maryland  Historical  Society,  for  let- 
ters; the  Missouri  Historical  Society,  for  letters;  the  Rosen- 
bach  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  for  letters  ahd  memoranda; 
the  Thomas  Jefferson  Memorial  Foundation,  for  letters;  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  for  letters ; and  the 
Alderman  Memorial  Library,  University  of  Virginia,  for  let- 
ters and  memoranda. 

It  is  also  a pleasure  to  thank  Brigadier  General  Jefferson  R. 
Kean  for  permission  to  quote  from  the  Account  Book  1767— 
1770,  which  is  at  present  deposited  in  the  Library  of  Congress. 

I wish  further  to  express  my  appreciation  to  the  following 
publishers  and  individuals  who  have  given  permission  to  quote 
excerpts  from  their  published  works : Charles  Scribner’s  Sons, 
Dr.  Gilbert  Chinard,  Miss  Norma  B.  Cuthbert,  Dr.  Cecil 
Garlick,  Dr.  Fiske  Kimball,  Missouri  Historical  Society,  Miss 
Mary  Rawlings,  Dr.  E.  G.  Swem  for  Miss  Marjorie  Warner, 
and  Mrs.  Lyon  G.  Tyler. 

My  especial  thanks  are  due  the  following  persons : the  staff 
of  the  Rare  Book  and  Manuscript  Division  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  Library,  for  their  assistance  in  securing  manu- 


X 


Preface 


scripts  and  books,  and  for  helpful  suggestions;  Miss  Norma 
B.  Cuthbert,  of  the  Huntington  Library  and  Art  Gallery,  for 
aid  in  securing  photostats  and  for  other  courtesies;  Dr.  Fiske 
Kimball,  for  valuable  assistance;  Mrs.  Helen  Bullock,  for  sug- 
gestions from  her  wide  knowledge  of  Jefferson  manuscripts; 
my  colleagues.  Dr.  Bernard  Mayo  and  Dr.  C.  William  Miller, 
for  a critical  reading  of  the  manuscript;  Mrs.  Ida  D.  Swindler, 
for  typing  and  checking  the  manuscript;  and  my  wife,  Mary 
Hall  Betts,  for  designing  and  drawing  the  paper  jacket  of  the 
Garden  Book  and  assisting  me  in  Innumerable  ways. 

Finally  I wish  to  express  my  deep  gratitude  to  the  American 
Philosophical  Society  which  made  this  publication  possible.  It 
was  this  Society  that  welcomed  Jefferson  to  membership  in 
1780.  During  the  following  forty-six  years  he  was  respec- 
tively a Councilor  of  the  society,  its  Vice  President,  and  from 
1797  to  1815  its  President.  In  18 18  he  was  again  elected  a 
Councilor  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  his  death  in  1826. 
While  a member  of  the  Society  Jefferson  took  an  active  part 
in  its  meetings.  He  contributed  papers  to  the  Transactions, 
gave  fossils  and  other  objects  of  natural  history  to  the  cabinet, 
and  books  to  the  library.  Since  he  contributed  so  generously 
to  the  life  of  the  society  and  served  it  so  selflessly  for  many 
years,  it  is  fitting  that  in  the  bicentennial  year  of  his  birth  the 
society  should  honor  him  by  publishing  the  Garden  Book  in 
its  Memoirs. 

E.  M.  B. 

University  of  Virginia 
Charlottesville,  Virginia 
Srpfemher  20, 1943  >■ 

’ Because  of  government  restrictions  on  the  use  of  paper,  publication 
of  this  work  has  been  deferred  of  necc}.sitv  until  1944. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Preface  v 

Illustrations  xiii 

Garden  Book  for  the  Years  1766— 1824,  with  relevant  ex- 
tracts from  Jefferson’s  Other  Writings 

Early  Years  (1766-1775)  i 

Revolutionary  Period  (1776-1783)  69 

Minister  to  France  (1784-1789)  103 

Secretary  of  State  ( 1790-1793)  148 

Monticello  Interlude  (1794-1796)  ao8 

Vice  President  (1797—1800)  253 

President  (1801-1808)  273 

Retirement  (1809-1826)  385 

Appendix  I 

Jefferson’s  Summary  of  His  Meteorological  Journal 
for  the  Years  1810  through  1816  at  Monticello  . . . 622 
Appendix  11 

The  Water  Supply  at  Monticello 629 

Appendix  III 

Extract  of  a Letter  to  Anthony  Giannini 632 

A List  of  Plants  Sent  by  Jefferson  from  Paris  about 

1786  to  Francis  Eppes 634 

A Memorandum,  Probably  Left  to  Edmund  Bacon, 

about  1808  or  1809 635 

Extract  of  a Letter  Written  to  Henry  S.  Randall  by 
Jefferson’s  Granddaughter,  Ellen  Randolph  Cool- 
idge  636 


XI 


Xll 


Contents 


PAGE 

Extracts  from  the  Diary  of  General  John  Hartwell 
Cocke,  of  Bremo,  Fluvanna  County,  Virginia  ....  637 

A Statement  of  the  Vegetable  Market  at  Washington  639 
Appendix  IV 

Jefferson’s  Scheme  for  a System  of  Agricultural  So- 
cieties, March,  18 1 1 640 

Appendix  V 

Jefferson’s  Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia:  Plants  . . . 644 
Appendix  VI 

Jefferson’s  Description  of  His  Mouldboard  of  Least 

Resistance  in  a Letter  to  Sir  John  Sinclair 649 

Appendix  VII 

Books  and  Pamphlets  on  Agriculture,  Gardening,  and 

Botany  in  the  Library  of  Thomas  Jefferson 655 

Bibliography  663 

Index  667 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Thomas  Jefferson,  from  thp  Painting  by  Thomas  Sully 

Frontispiece 


PLATE  FACIKO  PACE 

I.  Page  I of  the  Original  Garden  Book 2 

II.  Jefferson’s  Original  GtffiiifMjBoo/fe,  1766-1824  3 

III.  Plan  of  the  Monticello  House  and  Rectangu- 

lar Flower  Beds,  Prior  to  1772 34 

IV.  Page  14  of  the  Original  Garden  Book  . , . . . 50 

V.  Jefferson’s  Earliest  Plan  of  the  Vegetable 

Garden  51 

VI.  The  Location  of  Jefferson’s  Vegetable  Gar- 
den and  Orchard  as  It  Appears  Today  . . 66 

VII.  Jefferson’s  Plan  of  the  Orchard,  1778 67 

VIII.  Jefferson’s  Memorandum  of  the  State  of  the 

Fruit  Trees,  1778 8a 

IX.  General  Plan  of  Monticello 83 

X.  Page  25  of  the  Original  Garden  Book 94 

XI.  The  Drawing  of  Jefersonia  diphylla  by  Ben- 

jamin Smith  Barton 17a 

XII.  Page  28  of  the  Original  Garden  Book 173 

XIII.  Jefferson’s  Survey  of  the  Fields  on  the  Side 

of  Monticello  Mountain,  1794 ao8 


XIV.  Plat  of  the  Road  to  Secretary’s  Ford,  1794  209 

XV.  Jefferson’s  Survey  of  the  Fields  at 1794  ai8 

XVI.  Notes  on  Areas  of  Fields  at  Monticello  and 

Rotation  of  Crops  in  Them,  about  1794— 


95  • ai9 

XVII.  Page  30  of  the  Original  Garden  Book aa6 

XVIIL  Jefferson’s  Memorandum  for  the  Northwest 

Offices  and  Icehouse 227 

XIX.  Jefferson’s  Plans  for  a Garden  or  Pleasure 

Grounds,  about  1804 292 

»ii 


XIV 


Illustrations 


PLATE  FACING  PAGE 

XX.  Jefferson’s  General  Ideas  for  the  Improve- 
ment of  Mo«/icci/o,  about  1804 293 

XXI.  Jefferson’s  Plan  of  the  Top  of  Monticello 

Mountain,  1806 316 

XXII.  Jefferson’s  Plan  of  Monticello  Estate,  1806  317 

XXIII.  Jefferson’s  Plan  of  the  Oval  and  Round 

Flower  Beds,  1807 334 

XXIV.  Jefferson's  Plan  of  the  Winding  or  Round- 
about Walk,  Flower  Borders,  and  Beds, 

1807  335 

XXV.  Jefferson’s  Plan  of  the  Winding  Walk  or 

Round-about  Walk  on  the  Western  Lawn  356 

XXVI.  Jefferson’s  Plan  for  Laying  off  Lots  for 
Minor  Articles  of  Husbandry,  and  Turn- 
ing the  Side  of  the  Mountain  into  a Ferme 

ornee,  1808  357 

XXVII.  Jefferson’s  Plan  for  Laying  off  Lots  for  the 
Minor  Articles  of  Husbandry,  and  for  a 
Ferme  ornee,  in  Relation  to  the  Other 
' Parts  of  the  Monticello  Mountaintop  ...  384 
XXVIII.  The  Western  or  Rear  Entrance  to  the  Mon- 


ticello House  385 

XXIX.  Page  35  of  the  Orig’inal  Garden  Book  ....  398 

XXX.  Plan  of  the  Upper  Part  of  Monticello  Moun- 
tain, 1809 399 

XXXI.  Page  40  of  the  Original  Garden  Book 420 

XXXII.  Jefferson’s  Plan  of  the  Orchard  and  Garden, 

about  i8ii  421 

XXXIII.  Page  45  of  the  Original  Garden  Book: 

“Arrangement  of  the  Garden,"  1812  ....  474 

XXXIV.  Page  48  of  the  Original  Garden  Book 475 

XXXV.  The  Western  Lawn  and  House  of  Monticello  538 


XXXVI.  East  View  of  Poplar  Forest,  Showing  the 

Main  House,  Kitchen^  and  Smokehouse  . . 608 


MONTICELLO 


I remember  you  told  me  when  we  parted,  you  would  come  to  see  me 
at  Monticello.  and  tho’  I believe  this  to  be  impossible,  I have  been 
planning  what  I would  shew  you : a flower  here,  a tree  there ; yonder 
a grove,  near  it  a fountain;  on  this  side  a hill,  on  that  a river,  indeed 
madam,  I know  nothing  so  charming  as  our  own  country,  the  learned 
say  it  is  a new  creation ; and  I believe  them ; not  for  their  reasons,  but 
because  it  is  made  on  an  improved  plan.  Europe  is  a first  idea,  a crude 
production,  before  the  maker  knew  his  trade,  or  had  made  up  his  mind 
as  to  what  he  wanted. 

Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Angelica  Church 

Pam,  February  77,  77SS 


GARDENING 

I have  often  thought  that  if  heaven  had  given  me  choice  of  my  po- 
sition and  calling,  it  should  have  been  on  a rich  spot  of  earth,  well 
watered,  and  near  a good  market  for  the  productions  of  the  garden.  No 
occupation  is  so  delightful  to  me  as  the  culture  of  the  earth,  and  no  cul- 
ture comparable  to  that  of  the  garden.  Such  a variety  of  subjects,  some 
one  always  comming  to  perfection,  the  failure  of  one  thing  repaired  by 
the  success  of  another,  and  instead  of  one  harvest  a continued  one  through 
the  year.  Under  a total  want  of  demand  except  for  our  family  table,  I 
am  still  devoted  to  the  garden.  But  though  an  old  man,  I am  but  a 
3'oung  gardener. 

Jefferson  to  Charles  Willson  Peale 

Poplar  Forest,  August  20,  18 ii 


AGRICULTURE 

Those  who  labour  in  the  earth  are  the  chosen  people  of  God,  if  ever 
he  had  a chosen  people,  whose  breasts  he  has  made  his  peculiar  de- 
posit for  substantial  and  genuine  virtue.  It  is  the  focus  in  which  he 
keeps  alive  that  sacred  fire,  which  otherwise  might  escape  from  the  face 
of  the  earth.  Corruption  of  morals  in  the  mass  of  cultivators  is  a phae- 
nomenon  of  which  no  age  nor  nation  has  furnished  an  example. 

Jefferson 

Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia,  1787 


\']66 

1766  ^ Shadwell  “ 

Mar.  30.  Purple  hyacinth  ® begins  to  bloom. 

Apr.  - 6.  Narcissus  ‘ and  Puckoon  * open. 

13.  Puckoon  flowers  fallen. 

16.  a bluish  colored,  funnel-formed  flower  * in  low- 
grounds  in  bloom. 

30.  purple  flag^  blooms.  Hyacinth  & Narcissus 
gone. 

May.  4.  Wild  honeysuckle*  in  our  woods  open. — also 
the  Dwarf  flag  * & Violets.” 

7.  blue  flower  in  low  grounds  vanished.” 

II.  the  purple  flag,  Dwarf  flag,  Violet  & wild 
Honeysuckle  still  in  bloom,  went  journey  to 
Maryland,  Pennsylva,  New  York,  so  observa- 
tions cease  ” 


* 1^66.  Jefferson  reached  his  twenty-third  birthday  on 
April  13,  1766.  He  had  already  passed  through  many  experi- 
ences, some  of  which  were  to  have  a profound  influence  on  his 
future  life.  When  he  was  two  years  old,  his  family  moved  to 
Tuckahoe,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  James  River  a few  miles 
above  Richmond,  the  home  of  his  father’s  late  friend.  Colonel 
William  Randolph,  where  at  five  he  was  placed  in  an  English 
Schobl.  On  the  return  of  the  family  to  Shadwell,  he  attended 


I 


2 


jErrEusoN’s  Garden  Book 


[1766 


the  school  of  Mr.  William  Douglas,  a Scotch  clergyman,  re- 
maining there  until  his  father’s  death,  four  years  later.  Dur- 
ing the  following  years  he  was  a pupil  in  the  school  of  the 
Reverend  James  Maury,  located  in  Louisa  County,  fourteen 
miles  from  Shadwell,  The  greater  part  of  the  next  seven 
years,  1760— 1767,  Jefferson  spent  in  Williamsburg,  attending 
the  College  of  William  and  Mary  during  the  first  two,  and 
spending  the  next  five  in  the  study  of  law  under  his  friend, 
George  Wythe. 

He  became  of  age  in  1764.  In  the  autumn  of  1765  he  lost 
his  favorite  sister,  Jane.  They  had  often  roamed  together 
over  the  fields  and  hills  of  Shadwell,  observing  and  gathering 
the  spring  flowers.  So  this  spring  of  1766  was  a poignant 
one  for  Jefferson  as  he  recorded  the  blooming  and  the  disap- 
pearing of  the  flowers  in  his  garden  and  the  fields  about  him. 
Little  is  known  of  his  life  during  1766,  except  as  recorded  in 
his  Garden  Book  and  in  his  letters  to  John  Page. 

* Shadwell  is  located  in  Albemarle  County,  Virginia,  near 
the  city  of  Charlottesville.  It  was  the  home  of  Peter  Jeffer- 
son and  his  wife,  Jane  Randolph,  and  was  named  Shadwell 
after  the  London  parish  where  Jane  was  born.  Ten  children 
were  born  to  Peter  and  Jane  Jefferson.  The  six  daughters 
were  Jane,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Martha,  Lucy,  and  Anna  Scott; 
the  four  sons,  Thomas,  Peter  Field,  a son  still-born,  and  Ran- 
dolph. Thomas,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  at  Shadwell  on 
April  2,  1743,  old  style,  or  April  13,  1743,  by  the  present 
calendar. 

Shadwell,  a weather-boarded  house,  was  Jefferson’s  home 
until  it  burned  on  February  i,  1770.  The  following  No- 
vember he  moved  to  Monticello,  his  home  for  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  All  that  is  known  about  the  flower  garden  at 
Shadwell  is  that  there  were  flower  beds  numbered  from  I to 

ri-c. 

* Hyacinthus  orientalis  L. 

* Probably  Narcissus  jonquUla  L. 

* Satiguinaria  canadensis  L.  Now  commonly  called  blood- 
root. 

•Probably  Mertertsia  virginica  DC.,  Virginia  bluebells. 
This  plant  grows  in  the  alluvial  soil  of  the  Rivanna  River, 
which  flows  through  the  Shadwell  estate. 


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VzxtB  lI.-^eS«noa’t  origiiul  Gatdtn  Book,  1766-18041  no'xr  in  poeBenion  of  the 
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bf  160  cm,  It  epntidiit  i j8  leavet,  of  wt^  33  an  jBUed  with  Jeffenoa^t  notes  and 
12$  ue  bfank.  The  pages  an  not- numbered  after  49.  Paget  33, 34,  37,  and  38  are 


1766] 


Jeffbuson’s  Garden  Book 


3 


^ Iris  sp. 

^Rhododendron  nudiflorutn  (L.)  Torr.  This  shrub  grows 
in  abundance  in  the  woods  around  Shadwell. 

“ Iris  cristata  Ait.  The  dwarf  iris  grows  in  large  patches 
near  Shadwell  and  makes  a lovely  carpet  on  the  forest  floor  of 
Monticello  Mountain. 

“ Viola  L.  The  following  species  of  Viola  grow  around 
Shadwell  and  Monticello:  Vtola  cucidlata  Ait.,  V.  scabriuscula 
Schwein.,  V.  striata  Ait.,  V.  palmata  L.,  V.  pedata  L.,  V, 
canadensis  L.,  V.  hastata  Michx.,  V.  rafinesquii  Greene, 

“ Twenty-two  days,  the  blooming  period  of  the  blue  flower 
in  the  low  grounds.  This  kind  of  observation  was  of  con- 
siderable interest  to  Jefferson.  It  will  be  noticed  many  times 
in  the  Garden  Book. 

This  was  Jefferson’s  first  visit  to  Maryland,  Pennsylvania, 
and  New  York.  He  was  in  Annapolis  when  the  people  were 
celebrating  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act.  Here  also,  he  ob- 
served the  houses  and  gardens  and  wrote  to  his  friend,  John 
Page ; “The  situation  of  the  place  is  extremely  beautiful,  and 
very  commodious.  . . . The  houses  are  in  general  better  than 
those  at  Williamsburg,  but  the  gardens  are  more  indifferent.’’ 
In  Philadelphia  he  stopped  to  be  inoculated  for  the  smallpox. 
At  New  York  he  lodged  at  the  same  boarding-house  with  El- 
bridge  Gerry  from  Massachusetts,  who,  with  Jefferson,  was  to 
play  a leading  role  in  the  new  Republic.  He  seems  to  have 
made  most  of  the  journey  in  his  one-horse  chair. 


1767 


1767  ^ 

Feb.  20.  sowed  a bed  of  forwardest  and  a bed  of  midling 
peas.® 

*500.  of  these  peas  weighed  3“—!  8**®.*  about 
2500.  fill  a pint.* 

Mar.  9.  both  beds  of  peas  up. 

15.  planted  asparagus  seed  ‘ in  5.  beds  of  4.f.  width. 
4.  rows  in  each.* 

17.  sowed  a bed  of  forwardest  peas,  and  a bed  of 
the  latest  of  all.® 

23.  Purple  Hyacinth  & Narcissus  bloom.® 

sowed  2.  rows  of  Celery  9. 1,  apart.® 

sowed  2 rows  of  Spanish  onions  & 2.d“.  of  Let- 
tuce.®* 

Apr.  I.  peas  of  Mar.  17.  just  appearing. 

2.  sowed  Carnations,®*  Indian  pink,®*  Marygold,®* 
Globe  amaranth,®*  Auricula,®*  Double  balsam,®® 
Tricolor,®*  Dutch  violet,®®  Sensitive  plant,*® 
Cockscomb,  a flower  like  the  Prince’s  feather,*® 
Lathyrus.** 

planted  Lilac,®*  Spanish  broom,**  Umbrella,** 
Laurel,®*  Almonds,®’  Muscle  plumbs,**  Cay- 
enne pepper.*®  12.  cuttings  of  Goosberries.*® 


4 


1767] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


5 

4.  planted  suckers  of  Roses,  seeds  of  Althaea  & 
Prince’s  feather” 

6.  planted  lillies  & wild  honeysuckles  ” 

7.  planted  strawberry  roots.” 

9.  sowed  3.  rows  of  Celery,  2 d".  of  Lettuce — 2 d*. 
of  Radish.” 

Lunaria  ” in  full  bloom. 

16.  Sweet  Williams  ” begin  to  open. 

24.  forwardest  peas  of  Feb.  20.  come  to  table  ” 

25.  Asparagus  3.  inches  high,  and  branched.** 

Feathered  hyacinth”  in  bloom,  also  Sweet 
Williams. 

a pink  in  bed  VI.c.“  blooming. 

Lunaria  still  in  bloom,  an  indifferent  flower.” 

May.  27,  sowed  Lettuce,  Radish,  Broccoli,”  & Cauli- 
flower.” 

28.  Flower-de  luces  just  opening." 

*strawberries  come  to  table,  note  this  is  the 
first  year  of  their  bearing  having  been  planted 
in  the  spring  of  1766.  and  on  an  average  the 
plants  bear  20.  strawberries  each.  100  fill  half 
a pint." 

forwardest  peas  of  March  17.  come  to  table." 

latest  peas  of  Feb.  20.  will  come  to  table  within 
about  4.  days." 

Snap-dragon  " blooming. 


6 


Jeffjsrsom’s  Garden  Book 


[1767 


June.  4.  Larkspur™  & Lychnis” 
bloom  & Poppies  ™ 

10.  Pinks  “ & Hollyhocks  “ 

bloom.  .by  information  of 

mfs  Carr.” 

12.  Carnations  bloom.*® 

1 8.  Argemone  ®*  put  out  one 
flower. 

July.  5.  larger  Poppy  has  vanished — Dwarf  poppy  still 
in  bloom  but  on  the  decline,  pinks  V.c.  just 
disappear. — pinks  in  VI.c."  still  shew  a few. 

Carnations  in  full  life — Larkspur,  Lychnis  in 
bloom. — a few  hollyhocks  remaining — Eastern 
mallow  almost  vanished,  an  indifferent  flower.®* 

*Col6  Moore*®  tells  me  a hill  of  artichokes” 
generally  bears  8.  of  a year,  and  they  continue 
in  season  about  6.  weeks. 

18.  Lesser  poppy  still  blooming — pinks  V.c.  a few. 
— ^pinks  VI.c.  a few. — a few  Carnations. — 
Larkspur  in  bloom. — Eastern  mallow  & Lych- 
nis in  bloom. — Mirabilis”  just  opened,  very 
clever. — ^Argemone,  one  flower  out.  this  is  y* 
4“  y*  year 

31.  Cucumbers  “ come  to  table. 

Aug,  1.  inoculated  May  cherry**  buds  into  4.  stocks  of 
unknown  kind. 

2.  inoculated  English  walnut  **  buds  into  stocks  of 
the  Black  walnut. 

3.  inoculated  common  cherry  buds  into  stocks  of 
large  kind  at  Monticello.®* 


7 


1767]  jEFXfERSON’s  GaRDKN  BoOK 

Nov.  22.  *8  or  10.  bundles  of  fodder  are  as  much  as  a 
horse  will  generally  eat  thro’  the  night.  9 
bundles  X 130.  days  ==  1 170.  for  the  winter.*’' 

■ 


^ Jefferson  was  introduced  to  the  practice  of  law  at 

the  bar  of  the  General  Court  of  Virginia  in  1767  by  George 
Wythe.  According  to  his  Account  Book  lySy—i^yo,  in  which 
he  registered  his  law  cases,  he  was  employed  during  the  year 
in  68  cases,  taking  him  in  the  fall  quarter  alone  to  Staunton, 
Orange  Court  House,  Culpeper  Court  House,  Winchester, 
Fauquier  Court  House,  and  Richmond.  Yet,  despite  these 
frequent  absences  from  home,  he  took  an  increasingly  active 
interest  In  his  flower  and  vegetable  gardens. 

* Many  varieties  of  the  pea,  Pisttm  sativum  L.,  are  men- 
tioned in  the  Garden  Book.  Forwardest  and  Middling  were 
the  earliest  varieties  of  this  species  and  were  probably  varia- 
tions of  the  Charlton  Hotspur.  (See  Garden  Book,  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1768.)  Peas  were  Jefferson’s  favorite  vegetable. 

* Table  of  Troy  Weight 

24  grains  (gr.)  = i pennyweight  (dwt.) 

20  pennyweights  = i ounce  (oz.  t.)  =480  grains 

12  ounces  = i pound  (Ib.  t.)  =240  pennyweights  = 5,760  grains. 

* Another  kind  of  detailed  observation  which  delighted  Jef- 
ferson. It  is  noted  in  all  of  his  memorandum  books,  account 
books,  and  Farm  Book,  as  well  as  in  letters  and  the  Garden 
Book.  Observations  of  this  kind  in  the  last  two  centuries  re- 
veal to  us  today  just  how  much  has  been  accomplished  in  im- 
proving fruits,  seeds,  and  vegetables. 

* Asparagus  officinalis  L. 

* Like  the  flower  garden  at  Shadwell,  there  is  no  plan  known 
for  the  vegetable  garden.  This  entry  indicates  that  the  gar- 
den was  divided  into  beds  of  a definite  size  and  also  that  the 
beds  were  planted  in  rows. 

^ Another  variety  of  Pisum  sativum  L. 

* Compared  with  the  blooming  record  of  1766,  purple  hya- 
cinth and  narcissus  bloomed  seven  days  earlier.  One  of  Jef- 
ferson’s objects  in  keeping  a record  of  the  garden  activities 


8 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1767 


was  to  make  a comparative  study  of  the  blooming,  the  fruit- 
ing, the  time  the  different  articles  came  to  the  table,  and  their 
disappearance.  These  discrete  observations  were  summarized 
many  years  later,  so  that  he  had  an  accurate  tabulation  of  the 
vegetables,  fruits,  and  flowers  at  Shadwell  and  Monticello, 

® Apium  graveolens  L.  var.  dulce  DC.  On  account  of  the 
hot  summers  very  little  celery  is  raised  in  Albemarle  County 
today. 

“ Allium  cepa  L.  Spanish  onion,  any  of  several  varieties 
of  large-bulbed,  mild-flavored  onions;  in  the  United  States 
originally  applied  only  to  imported  stock  but  now  used  more 
broadly. 

” Lactuca  sativa  L. 

Dianthus  caryophyllus  L.  Although  the  records  do  not 
show  where  Jefferson  got  these  seeds,  most  of  them  were  prob- 
ably given  to  him  by  neighbors  and  acquaintances  on  his  many 
trips. 

” A species  of  either  Dianthus  L.  or  Silene  L. 

^*Tagetes  sp. 

“ Gomphrena  glohosa  L. 

“ Primula  auricula  L.,  yellow-flowered  primrose. 

Impatiens  balsamina  L. 

Probably  Viola  tricolor  L.,  pansy. 

Dutch  violet.  Unidentified. 

Mimosa  pudica  L. 

“ Celosia  argentea  L.  No  doubt  one  lacking  fasciation. 

Either  Lathyrus  odoratus  L.,  sweet  pea,  or  L.  latifoHus 
L.,  everlasting  pea. 

Syringa  vulgaris  L. 

^*Spartium  junceum  Lam. 

**  Magnolia  tripetala  L.  A native  deciduous  magnolia. 

**  May  be  either  Rhododendron  maximum  L.,  great  laurel, 
or  Kalmia  latifolia  L.,  mountain  laurel.  The  native  moun- 
tain folk  often  call  rhododendron  “laurel.” 

” PruHus  communis  Fritsch.  ■ 

**  Muscle  plumbs.  Unidentified. 

*•  Capsicum  frutescens  L.  var.  longum  Bailey. 

*“  Probably  Rihes  grossularia  L.,  English  gooseberry. 

“ Hibiscus  syriacus  L.  Rose-of-Sharon. 

**  Amaranthus  hybridus  L.  var.  hypochondriacus  Bailey.  * 


1767] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


9 


*®  Rhododendron  nudiflorum  Torr. 

Fragaria  sp.  and  var. 

**  Raphanus  sativus  L. 

Lunaria  annua  L. 

Dianthus  barbatus  L. 

®*  Forwardest  peas,  planted  on  February  20,  came  up  on 
March  9 ; they  were  ready  for  the  table  on  April  24,  a total  of 
64  days  from  planting  to  eating. 

®®  This  asparagus  was  planted  on  March  1 5.  Asparagus 
seeds  are  rarely  planted  today  by  gardeners.  New  beds  are 
made  by  planting  roots. 

Muscari  comosum  var.  monstrosum  L.  When  JefEerson 
moved  to  Monticello,  he  carried  plants  of  feathered  hyacinths 
with  him.  The  descendants  of  these  plants  are  still  growing 
in  the  fields  on  top  of  the  mountain. 

“ The  first  indication  that  the  flower  beds  at  Shadwell  were 
numbered  in  a definite  way. 

"Jefferson  often  gave  expression  to  his  personal  taste  in 
flowers. 

*®  Brassica  oleracea  var.  botrytis  L. 

**  Identified  with  no.  43. 

*®  Fleur-de-lis,  flag.  A general  name  for  several  species  of 
Iris  L.  Since  the  blooming  period  of  this  flower  is  nearly  a 
month  later  than  that  mentioned  in  the  spring  of  1766,  it  is 
probably  a different  species  or  variety  of  Iris, 

“ So  greatly  have  strawberries  increased  in  site  since  this 
observation  was  made  that  today  15  strawberries  often  fill  one 
half-pint. 

" Peas  of  March  17  appeared  above  ground  on  April  l. 
They  came  to  the  table  on  May  28,  a total  of  73  days  from 
time  of  planting  to  eating. 

®®  February  20  to  June  2,  103  days  for  this  variety  of  pea 
to  come  to  table. 

" Antirrhinum  majus  L. 

®®  Delphinium  sp. 

Lychnis  sp.,  catchfly. 

®®  Papaver  sp. 

®*  Dianthus  L.  Probably  Dianthus  plumarius  L. 

®*  Althaea  rosea  Cav. 

The  carnation  seeds  were  sown  on  April  2,  a total  of  72 
days  from  sowing  to  blooming. 


lO  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1767 

Argemone  L.  Probably  Argemone  grandiflora  Sweet, 
often  called  prickly  poppy. 

" Mrs.  Carr,  whose  maiden  name  was  Martha,  was  the 
fourth  sister  of  Jeifcrson.  She  was  married  to  Dabney  Carr, 
Jefferson’s  inseparable  friend,  on  July  20,  1765.  He  died  on 
May  16,  1773,  leaving  a widow,  three  sons,  and  three  daugh- 
ters. Jefferson  took  the  entire  family  into  his  home  and 
reared  and  educated  the  children  as  his  own.  (See  Henry  S. 
Randall,  The  Life  of  Thomas  Jefferson  (3  v.,  New  York, 
1858),  i:  82-84.  Hereafter  cited  as  Randall,  Jefferson.) 

**  FI~c,  refers  to  the  number  of  one  of  the  flower  beds. 

""Probably  one  of  the  mallows  {Hibiscus  sp.)  grown  from 
seed  collected  at  Williamsburg.  Mallows  are  abundant  in  the 
swamps  around  Williamsburg. 

•“Bernard  Moore,  born  in  1720,  was  a son  of  Colonel  Au- 
gustine Moore,  of  Chelsea,  King  William  County,  and  Eliza- 
beth Todd,  his  wife.  He  was  a justice  and  a colonel  of  the 
militia  in  King  William  County  and  served  as  burgess  for  the 
county  from  1744  to  1758  and  from  1761  to  1772.  He 
married  Anna  Catherine  Spotswood,  daughter  of  Governor 
Alexander  Spotswood.  (See  Lyon  G.  Tyler,  Encyclopedia  of 
Virginia  Biography  (3  v.,  New  York,  191J),  1:294.  Here- 
after cited  as  Tyler,  Virginia  Biography.)  Jefferson  often 
visited  his  friend,  Colonel  Moore,  on  his  trips  to  Williams- 
burg. 

“ Cynara  scolymus  L.  Since  only  a few  gardeners  grow 
artichokes  in  Albemarle  County  today,  one  has  difficulty  deter- 
mining the  number  of  artichokes  a hill  bears. 

•*  Mirahilis  jalapa  L.  Often  called  four-o’ clocks  or  marvel- 
of-Peru. 

**  Cucumis  sativus  L.  No  mention  is  made  of  the  planting 
date. 

**  May  cherry.  In  A.  J.  Downing’s  The  Fruits  and  Fruit 
Trees  of  America  (New  York  and  Boston,  1846),  the  May 
cherry  is  placed  under  the  Morello  variety  of  cherries.  He 
describes  it  as  one  of  the  smallest,  as  well  as  the  earliest,  of 
cherries.  The  tree  is  very  small  and  dwarfish,  growing 
scarcely  more  than  8 feet  high.  The  fruit  is  small,  round, 
slightly  flattened,  the  stalk  an  inch  long,  rather  slender,  and 
pretty  deeply  set.  The  skin  is  pale  red,  or,  at  maturity,  a 
rather  lively  red,  with  the  flesh  soft,  juicy,  and  quite  acid. 


1767] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


II 


English  walnut,  Juglans  regia  L. ; black  walnut,  Juglans 
nigra  L.  Jefferson  rarely  recorded  the  results  of  this  kind  of 
experiment.  In  the  Eastern  States,  where  the  English  walnut 
is  not  grown  commercially,  the  Paradox,  a hybrid  between  the 
black  walnut  and  the  English  walnut,  is  used  for  the  stock  of 
the  English  walnut  today.  (See  Farmers'  Bulletin  1501,  Au- 
gust, 1926.)  Michaux  wrote:  “By  grafting  the  European 
upon  the  American  species  at  the  height  of  8 or  10  feet,  their 
advantages,  with  respect  to  the  quality  of  wood  and  of  fruit, 
might  be  united.”  (See  Cuthbert  W.  Johnson,  The  Farm- 
er's and  Planter's  Encyclopedia  (New  York,  1855) : 1103.) 

This  is  the  earliest  mention  of  Monticello  in  all  the  writ- 
ings of  Jefferson.  Just  when  he  decided  to  name  his  new 
home  Monticello  is  not  known. 

If  Jefferson,  in  his  conversations  with  others,  found  they 
displayed  sound  judgment  and  knowledge  of  the  subject,  he 
entered  the  information  in  one  or  more  of  his  memorandum 
books  for  future  reference.  This  entry,  which  appears  to  be 
an  original  observation,  reveals  his  interest  in  farming  opera- 
tions and  management. 


1768 


1768" 

Feb.  24.  sowed  a patch  of  early  peas,  having  first  soaked 
them.  Charlton  Hotspur.®  ’'•500.  of  these  peas 
weighed  2000  filled  a pint  accurately. 

Mar.  5.  sowed  a patch  of  Spanish  Marotto  peas.® 

14.  peas  of  Feb.  24.  just  appearing.* 

28.  peas  of  Mar.  5.  just  appearing.* 


" 1768.  Jefierson  continued  the  practice  of  law  during 
1768.  He  was  employed  in  115  cases,  with  a total  profit  of 
£304  83.  5d.  (See  Account  Book  1767-1770;  also  Randall, 
Jefferson  1:  47-48.) 

Jefferson  was  absent  from  Shadwell  a considerable  part  of 
the  year.  He  went  to  Williamsburg  for  several  visits,  at- 
tended to  law  cases  at  Staunton,  and  paid  social  visits  to  Rose- 
toell,  Colonel  Moore’s  Chelsea,  Duncastle,  Greenspring,  and 
Gloucester.  While  at  Williamsburg  he  not  only  attended  to 
his  law  duties,  but  also  enjoyed  the  playhouse,  musicals,  and 
other  gayeties  of  the  capital. 

The  Garden  Book  has  only  four  entries  for  the  year,  all  of 
them  made  in  early  spring.  Although  Jefferson  had  little 
time  to  record  the  garden  activities  at  Shadwell,  his  mind  was 
constantly  on  his  new  home,  Monticello,  He  made  specifica- 
tions for  his  new  house  {Account  Book  1767—1770:  26-27) 
and  made  a contract  for  leveling  the  top  of  his  mountain: 

May  15,  Agreed  with  mf  Moore  that  he  shall  level  350  f.  square  on 
the  tep  of  the  mountain  at  the  N.  E.  end  by  Christmas,  for  which  I am 
to  give  180  bushels  of  wheat,  and  24  bushels  of  corn,  xa  of  which  are 


12 


1768] 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


not  to  be  paid  till  corn  comes  in.  if  there  should  be  any  solid  rock  to 
dig  we  will  leave  to  indifferent  men  to  settle  that  part  between  us. 

He  also  bought  quarts  of  seeds  to  be  planted  at  Shadwell  and 
Monticello.  The  following  entries  from  the  Account  Book 
indicate  the  large  number  of  seeds  purchased  dur- 
ing the  year : 

June  15.  p'*.  F.  Foxcroft  [of  Williamsburg]  46/  to  purchase  white 
clover  seed  in  Philadelphia. 

June  30.  purchased  of  Sandy  13^  q^*.  goose-grass  seed  for  27/. 

July  n.  purchased  at  Myrtilla  2 q**.  of  G.[oose]  Grass  seeds  for  4/. 
July  12.  bought  of  N.  Meriwether’s  Anthony  5.  q‘*.  & J pint  d“.  for 
10/6. 

Aug.  4.  bo‘.  of  N.  Meriwether’s  Anthony  2 q“.  white  clover  seed 
for  4/.  • ' 

Aug.  7.  bo‘.  of  Harry  sj  q**.  G.  grass  seed,  and  pints  clover  seed 
12/6. 

“ “ , bo‘.  of  Phill  3 q‘“,  G.  grass  seed  6/. 

'*  “ . bo‘.  of  N.  Meriwether’s  Patrick  2 q“.  clover  seed.  4/ 

" “ 2 d".  G.  grass  seeds.  4/. 

“ " Anthony  2 d“.  clover  4/. 

“ “ Thom  3^  pints  G.  grass  3/6. 

Aug.  24.  bo‘.  of  N.  Meriwether’s  Anthony  5 pints  clover  S/. 

“ 28.  bo‘.  of  N.  M.'s  Patrick  17  pints  clover  17/. 

Sept.  13.  mem.  I have  now  of  clover  seeds  23  q**,  4 p*.  -f  11.9  q'*  = 
34  q*'.  I pt. 

Nov.  21.  p**.  Sandy  in  full  for  seed  20/. 

* The  Messrs.  Lawson  say  that  Hotspur  dates  back  to  1670;  and  the 
name  in  some  of  its  modifications  continued  for  at  least  a century.  Some 
of  the  Hotspurs  or  “Hots”  headed  the  list  of  earlier  peas  during  most  of 
the  century,  but  about  1750  the  variety,  or  the  name,  “Early  Charlton,” 
from  the  "Charlton  Hotspur,”  became  common,  and  remained  popular 
until  displaced  by  Early  Frame  about  1770.  (U.  P.  Hedrick,  Peas  of 
New  York  (Albany,  pt.  I,  1928) : 22.  Hereafter  cited  as  Hedrick, 
Peas.) 

There  are  the  Charlton  hotspur,  Reading  hotspur,  and  Master  hot- 
spur, but  are  very  little  different  from  one  another.  These  are  the 
earliest,  and  are  reckoned  much  preferable  in  flavor  to  any  other  kind, 
. . . The  Charlton  and  Marrowfats  may  be  sown  at  the  same  time: 
some  people  soak  their  Peas  before  sowing,  but  this  often  turns  out  un- 
successfully, for  in  a wet  season  they  are  apt  to  rot.  (John  Randolph, 
Jt.,  A Treatise  on  Gardening  (Marjorie  F,  Warner  ed.)  (Richmond, 
3d  ed.,  1924)  : 39-40.  Hereafter  cited  as  Randolph,  Gardening.  Ran- 
dolph’s book  was  probably  published  about  1765.  There  was  a copy  of 
it  in  Jefferson’s  library.) 


14 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1768 


* Spanish  Morotto  peas.  These  were  advertised  for  sale 
by  “William  Wills,  Chirurgeon  in  Richmond  Town,  and  John 
Donlevy  in  Petersburg  in  the  Virginia  Gazette  in  March,  1767 
& 1768."  (Randolph,  Gardening:  54.)  Jefferson  probably 
bought  his  seeds  from  one  of  them. 

* The  Charlton  Hotspur  requires  19  days  to  appear  above 
ground. 

" The  Spanish  Morotto  requires  24  days  to  appear  above 
ground. 


1769 

1769,^  Monticello.® 

Mar.  14.  planted  on  the  S.E.  side®  of  the  hill  as  follows. 

On  the  Ridge  beginning  at  the  bottom. 

I.  row  of  Pears.^  a^.f.  apart  12  in  a row. 
left  vacant. 

1.  row  of  d”.  ingrafted. 

2.  rows  of  cherries  intended  for  stocks  to  in- 
oculation. 

2.  of  New  York  apples®  ingrafted. 

I.  of  Peach*  stocks  for  inoculating  almonds.® 

I.  of  d®.  . . . for  d“.  . . . apricots® 

^ row  of  d”.  for  Nectarines.® — | row  of 
quinces.^® 

In  the  Hollow. 

1.  row  of  Pomegranates”  12J  f.  apart  12  in  a 
row. 

2.  d“.  of  figs.” 

I.  d®.  Peach  stocks  for  inoculating  Apricots. 

I.  d®.  Walnuts.” 

July.  27.  *a  bed  of  jnortar  which  makes  2000.  bricks 
takes  6.  hhds.  of  water” 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1769 


16 


*Nich“.  Meriwether^®  sais  that  30.  hills  of  Cu- 
cumbers 4.f.  apart  will  supply  a middling 
family  plentifully. 

*Nich.  Lewis  thinks  40.f.  square  of  water- 
melons” will  supply  a family  that  is  not  very 
large. 

*Millar’s  Card’s  diet®*  sais  that  50.  hills  of 
Cucumbers  will  yeild  400.  cucumbers  a week 
during  the  time  they  are  in  season,  which  he 
sais  is  5 weeks,  so  that  50  hills  will  yeild  2000, 
or  I.  hill  yeild  40.  cucumbers. 




^ 1769.  Jefferson  increased  his  law  practice  during  1769. 
He  was  employed  in  198  cases  and  received  £370  ns.  in 
fees.  (Randall,  Jeferson  i:  47-48.)  In  this  year  also  he 
was  elected  to  the  House  of  Burgesses,  convening  at  Williams- 
burg, where  he  was  soon  to  become  an  influential  member. 
While  in  Williamsburg  attending  to  his  duties,  he  had  time  for 
the  playhouse,  paid  Pelham  a/6  for  playing  on  the  organ,  “p®. 
for  seeing  a hog  weighing  more  than  1050  lbs,”  saw  a Puppet 
Show,  and  “p®.  for  seeing  a tyger  1/3.” 

In  spite  of  the  months  away  from  home  which  Jefferson’s 
new  oflice  required,  work  at  Monticello  moved  forward 
rapidly.  The  year  before,  John  Moore  had  leveled  the  top 
of  the  mountain.  This  year  the  actual  work  of  building  the 
new  house  began.  The  northeast  end  of  the  clearing  became 
the  site  of  the  house.  Jefferson  recorded  in  the  Account  Book 

1767-1770: 

four  good  fellows,  a lad  and  two  girls  of  ab‘.  16.  each  in  8J  hours  dug 
in  my  cellar  of  mountain  clay  a place  3 f.  deep,  8f.  wide  and  16^  f. 
Iong=r4.f  cubical  yds.  under  these  disadvantages,  to  wit;  a very 
cold  snowy  day  which  obliged  them  to  be  very  often  warming;  under  a 
coyer  of  planks,  so  low,  that  in  about  half  the  work  their  stroke  was  not 
more  than  § of  a good  one;  they  eat  their  breakfast  in  the  time  which 
one  of  them  went  to  cook;  they  were  obliged  to  keep  one  or  two  con- 
stantly hauling  away  the  earth  to  prevent  it’s  rolling  in  again,  from 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1769] 


17 


[this]  I think  a midling  hand  in  12.  hours  (including  his  breakfast) 
could  dig  & haul  away  the  earth  of  4 cubical  yds,  in  the  same  soil. 

This  cellar  became  the  basement  for  the  South  Pavilion,  the 
first  building  completed  at  Monticello, 

While  the  South  Pavilion  was  being  completed,  work  on  the 
grounds  was  moving  forward.  By  September  20,  1769,  Jef- 
ferson had  cleared  a park  on  the  north  side  of  his  mountain, 
1850  yards  in  circumference,  and  had  contracted  with  R.  Sor- 
rels to  mawl  8000  rails  for  him  by  Christmas,  for  which  he 
was  to  pay  him  20/  the  thousand.  They  were  ali-to  be  chest- 
nut, and  W.  Hickman  was  to  judge  if  any  of  them  were  bad. 
They  were  not  to  be  counted  until  put  up.  (Account  Book 
I767--I770.) 

The  well  was  also  begun  this  year.  The  same  Account 
Book  tells  us : 

in  digging  my  dry  well,  at  the  depth  of  14  f.  I observe  one  digger,  one 
filler,  one  drawer  at  the  windlace  with  a basket  at  each  end  of  his  rope 
very  accurately  gave  one  another  full  emploiment,  but  note  it  was  yellow 
rotten  stone  with  a great  many  hard  stones  as  large  as  a man’s  head  and 
some  larger,  or  else  the  digger  would  have  had  time  to  spare,  they  dug 
and  drew  out  8.  cubical  yds  in  a day. 

And  on  "Oct.  3,  W.  Beck  has  worked  in  the  well  46  days. 
We  are  to  settle  the  price.”  The  well  was  located  a little 
southeast  of  the  South  Pavilion.  (See  appendix  II.) 

During  the  late  summer  and  early  fall  of  the  year  Jefferson 
bought  over  85  quarts  of  clover  seed  from  his  neighbors  and 
others.  His  own  crops  of  dover  and  grass  were  successful, 
for  he  records;  "Sept.  7,  gathered  for  myself  this  year  8 q**. 
cloverseed,  also  52  + 18  = 70  qfs  goose  grass  seed”  (Ac- 
count Book  1767—1770). 

* Monticello  is  an  Italian  word  which  means  Little  Moun- 
tain. Its  origin  as  used  by  Jefferson  is  not  known.  As  men- 
tioned above,  the  first  use  of  it  in  all  of  his  surviving  manu- 
scripts was  in  the  Garden  Book  in  1767.  In  the  Account 
Book  1767-1770,  at  the  end  of  July,  1769,  he  used  a short- 
ened form  of  the  word,  Moncello,  as  if  not  quite  sure  what 


form  he  wished  to  use. 

July  31,  tob“.  made  at  Moncello  in  1768 978? 

W.  Hickman's  part  (a^  shares  out  of  i2|)  1727 

My  part  10^  shares 8060  lb. 


Note,  I think  another  year  I shall  allow  him  but  2.  shares. 


1 8 Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1769 

In  his  third  attempt  to  name  Little  Mountain,  he  hit  upon  the 
word  Hermitage;  but  he  had  no  sooner  written  that  word  than 
he  crossed  it  out  and  made  the  hnal  decision  to  call  his  estate 
Monticello.  {Account  Book  1767—1770.)  See  last  para- 
graph, 1770. 

* This  is  the  first  planting  plan  for  Monticello.  The  south- 
eastern exposure  was  an  ideal  one  for  fruit  trees.  The  fact 
that  he  planted  the  trees  25  feet  apart  showed  his  knowledge 
of  the  proper  spacing  of  fruit  trees.  (See  plate  VII  for  loca- 
tion of  these  trees.) 

* Pyrus  communis  L. 

® Malus  pumila  Mill. 

* Prunus  persica  Batsch. 

^ Prunus  communis  Arcang. 

* Prunus  armeniaca  L. 

® Prunus  persica  var.  nucipersica  Schneid. 

“ Cydonia  oblonga  Mill. 

“ Punica  granatum  L.  Pomegranates  are  rarely  grown  in 
Albemarle  today. 

Ficus  carica  L. 

Probably  Juglans  nigra  L.  for  inoculating  the  English 
walnut. 

Jefferson's  mountaintop  was  a busy  place  in  the  summer 
of  1769.  An  orchard  had  been  started,  a garden  was  in 
preparation,  and  bricks  were  being  made  by  the  thousands. 
Water  was  scarce.  The  only  source  of  it  was  the  springs  on 
the  sides  of  the  mountain.  The  well  was  probably  not  yet 
supplying  water.  It  was  therefore  important  for  Jefferson 
to  figure  accurately  the  amount  of  water  needed  for  making 
brick,  since  it  had  to  be  carried  a considerable  distance.  In 
the  Account  Book  1767-1770,  we  find;  “July  16,  Mem. 
George  Dudley  began  on  Friday  14th  inst.  about  my  brides. 
I am  to  give  him  3/  p*  1000  for  mould*  and  burning,  and  4/ 
a week  for  diet.” 

Nicholas  Meriwether,  a neighbor  and  friend  of  Jefferson, 
was  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas  Meriwether  and  Elizabeth 
Thornton,  his  wife.  He  married  Margaret  Douglas,  the 
daughter  of  the  Reverend  William  Douglas,  a native  of  Scot- 
land, then  rector  of  the  parish  of  St.  James,  Northam,  Gooch- 
land. This  Mr.  Douglas  was  an  early  teacher  of  Jefferson. 
(See  Edgar  Woods,  History  of  Albemarle  County  in  Virginia 


1769] 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


19 

(1901):  272-274.  Hereafter  cited  as  Woods,  Albemarle 
County.) 

“ Nicholas  Lewis  was  a son  of  Robert  Lewis,  who  married 
Jane,  the  daughter  of  Nicholas  Meriwether. 

Nicholas  lived  at  the  Farm,  adjoining  Charlottesville  on  the  east,  a 
gift  from  his  grandfather,  Nicholas  Meriwether.  He  was  a public 
spirited  man,  a captain  in  the  Revolution,  a magistrate,  Surveyor  and 
Sheriff  of  the  county,  possessed  of  a sound  judgment  and  kindly  spirit, 
appealed  to  on  all  occasions  to  compose  the  strifes  of  the  neighborhood, 
the  trusted  friend  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  and  the  advisor  of  his  family  dur- 
ing his  long  absences  from  home.  He  married  Mary,  the  eldest  daughter 
of  Dr.  Thomas  Walker,  and  died  in  1808.  (Woods,  Albemarle  County; 

252.) 

Citrullus  vulgaris  Schrad. 

“ Philip  Miller  (Jefferson  used  the  spelling  Millar,  instead 
of  Miller,  also  in  the  catalogue  of  his  books,  1783)  was  born 
at  either  Deptford  or  Greenwich,  England,  in  1691.  He  died 
near  Chelsea  Churchyard,  December  18,  1771.  He  was  head 
gardener  at  Chelsea  Gardens  for  many  years  and  probably 
had  more  influence  on  gardens  and  gardening  than  any  man  of 
his  time.  His  greatest  work  was  The  Gardener’s  Dictionary, 
published  in  173 1,  in  London.  It  went  through  eight  editions 
during  Miller’s  life.  It  was  not  until  the  seventh  edition,  pub- 
lished in  1759,  that  Miller  used  the  Linnaean  system.  An- 
other popular  book  by  Miller  was  The  Gardener*s  Kalendar 
(London,  1732).  This  volume  ran  through  twelve  editions. 
{Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  (63  v..  New  York,  1885-1900),  37:  420- 
422.) 

At  least  three  of  Miller’s  works  were  in  Jefferson’s  library: 
Dictionnaire  des  Jardiniers,  tr.  de  I’anglois  par  M.  DeChazel- 
les,  avec  notes,  etc.,  par  M.  Hollandre,  5 v.  4®,  Paris,  1785; 
Gardener's  Dictionary,  folio,  London,  1768;  Gardener’s  Cal- 
endar, 8°,  London,  1765. 


1770 

1770*  Jefferson  made  no  entries  in  the  Garden  Book  dur- 
ing 1770.  The  memorandum  book  for  the  year,  too,  is  al- 
most silent  on  the  activities  going  on  at  Monticello.  His  law 
practice  continued  to  absorb  much  of  his  time;  he  was  em- 
ployed in  1 21  cases  and  received  fees  amounting  to  £421  5 s. 
lo^d.  (Randall,  Jefferson:  47—48.)  During  the  sessions  of 
the  House  of  Burgesses  he  was  in  Williamsburg.  Trips  were 
made  also  to  Tuckahoe,  Chelsea,  The  Forest,  in  Charles  City 
County,  the  home  of  his  future  wife,  and  Staunton. 

Two  important  events  occurred  this  year:  Shadwell  was 
burned,  and  Jefferson  moved  to  Monticello.  In  the  burning 
of  Shadwell  he  lost  most  of  his  possessions.  The  most  cher- 
ished of  them  were  his  books.  Fortunately  the  Garden  Book 
and  some  of  the  memorandum  books  were  saved.  The  Gar- 
den Book  was  probably  at  his  unfinished  house  at  Monticello, 
where  his  garden  activities  were  being  recorded.  In  moving 
to  Monticello  on  November  26,  X770,  he  established  a home 
Trhich  was  to  be  among  his  chief  joys  for  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  Although  he  was  destined  to  be  absent  from  his  beloved 
mountaintop  for  many  years,  it  was  a place  where  he  always 
longed  to  be  and  where  he  was  happier  than  at  any  other  place. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  spring  of  1770,  Jefferson  sent  Wil- 
liam Beck  to  Williamsburg  to  bring  back  Bantam  pomegran- 
ates and  nectarines  from  George  Wythe  {Account  Book  1767— 
1770).  Mr.  Wythe,  in  sending  them  on  March  9,  wrote: 

I send  you  some  nectarines  and  apricot  graffs  and  grape  vines,  the 
best  I had;  and  have  directed  your  messenger  to  call  upon  Major  Talia- 
ferro [he  lived  near  Williamsburg]  for  some  of  his.  You  will  also  re- 
ceive two  of  Toulis’s  catalogues.  Mrs.  Wythe  will  send  you  some 
garden  peas. 

You  bear  your  misfortune  [burning  of  Shadwelll  so  becomingly,  that, 
p I am  convinced  you  will  surmount  the  difficulties  it  has  plunged  you 
into,  so  I foresee  you  will  hereafter  reap  advantages  from  it  severS  ways. 
Durate,  et  vosmet  servate  secundis.  {Jefferson  Papers,  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society.  Hereafter  cited  as  Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 


1770]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  21 

A few  days  later  Jefferson  wrote:  “Work  to  be  done  at 
the  Hermitoge  Montlcello.  plant  raspberries,  gooseberries — 
Currans — strawberries — asparagus — artichokes — fill  up  trees 
— sow  grass — henhouse — cherry  tree — Lucerne — road — ^wag- 
goning wood  and  sand — lop  cherry  trees."  {Account  Book 
1767-rjyo.)  We  are  not  told  whether  this  program  was 
carried  out  during  the  spring.  Jefferson  was  away  from  home 
a good  part  of  the  summer.  On  September  9,  he  “bo‘.  of 
neg.  of  Walker’s  4 q**  grass  seed  & p**  5/”  and  also 
‘‘bo‘  of  N.  M’s  [Meriwether’s]  Anthony  3 q**.”  {Account 
Book  lydy-jjjo.) 


1771-" 
Mar.  6. 


7- 


II, 


25. 


28. 


29. 


30* 

May.  8. 
IS- 
26. 


1771 

Monticello. 

sowed  a patch  of  peas  after  steeping  them  in 
in  water  24.  hours,  (note  the  seed  came  from 
J.  Bolling’s  *) 

rain  snow  & hail  with  an  Easterly  wind  for  4. 
days.’ 

cleared  up  cold  with  a North  West  wind. 

replanted  all  the  pomegranates  * in  their  proper 
row.  also  planted  4.  others  on  S.E.  edge  of 
garden.’  also  a Medlar  Russetin.’ 

in  the  row  of  Peach  trees  for  Apricots  planted 
4.  apricot  trees,  viz.  the  1“.  2’.  4*’.  & 5*''.  count- 
ing from  S.W.  end.^ 

peas  up.® 

planted  5.  grapes  from  N.  Lewis’s  on  S.E.  edge 
of  garden. 

sowed  peas,  (from  T,  Morgan’s  ’) 
planted  2.  beds  of  Asparagus  seed, 
cold  easterly  wind,  rain  & hail, 
eat  peas  at  Barclay  “ in  Charles-City, 
eat  strawberries  at  Docf . Rickman’s  “ 
the  greatest  flood  ” ever  known  in  Virginia. 


22 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


23 


1771] 

30.  peas  of  Mar.  6.  come  to  table.“ 

Sep.  7.  *Cart.  H.  Harrison^*  tells  me  it  is  generally 
allowed  that  250  lb  green  pork  makes  220.  lb 
pickled,  he  weighed  a ham  & shoulder  when 
green,  the  one  weighed  24.  lb.  the  other  17.  lb. 
after  they  were  made  into  bacon  each  had  lost 
exactly  a fourth,  they  were  of  corn-fed  hogs.” 

II.  ^Stephen  Willis”  sais  it  takes  15.  bushels  of 
lime  to  lay  1000.  bricks. 

*OId  Sharpe  ” sais  a bushel  of  Lime-stone  will 
weigh  1 14  lb  and  if  well  burnt  will  make  2. 
bushels  of  slacked  lime. 

30.  *John  Moore’s  ” ford  over  the  Rivanna  “ cost 
28. £ on  accurate  estimate. 

Shrubs  ” not  exceeding  lo.f.  in  height.  Al- 
der®’— Bastard  indigo,  flowering.  Amorpha*’ 
— B arberry  — Cassioberry.  Cassine.®* — Chin- 
quapin.”— ^Jersey  tea.  Flowering.  Ceanothus.” 
— Dwarf  cherry.  F. — Cerasus.®’  5. — Clethra” 
— Cock-spur  hawthorn,  or  haw.  Crataegus.*® 
4. — Laurel  *® — Scorpion — Sena.  Emerus.®’ — 
Hazel.®* — ^Althaea.®®  F. — Callicarpa.®* — Rose.*® 
— Wild-Honey-suckle.®®  — Sweet-briar.'*  — 
Ivy.®* 

Trees.  Lilac.'® — ^wild  Cherry.*® — Dog- wood.** 
— Red-bud.** — Horse-chestnut.** — Catalpa.** — 
Magnolia.*' — Mulberry.*' — Locust.** — Honey- 
suckle,— essamine.** — Elder.*® — Poison  oak.®® 
—Haw.'* 

Climbing  shrubby  plants.  Trumpet  flower.'* — 
Jasmine  " — Honey-suckle.®* 


24 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1771 

Evergreens.  Holly."®— Juaiper."*— Laurel  ® — 
Magnolia Yew.®* 

Hardy  perennial  flowers.  Snapdragon  — 
Daisy  ®®  — Larkspur.  — Gilliflower  “ — Sun- 
flower.**— Lilly** — Mallow — Flower  de  luce. 
— Everlasting  pea  **  — Piony.*®  — - Poppy.  — 
Pasque  flower."  — Goldy-lock.  Trollius.*”  — 
Anemone— Lilly  of  the  valley.®*— Primrose.*® 
— Periwinkle  " — ^violet — Flag. 

- ...  ■ 

* /yy/.  Jefferson’s  reputation  as  a lawyer  increased  to  such 
an  extent  that  he  was  employed  by  many  of  the  distinguished 
citizens  of  the  colony.  His  profits  also  increased.  The  law 
cases,  as  before,  took  him  to  many  sections  of  the  colony.  He 
continued  to  spend  much  time  at  Williamsburg,  where  he  met 
old  friends,  attended  the  playhouse,  and  enjoyed  the  other  op- 
portunities of  the  capital.  Also  Mrs.  Martha  Skelton's  home. 
The  Forest,  was  near  by.  The  Account  Book  ITJt  relates 
that  he  was  a frequent  guest  there  during  the  year. 

Work  at  Monticello  continued  with  alacrity.  There  was  a 
reason — he  was  to  marry  Mrs.  Skelton  the  first  day  of  the 
next  year.  The  Garden  Book  records  a few  of  the  spring 
plantings  but  tells  nothing  of  what  was  done  during  the  sum- 
mer and  fall.  Jefferson  talked  to  different  men  on  the  sub- 
ject of  farming,  building,  and  the  like,  and  jotted  down  what 
might  be  of  use  later,  ft  made  no  difference  to  him  whether 
the  information  came  from  a Harrison  or  Old  Sharpe.  His 
only  criterion  was  whether  or  not  it  would  be  of  value  later. 

Sometime  during  the  year,  the  date  not  given,  he  ordered 
seeds  of  peas,  celery,  spinach,  asparagus,  artichokes,  and  cab- 
bages from  N.  Campbell.  On  August  4 he  bought  of  Nicholas 
Meriwether’s  Patrick  5 quarts  of  grass  seeds,  and  7 quarts  of 
timothy  seeds.  On  the  17th  following  he  bought  from  Meri- 
wether’s Abraham  23  quarts  of  goose  grass  seeds.  {Account 
Book  I'fyx.') 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1771] 

On  September  7 Jefferson  “wrote  to  Alex  M^Caul,  Glas- 
gow to  send  me  a gardener  from  10  to  15^  a year,  indentured 
for  five  years”  {Account  Book  I77i)-  He  did  not  state 
whether  Mr.  McCaul  complied  with  his  request. 

At  the  end  of  the  Account  Book  ijji,  Jefferson  set  down 
elaborate  plans  for  the  development  of  the  grounds  at  Monti- 
cello.  Some  of  these  plans  were  fanciful  and  never  carried 
out;  others  were  gradually  incorporated  into  his  working 
plans.  They  are  interesting  in  showing  how  deeply  his  Little 
Mountain  had  gripped  his  imagination.  They  also  show  his 
talent  for  landscape  planning  and  planting.  Why  he  wrote 
the  plans  in  his  Account  Book  1771,  instead  of  in  the  Garden 
Book,  is  not  known.  Randall  suggests  that  they  were  prob- 
ably written  away  from  home  and  were  cogitations  of  unfilled 
hours  on  circuit,  perhaps  to  wear  off  a dull  evening  at  a coun- 
try tavern.  However,  it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  Jefferson 
ever  spent  a dull  evening,  certainly  not  at  this  time  of  his  life. 
The  only  part  of  the  plans  that  he  transferred  to  the  Garden 
Book  was  that  entitled,  “The  Open  Ground  on  the  West — A 
Shrubbery.” 

Here  are  Jefferson’s  plans  as  they  appear  in  the  Account 
Book: 

choose  out  for  a Burying  place  some  unfrequented  vale  in  the  park, 
where  is,  'no  sound  to  break  the  stillness  but  a brook,  that  bubbling 
winds  among  the  weeds;  no  mark  of  any  human  shape  that  had  been 
there,  unless  the  skeleton  of  some  poor  wretch.  Who  sought  that  place 
out  to  despair  and  die  in.’  let  it  be  among  antient  and  venerable  oaks ; 
intersperse  some  gloomy  evergreens,  the  area  circular,  ab‘.  60  f.  diam* 
eter,  encircled  with  an  untrimmed  hedge  of  cedar,  or  of  stone  wall  with 
a holly  hedge  on  it  in  the  form  below.  [He  makes  a drawing  of  a 
spiral  on  the  margin  to  illustrate  this.]  in  the  center  of  it  erect  a small 
Gothic  temple  of  antique  appearance,  appropriate  one  half  to  the  use 
of  my  own  family,  the  other  of  strangers,  servants,  etc.  erect  pedestals 
with  urns,  etc.,  and  proper  inscriptions,  the  passage  between  the  walls, 
4 f.  wide,  on  the  grave  of  a favorite  and  faithful  servant  might  be  a 
pyramid  erected  of  the  rough  rock-stone;  the  pedestal  made  plain  to  re- 
ceive an  inscription,  let  the  exit  of  the  spiral  at  (a)  [this  a refers  to 
spiral  diagram]  look  on  a small  and  distant  part  of  the  blue  mountains, 
in  the  middle  of  the  temple  an  altar,  the  sides  of  turf,  the  top  of  plain 
stone,  very  little  light,  perhaps  none  at  all,  save  only  the  feeble  ray  of 
an  half  extinguished  lamp. 


26 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1771 


Jane  Jefferson 

'Aht  Joannoj  puellarum  optima/ 

Ah!  aevi  virentu  fiore  praerepta! 

Sit  tibi  terra  laevis! 

Longe,  longegue  valetol’ 

at  the  spring  on  the  North  side  of  the  park. 

a few  feet  below  the  spring  level  the  ground  40  or  50  f.  sq.  let  the 
water  fall  from  the  spring  in  the  upper  level  over  a terrace  in  the  form 
of  a cascade,  then  conduct  it  along  the  foot  of  the  terrace  to  the  West- 
ern side  of  the  level,  where  it  may  fall  into  a cistern  under  a temple, 
from  which  it  may  go  off  by  the  western  border  till  it  falls  over  another 
terrace  at  the  Northern  or  lower  side,  let  the  temple  be  raised  a.  f.  for 
the  first  floor  of  stone,  under  this  is  the  cistern,  which  may  be  a bath  or 
anything  else,  the  i"‘  story  arches  on  three  sides;  the  back  or  western 
side  being  close  because  the  hill  there  comes  down,  and  also  to  carry  up 
stairs  on  the  outside,  the  a**  story  to  have  a door  on  one  side,  a spacious 
window  in  each  of  the  other  sides,  the  rooms  each  8.  f.  cube ; with  a small 
table  and  a couple  of  chairs,  the  roof  may  be  Chinese,  Grecian,  or  in 
the  taste  of  the  Lantern  of  Demosthenes  at  Athens. 

the  ground  just  about  the  spring  smoothed  and  turfed;  close  to  the 
spring  a sleeping  hgure  reclined  on  a plain  marble  slab,  surrounded  with 
turf;  on  the  slab  this  inscription: 

Httjui  nympha  loci,  sacri  custodia  fontis 
Dormio,  dum  blandae  tentio  murmur  aquae 
Farce  meum,  quisquis  tangis  cava  marmora,  sommum 
Rumpere;  si  bibas,  she  lavere,  tace. 

near  the  spring  also  inscribe  on  stone,  or  a metal  plate  fastened  to  a 
tree,  these  lines:  'Beatus  Ule  qui  procul  negotiis,  Ut  prisca  gens  mor- 
talium,  Paterna  rura  bobus  exercet  suis,  soluius  omni  foenore;  Forumque 
vitat  et  superba  civium  Potentiorum  limina.  Liget  jacere  modo  sub 
autiqua  ilice,  mado  in  tenaci  gramine:  Labuntur  altis  interim  ripis 
aquae;  Queruntur  in  silvis  aves;  Fontesque  lymphis  ohstrepunt  man- 
antibus,  somnos  quod  invitet  leves.'  plant  trees  of  Beech  and  Aspen 
about  it.  open  a vista  to  the  millpond,  river,  road,  etc.  qu,  if  a view 
to  the  neighboring  town  would  have  a good  effect?  intersperse  in  this 
and  every  other  part  of  the  ground  (except  the  environs  of  the  Burying 
ground)  abundance  of  Jesamine,  Honeysuckle,  sweet  briar,  etc.  under 
the  temple,  an  Aeolian  harp,  where  it  may  be  concealed  as  well  as  covered 
from  the  weather. 

This  would  be  better. 

the  ground  above  the  spring  being  very  steep,  dig  into  the  hill  and 
form  a cave  or  grotto,  build  up  3ie  sides  and  arch  with  stifi  clay, 
cover  this  with  moss,  spangle  it  with  translucent  pebbles  from  Han- 
overtown,  and  beautiful  shells  from  the  shore  at  Burwell’s  ferry,  pave 
the  floor  with  pebbles,  let  the  spring  enter  at  a corner  of  the  grotto, 


1771] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


27 


pretty  high  up  the  side,  and  trickle  down,  or  fall  by  a spout  into  a basin, 
from  which  it  may  pass  oii  through  the  grotto,  the  figure  will  be  better 
placed  in  this,  form  a couch  of  moss,  the  English  inscription  will  then 
be  proper. 

Nymph  of  the  grot,  these  sacred  springs  I keep, 

And  to  the  murmur  of  these  waters  sleep; 

Ah/  spare  my  slumbers/  gently  tread  the  cave/ 

And  drink  in  silence,  or  in  silence  lave! 

The  ground  in  General 

thin  the  trees,  cut  out  stumps  and  undergrowth,  remove  old  trees 
and  other  rubbish,  except  where  they  may  look  well,  cover  the  whole 
with  grass,  intersperse  Jessamine,  honeysuckle,  sweetbriar,  and  even 
hardy  flowers  which  may  not  require  attention,  keep  in  it  deer,  rabbits, 
Peacocks,  Guinea  poultry,  pigeons,  etc.  let  it  be  an  asylum  for  hares, 
squirrels,  pheasants,  partridges,  and  every  other  wild  animal  (except 
those  of  prey),  court  them  to  it,  by  laying  food  for  them  in  proper 
places,  procure  a buck-elk,  to  be,  as  it  were,  monarch  of  the  wood ; but 
keep  him  shy,  that  his  appearance  may  not  lose  its  effect  by  too  much 
familiarity,  a buflalo  might  be  confined  also,  inscriptions  in  various 
places,  on  the  bark  of  trees  or  metal  plates,  suited  to  the  character  or 
expression  of  the  particular  spot, 
benches  or  seats  of  rock  or  turf. 

The  Open  Ground  on  the  West — a shrubbery 

Shrubs — (Not  exceeding  a growth  of  10.  f.).  Alder — Bastard  indigo, 
flowering  Amorpha — ^Barberry — Cassioberry.  Cassinc. — Chinquapin — 
Jersey-tea.  F.  Ceanothus — Dwarf  Cherry.  F.  Ccrasus.  5,  Clethra — 
Cockspur  hawthorn,  or  haw.  Crataegus.  4.  Laurel — Scorpion  Sena, 
Emerus — Hazel. — ^Althea  F. — Callicarpa — ^Rose — ^Wild  honeysuckle 
— Sweet-briar — ^Ivy. 

Trees. — ^Lilac — ^Wild  Cherry — ^Dogwood — ^Redbud — Horse  chestnut — 
Catalpa — Magnolia — Mulberry — ^Locust — Honeysuckle — Jessamine 
— ^Eldcr — Poison  oak — Haw — Fig. 

Climbing  shrubby  plants. — ^Trumpet  flower — Jasmine — ^Honeysuckle. 
Evergreens. — ^Holly — ^Juniper — ^Laurel — Magnolia — Yew. 

Hardy  perennial  flowers. — Snapdragon — ^Daisy — ^Larkspur — Gilliflower 
— Sunflower — ^Lily — Mallow — ^Flower  de  luce — Everlasting  pea— - 
Piony — Poppy — ^Pasque  flower — Goldy-lock,  Trollius  = Anemone — 
Lilly  of  the  Valley — Primrose — PeriwinUe — ^Violet — Flag. — {Ac- 
count Book  1771-) 

* John  Bolling  was  a son  of  Colonel  John  Bolling,  of  Cobbs, 
He  lived  first  in  Goochland  County,  from  which  he  was  a dele- 
gate in  the  House  of  Burgesses  in  1766-1768.  Afterwards, 
in  1778,  he  was  a member  of  the  House  of  Delegates  from 


jg  Jeffbrson’s  Garden  Book  [1771 

Chesterfield  County.  He  married  Mary,  a sister  of  Thomas 
Jefierson.  He  \va8  born  June  24,  1737,  and  died  in  179-. 
(Tyler,  Virginia  Biography  i:  189.)  Jefferson  was  at  Mr. 
Bolling’s  home  several  times  during  177^; 

® Weather  conditions  were  of  the  first  importance  to  Jeffer- 
son tending  a garden  on  top  of  a mountain.  He  began  his 
systematic  record  of  the  weather  in  the  year  1776,  while  in 
Philadelphia  to  attend  the  Continental  Congress.  From  this 
year  through  1816,  he  kept  an  almost  continuous  weather 
record.  This  record  was  taken  not  only  at  Monticello  but 
wherever  he  was  located. 

“ These  pomegranates  were  probably  the  ones  sent  by 
George  Wythe  the  year  before.  (See  letter  of  George  Wythe 
to  Jefferson,  March  9,  1770.) 

“ This  is  the  first  mention  of  the  garden.  Where  it  was 
located  is  not  known.  It  was  not  until  March  31,  i774>  that 
Jefferson  mentioned  laying  off  ground  for  a permanent  garden. 

* Mespilus  gertnanica  L. 

' See  plate  VII. 

‘Twenty  days  for  peas  to  come  up.  They  were  planted 
March  6. 

’ T.  Morgan  was  hired  by  Jefferson  to  work  at  Monticello. 
Just  what  kind  of  work  he  did  is  not  clear.  In  the  Account 
Book  for  the  year  there  are  several  references  to  paying  him, 
similar  to  this  one:  “July  31,  settled  with  T.  Morgan,  and  I 
owe  him  of  the  wages  of  1770  £4.10,  I am  to  continue  his 
wages  £8.  this  year,  and  afterwards  he  is  to  maintain  himself 
till  the  mill  is  ready  for  him.” 

“ Barclay  (=  Berkeley) , the  home  of  Benjamin  Harrison, 
the  Revolutionary  statesman,  Governor  of  Virginia,  and  signer 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  was  born  ini726(?) 
and  died  on  April  24,  1791.  Jefferson  here  intends  by  his  ref- 
erence to  peas  to  compare  the  time  that  peas  came  to  the  table 
at  Charles  City  with  the  time  of  their  appearance  on  the  table 
at  Monticello.  Jefferson’s  peas  came  to  the  table  on  May  30. 
There  was  a difference  of  22  days. 

” Probably  Doctor  William  Rickman,  a surgeon,  who  was 
appointed  by  Benjamin  Harrison,  or  through  his  influence  in 
Congress,  as  Physician  and  Director  General  to  the  Conti- 
nental Hospital  in  the  colony.  (John  Daly  Burk,  The  His- 
tory of  Virginia  (4  v.,  Petersburg,  1804-1816)  4:  155.) 


i77i]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  29 

“The  flood  of  May  26,  1771,  evidently  did  tremendous 
damage  in  Virginia.  Jefferson  referred  to  it  many  times. 

“ The  peas  of  March  6 were  up  on  March  25  and  came  to 
the  table  on  May  30.  Eighty-six  days  elapsed  from  the  time 
of  planting  to  eating. 

“ Carter  Henry  Harrison  (1727-1793  or  1794)  was  a son 
of  Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Berkeley,  and  a brother  of  Benjamin 
Harrison,  the  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He 
attended  William  and  Mary  College,  resided  at  Clifton,  Cum- 
berland County,  was  chairman  of  the  county  committee  of 
safety,  and  on  April  22,  1776,  drafted  and  submitted  to  the 
people  assembled  at  Cumberland  Court  House  tha  first  ex- 
plicit instructions  in  favor  of  independence  adopted  by  a pub- 
lic meeting  in  any  of  the  colonies.  He  was  later  a member  of 
the  House  of  Delegates  under  the  new  constitution  of  Vir- 
ginia. (Tyler,  Virginia  Biography  2:  ii— 12.) 

“ Jefferson  often  wrote  information  of  this  kind  in  several 
different  places.  One  -would  expect  to  find  this  type  of  in- 
formation in  the  Farm  Book,  but  instead  it  occurs  in  the  Gar- 
den Book  and  the  Account  Book  1771,  The  statement  in  the 
Account  Book  differs  slightly  from  that  in  the  Garden  Book: 

Sept.  7,  Carter  H.  Harrison  tells  me  that  it  is  generally  allowed  that 
350  lb.  green  pork  makes  220  lb.  pickled  pork,  he  made  a trial  on  a 
ham  and  shoulder,  the  one  weighing  24  lb.  and  the  other  17  lb.  green. 
When  made  into  bacon  they  had  lost  nearly  one  fourth,  they  were 
cornfed. 

“ Stephen  Willis  began  to  work  for  Jefferson  on  August  4, 
1771  {Account  Book  1771,  September  il). 

Probably  Robert  Sharpe  from  whom,  on  March  29,  Jef- 
fersoh  purchased 

one  acre  of  limestone  land  on  Plumb  tree  branch  other  wa3rs  called 
Scale’s  creek  to  be  laid  off  as  I please,  under  these  restrictions.  I am 
not  to  enter  his  fence  on  the  Southside  of  the  road,  nor  to  include  his 
spring  on  the  N.  side  of  the  road.  I give  him  40/3  for  it  Watt  MouS- 
Icy  present  at  making  the  bargain.  {Account  Book  1771.) 

“ John  Moore  was  evidently  a man  of  means  and  fine  busi- 
ness capacity.  At  different  times  he  owned  more  than  5,000 
acres  in  the  county.  From  the  fact  that  it  was  through  his 
land  east  of  the  town  that  the  road  to  the  river  was  made. 


30 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1771 

it  is  surmised  that  the  name  of  Moore’s  was  given  to  the 
ford,  which  crossed  just  below  tlie  site  of  the  Free  Bridge. 
(Woods,  Albemarle  County:  283-284.) 

Rivanna  River. 

Rivanna  was  in  use  from  the  first,  according  to  the  fashion  then  in 
vogue,  of  honoring  Queen  Anne  with  the  names  of  rivers  recently  dis- 
covered. In  the  earliest  patents  and  deeds  it  was  more  frequently  called 
the  north  fork  of  the  James,  as  the  James  above  the  Rivanna  passed 
under  the  name  of  the  South  Fork,  or  more  cuphuistically,  the  Fluvanna. 
In  some  instances  the  Rivanna  was  simply  termed  the  North  River,  and 
the  Fluvanna  the  South.  The  crossing  of  the  Rivanna  at  the  Free 
Bridge  was  known  as  Moore’s  Ford,  or  Lewis’  Ferry,  according  to  the 
stage  of  wstfer.  (Woods,  Albemarle  County:  20.) 

It  is  interesting  to  compare  Jefferson’s  use  of  words  in  de- 
scribing the  same  information  recorded  in  different  account 
books.  In  this  case,  in  the  Garden  Book,  he  speaks  of  an 
“accurate  estimate,’’  while  in  the  Account  Book  lyfi  he 
writes;  “Mr.  Moore’s  ford  on  a nice  estimate  cost  £28.’’ 

**  For  a comparison  of  this  with  the  Account  Book  1771, 
see  above,  “The  Open  Ground  on  the  West — a shrubbery.’’ 

“ Probably  Alnus  rugosa  Spreng.  This  is  the  common 
alder  in  Albemarle  County. 

**  Amorpha  fruticosa  L. 

” Either  Berberis  canadensis  Mill,  or  Berberis  vulgaris  L. 

**  Ilex  vomitoria  Ait. 

Castanea  pumila  Mill. 

“ Ceanothus  americanus  L. 

Prunus  cerasus  L. 

“ Clethra  alnifolia  L. 

Crataegus  crus-galli  L. 

'®  Either  Rhododendron  maximum  L.  or  Kalmia  latifolia  L. 

Coronilla  emerus  L. 

'®  Corylus  americana  Marsh. 

®®  Hibiscus  syriacus  L. 

“ Callicarpa  americana  L. 

‘®  Rosa  spp. 

^'‘Rhododendron  nudiflorum  Torr. 

Rosa  rubiginosa  L.  or  Rosa  eglanteria  L. 

**  Native  mountain  people  often  call  Kalmia  latifolia  L. 


1771]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  3 1 

*“  Either  Syringa  vulgaris  L.  or  S.  persica  L.  Persian  lilac. 

Either  Prumis  serotina  Ehrh.  or  P.  virginiana  L.  Jeffer- 
son called  the  latter  wild  cherry,  in  his  Notes  on  the  State  of 
Virginia. 

Cornus  florida  L. 

**  Cercis  canadensis  L. 

Aesculus  hippocastanum  L. 

Catalpa  bignonioides  Walt. 

Magnolia  tripetala  L.  Umbrella  tree.  Probably  this 
deciduous  magnolia,  since  he  mentions  magnolia  again  imder 
evergreens. 

"Either  Mortis  alba  L.,  M.  nigra  L.,  or  M.  rubra  L. 

" Robinia  pseudoacacia  L. 

Gelsemium  sempervirens  Ait.  f.  This  is  called  jessamine 
in  the  Southern  United  States.  However,  it  is  a vine.  We 
do  not  know  why  Jefferson  included  this  and  poison  oak  under 
trees.  It  may  have  been  because  these  two  plants  often  climb 
to  the  tops  of  tall  trees. 

" Either  Sambucus  canadensis  L.  or  5.  racetnosa  L. 

“ Rhus  toxicodendron  L. 

Viburnum  prunifolium  L. 

Either  Tecoma  radicans  (L.)  Juss.  or  Bignonia  capreolata 
L. 

“ In  Jefferson’s  Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia,  yellow  jas- 
mine is  called  Bignonia  sempervirens;  it  is  called  today  Gel- 
semium sempervirens  Ait.  f. 

In  Jefferson’s  Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia,  trumpet 
honeysuckle  goes  by  the  name  of  Lonicera  sempervirens  L. 

Either  Ilex  opaca  Ait.,  American  holly,  or  I.  aquifolium 
L.,  English  holly. 

Juniperus  virginiana  L.,  red  cedar. 

See  note  30,  above. 

Magnolia  grandifiora  L. 

Taxus  baccata  L.,  English  yew,  or  Taxus  canadensis 
Marsh.,  American  yew. 

**  Beilis  perennis  L. 

*’■  Mathiola  incana  R.  Br,  It  is  also  called  stock. 

Helianthus  annuus  L. 

•®  Lily,  Lilium  (various  species). 

•*  Lathyrus  latifolius  L. 


3^^ 


jEFfERSoff’s  Garden  Book 


[1771 


•“  Probably  Paeonia  albiflora  Pallas. 
*•  Anemone  pulsatilla  L. 

Probably  Trollms  asiaticus  L. 
Convallarta  majalis  L. 

Primula  vulgaris  Huds. 

” Finca  minor  L. 


1772 


1772." 

Jan.  26.  the  deepest  snow  we  have  ever  seen,  in  Al- 
bemarle it  was  about  3.f.  deep.* 

Mar.  30.  sowed  a patch  of  latter  peas.® 

other  patches  were  sowed  afterwards. 

July.  15.  Cucumbers  came  to  table.® 
planted  out  Celery.® 
sowed  patch  of  peas  for  the  Fall.® 
planted  snap-beans.^ 

22.  had  the  last  dish  of  our  spring  peas.® 

31.  had  Irish  potatoes*  from  the  garden. 

* Julius  Shard  fills  the  two-wheeled  barrow  in 

3.  minutes  and  carries  it  30.  yds.  in  i J minutes 
more,  now  this  is  four  loads  of  the  common 
barrow  with  one  wheel,  so  that  suppose  the 

4.  loads  put  in  in  the  same  time  viz.  3.  minutes, 
4.  trips  will  take  4 X minutes  = 6'  which 
added  to  3'  filling  is  = 9'  to  fill  and  carry  the 
same  earth  which  was  filled  & carried  in  the 
two-wheeled  barrow  in  4^'.  from  a trial  I 
made  with  the  same  two-wheeled  barrow  I 
found  that  a m^  would  dig  & carry  to  the 
distance  of  50.  yds  5.  cubical  yds  of  earth  in  a 
day  of  12.  hours  length.  Ford’s  Phill  “ did 


33 


34 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[177a 

it;  not  overlooked,  and  having  to  mount  his 
loaded  barrow  up  a bank  a.f.  high  & tolerably 
steep.^® 

Aug.  20.  *the  waggon  with  4.  horses  & the  driver  with- 
out any  assistant  brought  about  300  yds  wood 
which  measured  4,  8,  & 19J  f.  i.e.  nearly  £. 
cords  calling  a cord  4,  4,  & 8.  in  one  day.  it 
took  10.  loads.” 

*the  waggon  brings  28.  rails  at  a load  up  a 
steep  part  of  the  mountain.” 

*Ry.  Randolph’s  mason  cuts  stone  @ 8'.  the  su- 
perficial foot,  the  blocks  being  furnished  to  his 
hand,  provision  found,  but  no  attendance.” 

*park-paling,”  every  other  pale  high,  the  tall 
pales  to  have  5 nails,  the  low  one  4.  nails  is 
worth  but  30/  the  100.  yds,  out  and  out.  cal- 
culated by  Skip  Harris.” 

*a  coach  & six  will  turn  in  80.  feet. 

Octob.  8.  gathered  2.  plumb-peaches  at  Monticello.” 

Nov.  12.  *William  Gillum”  sais  it  will  take  a bushel  of 
Lime-stone  (which  he  sais  is  equal  to  2.  bushels 
of  slacked  lime.)  to  a perch  of  stonework  18.I. 
thick.” — ^but  Anderson”  sais  3.  bushels  of 
Lime. 

*in  making  the  Round-about  walk,**  3 hands 
would  make  80.  yds  in  a day  in  the  old  feild, 
but  in  the  woods  where  they  had  stumps  to 
clear,  not  more  than  40.  & sometimes  23.  yds. 


' , -I- 


m. — Plan  of  tile  Mofiiicello  house  and  rectangular  flower  “beds,  prior  to  177a-  So  far  as  known, 
were  never  laid  out  and  planted.  {JeffeTs<m  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


35 


177a] 

^ 1772.  In  the  Account  Book  1771,  Jefferson  wrote : “Dec. 
30,  inclosed  to  M.  [Mordecai]  Debnam  for  marriage  license 
40/.”  On  the  first  day  of  January,  1772,  he  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Martha  Skelton,  widow  of  Mr.  Bathurst  Skelton,  and 
daughter  of  John  Wayles,  of  The  Forest,  in  Charles  City 
County.  Jefferson’s  marriage  was  for  him  the  supreme 
event  of  the  year  and,  one  might  say,  for  all  years.  It  pro- 
foundly affected  every  phase  of  his  life  then  and  thereafter. 
The  wedding  was  celebrated  with  happy  festivities.  The 
couple  made  a leisurely  journey  to  Monticello,  visiting  friends 
along  the  way,  arriving  finally  on  January  25.  Mrs.  Ran- 
dolph, Jefferson’s  eldest  daughter,  wrote  years  later  an  ac- 
count of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jefferson’s  trip  to  Monticello: 

They  left  the  Forest  after  a fall  of  snow,  light  then,  but  increasing  in 
depth  as  they  advanced  up  the  country.  They  were  finally  obliged  to 
quit  the  carriage  and  proceed  on  horseback.  Having  stopped  for  a short 
time  at  Blenheim,  where  an  overseer  resided,  they  left  it  at  sunset  to 
pursue  their  way  dirough  a mountain  track  rather  than  a road,  in  which 
the  snow  lay  from  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  deep,  having  eight  miles  to 
go  before  reaching  Monticello.  They  arrived  late  at  night,  the  fires  all 
out  and  the  servants  retired  to  their  own  houses  for  the  night.  The 
horrible  dreariness  of  such  a house,  at  the  end  of  such  a journey,  I have 
often  heard  both  relate.  (Randall,  Jefferson  i:  64.) 

On  January  26  Jefferson  recorded  in  the  Garden  Book:  “the 
deepest  snow  we  have  ever  seen,  in  Albermale  it  was  about 
3.  f.  deep.’’ 

Jefferson’s  law  cases  continued  to  take  him  from  home.  He 
was  in  Williamsburg  several  times  during  the  year,  attending 
the  meetings  of  the  General  Court  and  looking  after  other 
affairs.  He  did  not  neglect  his  cultural  interests.  He  was 
often  at  the  playhouse  and  on  May  14  paid  2/6  for  hearing 
musical  glasses.  On  another  visit  to  Williamsburg  he  “p**. 
rev^.  mr  Gwatkin  for  10  months  schooling  Rand[olph]  Jef- 
ferson [his  only  brother]  JEio.  p*.  d*.  for  rev*,  mr  John- 
son entrance  money  for  d*.  in  Grammar  school  20/.’*  {A(‘ 

count  Book  1772.) 

However,  things  were  happening  at  Monticello.  From 
computations  of  various  kinds  made  in  the  Garden  Book,  and 
in  the  Account  Book  for  the  year,  there  was  much  building, 
clearing  and  leveling  of  new  ground,  and  making  of  new  roads. 
On  March  28,  a few  days  before  leaving  for  Williamsburg, 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


36 


[1772 


Jefferson  got  an  estimate  for  cleaning  and  burning  the  fruitery ; 
“James  Lackey  on  view  of  the  ground  in  my  fruitery  sais  it  is 
worth  18/  an  acre  & an  acre  may  be  done  by  one  man  in  a 
week,  to  be  grubbed  cleaned  & burnt,  p”  Rich*  Sorrels  40/ 
which  is  his  wages  till  Apri.  4.  and  settles  all  our  account.  He 
agrees  then  immediately  to  grub,  clean  & burn  my  fruitery  @ 
18/  the  acre.”  And  on  August  23  he  wrote:  “Old  Sharpe 
tells  me  a bushel  of  limestone  will  weigh  114  lb.  and  if  well 
burned  will  make  2 bushels  of  lime”  {Account  Book  1772). 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  a daughter,  Martha  Wayles, 
was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jefferson.  She  was  destined  to 
play  a conspicuous  part  in  Jefferson’s  life. 

The  Account  Book  mentions  only  a few  seeds  bought  this 
year; 

Aug.  16.  p^.  Gill  for  potato  seed  2/. 

Aug.  23.  p**.  N.  M’s  Tom  for  54  q‘*.  clover  seed.  6/ioi. 

Sept.  20.  bo*  of  N.  M’s.  Abram.  5 p*‘.  clover  seed. 

Sept.  20.  gave  mfi  Wills's  Sam,  ord.  on  mf  Anderson  for  11/3  for 
18  p‘*.  clover  seed. 

Nov.  2.  p*  a gardener  for  seeds  17/6. 

‘This  snow,  like  the  flood  of  1771,  was  often  referred  to 
by  Jefferson.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  recording  this 
event  he  used  the  pronoun  we  instead  of  I.  On  July  22  Jef- 
ferson speaks  of  our  peas. 

• A later  variety  of  Pisum  sativum  L.  Randolph  {Garden- 
ittg:  39)  lists  rouncivals,  the  Spanish  morotto,  and  the  mar- 
rowfat or  Dutch  admiral  as  the  later  kind.  He  writes; 
“These  . . . are  intended  to  come  in  succession,  when  the 
forward  kind  are  gone.  You  should  sow  your  Peas  cveiy 
fortnight,  and  as  ^e  hot  weather  comes  on  the  latter  sort 
should  be  in  a sheltered  situation,  otherwise  they  will  burn  up.” 

‘Entries  of  this  kind,  and  there  are  many  of  them  in  the 
Garden  Book,  indicate  that  Jefferson  planted  seeds  without 
entering  the  date  of  planting. 

•July  was  the  proper  time  to  plant  out  into  trenches  the 
crop  of  celery  for  autumn  and  winter  use. 

• See  note  3. 

• A variety  of  Phaseolus  vulgaris  L. 

• The  spring  peas  were  planted  around  March  30.  This 
was  a long  bearing  time  for  peas. 


1772]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  3y 

” Solarium  tuberosum  L.  This  is  the  first  mention  of  the 
Irish  potato  in  the  Garden  Book, 

Julius  Shard,  one  of  Jefferson’s  workmen  at  Monticello. 
He  is  mentioned  several  times  in  the  account  books. 

Phill,  another  one  of  Jefferson’s  workmen.  He  was  evi- 
dently owned  by  Bartlet  Ford,  of  Albemarle. 

The  relative  efficiency  of  the  two-wheeled  barrow  over  the 
one-wheeled  barrow  was  of  considerable  interest  to  Jefferson. 
This  was  rightly  so,  for  there  were  great  quantities  of  earth 
to  be  moved  in  leveling  and  building  cellars  and  roads.  The 
entry  about  Julius  Shard  is  found  also  in  the  Account  Book 
I'jjz  and  in  the  Farm  Book  (1774-1822).  The  entry  in  the 
Account  Book  was  made  on  July  23  and  is  somewhat  fuller  in 
expression,  but  the  same  in  content.  The  one  in  the  Farm 
Book  is  synoptic  but  includes  some  data  not  found  in  the  other 
two  entries.  Here  is  the  entry  from  the  Farm  Book: 

Wheel  Barrows 

the  two-wheeled  barrow  carries  4.  loads  of  the  single  one  at  once, 
it  is  loaded  & carried  30  yards  in  3'  -J-  i4's=!4i'. 
it  will  do  then  exactly  double  the  work  in  the  same  time,  loading  being 
equal. 

a man  digs  & carries  50  yds.  5 cubical  yards  of  earth  in  a day  of  12 
^hours. 

a man  carries  75.  brick  with  the  old  lime  sticking  to  them,  say  500.  lb. 
in  the  two  wheded  barrow  on  level  ground.  24  cubic  yards  of  very 
solid  earth  made  12a.  loads  which  is  3^  cub.  feet  to  a load. 

This  entry  appears  in  the  Account  Book  as  follows: 

Aug.  ao,  1772.  The  wagon  with  4.  horses  and  only  the  driver  (Phil) 
brought  from  that  part  of  the  cleared  ground  next  the  Thoroughfare  in 
one  day  wood  which  measured  4,  8,  & 19^  feet,  that  is  nearly  5.  cords 
calling  a cord  4,  4,  & 8.  it  took  10.  loads. 

^*In  the  same  Account  Book  this  entry  reads:  “he  [Phil] 
brings  28  rails  at  a load  up  a part  of  the  ground  somewhat 
steeper.” 

Ryland  Randolph  was  the  third  son  of  Colonel  Richard 
Randolph  and  Jane  Bolling,  of  Curls,  Henrico  County.  He 
inherited  lands  in  the  fork  of  the  Appomattox  in  Goochland 
and  Amelia  Counties,  and  at  Bush  River  and  Falling  Creek, 
Amelia  County,  also  stocks  thereon.  (See  Virginia  Mag. 


^8  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [177a 

Hist,  and  Biography  22:  441-443,  1914.)  This  entry  oc- 
curs in  the  Account  Book  1772,  also,  under  August  20. 

” The  park,  which  these  palings  were  to  inclose,  was  laid 
out  on  the  north  side  of  the  mountain  in  1769.  (See  note  i, 
under  1769,  and  plate  XIIL)  The  entry  in  the  Account 
Book  1772  is  as  follows; 

July  23,  park  paling,  every  other  pale  high,  the  tall  pales  to  have  5 
nails,  the  low  ones  4.  nails  is  worth,  but  30/  the  100  yds,  taking  every 
individual  thing  into  consideration,  assisted  by  Skip  Harris  in  making 
the  calculations. 

” Skip  Harris,  a workman  at  Monticello. 

” This  is  the  first  fruit,  of  which  there  is  a record,  gathered 
at  Monticello.  The  tree  was  probably  planted  in  1769,  when 
a large  number  of  fruit  trees  was  set  out.  We  have  been  un- 
able to  identify  a plumb-peach.  This  entry  in  the  Account 
Book  1772  reads:  “Oct.  8,  this  day  gather'  2,  plumb  peaches 
at  Monticello.” 

” William  Gillum,  spelled  Gillam  in  the  Account  Book,  was 
a workman  at  Monticello.  He  is  mentioned  several  times  in 
the  acount  books. 

"This  entry  also  occurs  in  the  Account  Book  1772,  Jef- 
ferson does  not  there  mention  Anderson. 

“ There  were  many  Andersons  in_Albemarle  County.  Jef- 
ferson had  business  dealings  with  several  of  them.  It  is  not 
known  which  one  he  refers  to  here.  ("Sept.  14.  1775.  p'. 
old  Anderson  (Mason)  6/”  {Account  Book  1775).) 

**  There  were  four  Round-about  roads,  which  completely 
encircled  the  mountain  at  different  levels.  These  roads  were 
connected  by  oblique  roads.  This  is  the  first  mention  of 
Round-abouts,  This  entry  is  found  in  the  Account  Book  1772 
and  in  the  Farm  Book.  In  the  former  it  is  the  same,  in  the 
latter  it  is  fuller.  From  the  Farm  Book; 

177a.  Nov.  in  making  the  Upper  Roundabout,  3 hands  made  80.  yds 
a day  in  the  old  field  = 26  yds  a day,  but  in  the  woods  where  they  had 
stumps  to  take  away,  not  more  than  40  & sometimes  25  yds.  ss  13,  or  8. 
this  walk  is  926.  yds  *=  .5261  mile  in  circumference. 

(See  plates  XXI,  XXII,  and  XXX.) 


1773 


1773-' 

♦Gordon,  the  Mill-wright,  sais  where  the  work- 
man is  found  & every  thing  brought  into  place, 
he  should  make  a double  armed  water-wheel 
for  12/  the  foot,  & the  cog-wheel  for  15/  the 
foot  in  diameter,  and  the  shaft  and  Gudgeon 
supporters  into  the  bargain,  and  a single- 
armed  water  wheel  for  20/  the  foot.“ 

*mfs  Wythe  * puts  tV  very  rich  superfine  Mal- 
mesey  to  a dry  Madeira  and  makes  a fine  wine.‘ 

Mar.  12.  sowed  a patch  of  Early  peas,®  & another  of 
Marrow  fats.* 

31.  grafted  5.  French  chesnuts  ’’  into  two  stocks  of 
Common  chesnut* 

sent  Patrick  Morton  * the  following  slips  of 
fruits  from  Sandy  point.“ 

N".  I.  Green  Gage  plumb.“ 

2.  Almonds. 

3.  Carnation  cherry.” 

4.  Duke  cherry.” 

5.  forward  pear.” 

6.  late  d*. 

7.  fine  late  large  pear. 

39 


40 


jEfFERsoN’s  Garden  Book 


C1773 


8.  New'town  pippins.” 

9.  French  chesnut. 

10.  English  Mulberry.” 

11.  Broadnax’s  cherry,” 

12.  very  fine  late  cherry. 

Apr.  I.  both  patches  of  peas  up. 

set  out  strawberries. 

2.  planted  50.  vines  of  various  kinds  from  the 
Forest, 

3.  sowed  a patch  of  Early  peas  & another  of 
Marrow-fats. 

May.  22.  first  patch  of  peas  come  to  table,  note  this 
spring  is  remarkeably  forward. 

May.  22.  *2.  hands  grubbed  the  Grave  yard  ” 8o.f.sq.  = 
^ of  an  acre  in  3J  hours  so  that  one  would  have 
done  it  in  7.  hours,  and  would  grub  an  acre  in 
49.  hours  ==  4.  days. 

*Ry.  Randolph’s  fencing  chain  weighs  4 Ih  per 
foot,  and  is  3 f.  3 I.  from  the  ground. 

•articles  for  contracts  with  overseers.” 

he  shall  let  his  emploier  have  his  share  of  grain 
if  he  chuses  it  at  a fixed  price. 

he  shall  not  have  his  share  till  enough  is  taken 
out  to  sow. 

and  then  only  of  what  is  sold  or  eaten  by  meas- 
ure. 


1773] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  4 1 

allow  J a share  for  every  horse,  & the  same  for 
a plough-boy. 

to  have  at  the  rate  of  a share  for  every  8.  hands, 
but  never  to  have  more  than  2.  shares  if  there 
be  ever  so  many  hands. 

provision  400,  lb  pork  if  single.  500  lb  if  mar- 
ried. 

to  be  turned  off  at  any  time  of  year  if  employer 
disapproves  of  his  conduct,  on  paying  a pro- 
portion of  what  shall  be  made,  according  to 
the  time  he  has  staid. 

to  pay  for  carrying  his  share  of  the  crop  to 
market. 

to  pay  for  carriage  of  all  refused  tobS. 
to  pay  his  own  levies. 

to  pay  his  share  of  liquor  & hiring  at  harvest, 
and  never  to  bleed  a negro. 

^ I77S'  Two  sad  events  happened  in  1773,  which  affected 
the  personal  life  of  Jefferson.  On  May  16  Dabney  Carr  died. 
He  had  been  Jefferson’s  most  intimate  friend  since  boyhood. 
He  married  Jefferson’s  sister,  Martha.  After  Carr’s  death, 
Jefferson  cared  for  her  and  their  six  children  at  Monticello, 
Jefferson  was  at  Williamsburg  when  his  friend  died.  On  ac- 
count of  a mutual  promise  made  when  they  were  students  to- 
gether, to  the  effect  that  the  one  who  survived  should  see  that 
the  body  of  the  other  was  buried  at  the  foot  of  a favorite  oak 
tree  on  Mottticello  mountain,  Jefferson  had  Carr’s  body  re- 
moved from  Shadwell,  where  he  was  buried,  to  the  graveyard 
at  Montkello.  The  preparation  of  the  graveyard  was  begun 


42 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[i77i 

on  May  22,  the  day  after  Jefferson  returned  from  Williams- 
burg. (See  entry  in  Garden  Book,  May  22,  1773.)  The 
body  of  Carr  was  probably  moved  soon  after  and  was  the  first 
to  be  interred  in  the  graveyard  at  Monticello. 

The  second  event  was  the  death,  on  May  28,  of  Mrs.  Jef- 
ferson’s father,  John  Wayles,  of  The  Forest.  By  his  death 
Mrs.  Jefferson  inherited  about  40,000  acres  of  land  and  135 
slaves.  The  land  included  Poplar  Forest,  in  Bedford  County, 
a favorite  estate  of  Jefferson.  (Randall,  Jefferson  i;  66.) 
He  later  built  a house  there,  which  he  loved  almost  as  well  as 
Monticello. 

Politically,  the  year  was  important  for  the  part  Jefferson 
played  in  the  House  of  Burgesses  on  the  Committee  of  Corre- 
spondence and  Inquiry.  (Randall,  Jefferson  ir  78—82.) 

Jefferson  recorded  little  about  the  garden  for  this  year.  He 
was  away  from  Monticello  for  long  periods  of  time,  returning 
long  enough  to  plant  and  eat  his  favorite  pea.  He  attended 
the  meetings  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  and  was  employed  in 
law  cases  as  in  previous  years.  He  was  not  idle,  however,  on 
his  mountaintop.  In  1772  he  had  contracted  with  George 
Dudley  to  make  in  the  next  two  years  100,000  workable  bricks, 
some  of  them  stock  brick  and  the  others  place  brick.  He  was 
to  make  “50.  M.  bricks  in  1773.”  {Account  Book  1773.) 
He  planted  fruit  trees  from  Sandy  Point  and  50  vines  from 
The  Forest.  On  one  of  his  trips  to  The  Forest  he  “p"  Jamey 
for  two  Mock*  birds  11/6”  (ibid.).  The  mocking  bird  was 
JeEerson’s  favorite  among  birds.  He  considered  it  far  su- 
perior to  the  nightingale  of  Europe.  On  September  8 he 
made  his  first  trip  to  Poplar  Forest  to  look  after  his  lands  in 
Bedford  County. 

“Jefferson  owned  two  mills  on  the  Rivanna.  One  he  in- 
herited from  his  father,  and  the  other  he  built  during  his 
presidency,  Gordon,  the  millwright,  probably  built  the  mills, 
or  set  up  the  machinery  for  them,  along  the  watercourses  in 
Albemarle  County. 

* Mrs.  Wythe,  the  wife  of  George  Wythe  of  Williamsburg. 
She  was  Elizabeth  Taliaferro,  daughter  of  Colonel  Richard 
and  Eliza  Taliaferro,  of  Powhatan,  James  City  County,  and 
married  George  Wythe  about  1755.  (JJict.  Am.  Btog.  so: 

586-589-) 


1773] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


43 


• Jefferson  was  in  Williamsburg  and  its  environs  during 
most  of  January  and  February,  so  he  no  doubt  drank  of  this 
new  wine  made  from  Madeira  and  Malmesey. 

• An  early  variety  of  Pisum  sativum  L.  Probably  one  of 
the  Charlton  Hotspur.  They  were  up  on  April  i and  came 
to  the  table  on  May  22. 

• Marrowfats  belong  to  the  later  varieties  of  peas.  Jeffer- 
son did  not  record  the  first  planting  of  Marrowfats.  They 
appeared  above  ground  on  April  i. 

^ Castanea  sativa  Mill.  This  is  more  commonly  called 
Spanish  chestnut. 

• Castanea  dentata  Borkh.,  American  chestnut.  It  was  a 
common  practice  to  graft  the  European  chestnut  onto  the 
American  one.  Johnson  (Farmers  Encyclopedia:  3Zt)  says: 
“It  may  be  budded  on  the  common  chestnut,  but  is  apt  to  over- 
grow the  stock.” 

• Patrick  Morton  worked  for  Jefferson  at  Monticello.  In 
the  Account  Book  i'j6y~s'j'jo  is  found  this  entry;  “July  23, 
p*  Patrick  Morton  for  5 days  work  iz/€P  Jefferson  wrote 
on  the  Plan  for  Orchard,  1778  (pi.  VII)  ; “Newtown  pippins, 
from  Sandy  Point,  Medlar  Russeting,  Golden  Wildings,  in- 
grafted by  Patrick  Morton  in  1773.  & planted  out  in  1778.” 
(See  Garden  Book,  March  9,  1778.) 

“ Sandy  Point,  Charles  City  County.  It  was  near  The 
Forest. 

“ A variety  of  Prunus  domestica  L. 

The  Green  Gage  is  universally  admitted  to  hold  the  first  rank  in  flavor 
among  all  plums,  and  is  everywhere  highly  esteemed.  During  the  last 
century,  an  English  family  by  the  name  of  Gage,  obtained  a number  of 
fruit  trees  from  the  monks  of  Chartreuse,  near  Paris.  Among  them  was 
a tree  of  this  plum,  which,  having  lost  its  name,  was  called  by  the  gar- 
dener Green  Gage.  (Downing,  Fruits;  276.) 

*•  A variety  of  Prunus  cerasus  L.  Downing  divides  the  va- 
rieties of  cherries  into  four  classes:  Heart  Cherries,  Bigarreau 
Cherries,  Duke  Cherries,  and  Morello  Cherries.  He  places 
Carnation  Cherries  under  the  last  group.  He  describes  it  as 
“a  very  handsome,  light  red,  large  cherry,  highly  esteemed 
here  for  brandying  and  preserving”  (Downing,  Fruits:  194). 
See  plate  VII  for  location  of  Carnation  Cherries.  This  was 
Jefferson’s  favorite  cherry.  (Sec  letter,  Jefferson  to  James 
Barbour,  March  15,  1816.} 


44  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  Ci773 

Downing  lists  six  Duke  Cherries.  It  is  impossible  to  tell 
which  one  of  them  Jefierson  planted  here. 

Probably  belonging  to  the  summer  pears.  Sec  plate  VII 
for  location  of  these  pears. 

“ Newton  Pippin,  a variety  of  Malus  pumila  Mill., 

stands  at  the  head  of  all  apples,  and  is,  when  in  perfection,  acknowledged 
to  be  unrivalled  in  all  the  qualities  which  constitute  a high  flavoured  des- 
sert apple,  to  which  it  combines  the  quality  of  long  keeping  without  the 
least  shrivelling,  retaining  its  high  flavour  to  the  last.  . . . This  variety 
is  a native  of  Newtown,  Long  Island.  (Downing,  Fruits;  ii8.) 

“ The  English  mulberry,  Morus  nigra  L. 

” Broadnax’s  Cherry.  (See  plate  VII.) 

^'As  mentioned  above,  the  graveyard  was  prepared  to  re- 
ceive the  body  of  Dabney  Carr,  who  had  died  on  May  i6  of 
this  year.  Since  then  it  has  been  the  resting  place  of  all  of 
Jefferson’s  immediate  family  and  many  of  his  descendants.  It 
has  been  increased  many  times  since  the  original  8o  feet  square 
were  grubbed.  Jefferson  died  July  4,  1826,  Soon  after  his 
death  there  was  found  among  his  papers  the  following  inscrip- 
tion which  he  had  written  for  his  tombstone : 

Here  was  buried 
Thomas  Jefferson, 

Author  of  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence, 

Of  the  Statute  of  Virginia  for  Religious  Freedom, 

. And  Father  of  the  University  of  Virginia. 

Born  April  2,  1743,  O.  S. 

Died 

The  original  graveyard  was  surrounded  by  weeping  willows. 
In  a memorandum,  about  1808,  to  Edmund  Bacon,  his  over- 
seer, Jefferson  told  him  to  plant  a hedge  of  weeping  willows 
around  the  graveyard.  The  original  tomb  of  Jefferson  was 
so  mutilated  by  vandals  and  souvenir-hunters  that  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  erected  the  present  obelisk  and  sur- 
rounded the  graveyard  with  a tall  iron  fence.  Although  the 
Monticello  estate  has  passed  through  several  hands,  the  grave- 
yard belongs  to  Jefferson’s  descendants.  They  have  organized 
the  Monticello  Graveyard  Association,  which  looks  after  its 
upkeep.  They  meet  annually  at  Monticello  during  the  month 
of  May.  (See  plate  XXI  for  location  of  graveyard.) 


1773] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


45 

In  the  Farm  Book,  under  the  heading  Hoes,  Jefferson  wrote 
the  following  about  grubbing : 

a laborer  will  grub  from  half  an  acre  to  an  acre  a week  of  common 
bushy  land  in  winter. 

2.  .hands  grubbed  the  grave  yard  8o  f.  sq.  = 4 in  34  hours, 
I d®.  will  grub  acre  a week  in  summer  of  the  worst  woodlands,  in- 
closed lands  in  thicket  are  worse. 

the  price  of  grubbing  is  24/  p'.  acre  in  Augusta,  & cutting  down  & 
cutting  up  the  large  timber  ready  for  burning  is  16/. 

In  addition  to  the  articles  for  contracts  with  overseers, 
in  the  Garden  Book,  Jefferson  wrote  similar  articles  for  con- 
tracts in  the  Farm  Book  and  in  the  Account  Book  1773.  They 
are  given  here  because  of  their  importance  in  showing  his  atti- 
tude toward  contracts  with  laborers.  All  of  them  vary  in 
certain  minor  ways. 

From  the  Account  Book  1773: 

Hints  for  contracts  with  Overseers, 

pay  part  of  harvest  expenses,  liquor  & reaping 

he  shall  let  his  employer  have  his  share  of  grain  at  a fixed  price. 

he  shall  not  have  his  share  till  enough  is  taken  out  to  sow. 

allow  a share  for  every  plough  boy  & horse,  or  for  every  two  horses 

where  no  boy. 

to  have  at  the  rate  of  a share  for  every  2 hands  til  it  gets  2. 

shares,  and  never  to  have  more. 

allowances  400  lb.  pork  if  single,  500  lb.  if  marr”. 

to  be  turned  off  at  any  time  of  year  if  misbehaves,  on  paying  30/ 

per  month  for  the  time  past. 

to  pay  for  carrying  own  tob®.  to  market, 

to  pay  for  carriage  of  all  refused  tobacco. 

From  the  Farm  Book: 


Overseers 

Articles  for  contracts  with  them. 

the  employer  to  have  his  share  of  g;rain  at  a fixed  price  at  the  end  of  the 
year  if  he  chuses  it. 

not  to  share  till  seed-grain  is  taken  out,  & then  of  what  is  sold  or  eaten 
by  measure  only. 

allow  4 R share  for  every  horse,  & the  same  for  a plough  boy, 
a share  for  every  8.  hands  as  far  as  16.  but  never  more  than  2.  shares. 
provision  400  lb.  pork  if  single,  500  lb.  if  married. 
to  be  turned  off  at  any  time  of  the  year  if  his  employer  disapproves  of 


4$  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1773 

his  conduct  on  paying  a proportion  of  what  shall  be  made  according  to 
the  time  he  has  staid. 

to  pay  for  carrying  his  share  of  the  crop  to  market. 
to  pay  the  carriage  of  all  refused  tob°. 
to  pay  his  own  taxes  & levies. 
to  pay  his  share  of  liquor  & hiring  at  harvest. 

to  exchange  clear  profits  with  his  employer  at  the  end  of  the  year,  if  the 
employer  chuses  it 

not  allowed  to  keep  a horse  or  goose,  or  keep  a woman  out  of  the  crop 
for  waiting  on  them. 


1774 


1774-' 

Mar.  lo.  sowed  a bed  of  Early  & a bed  of  Marrow-fat 
peas.* 

12.  planted  in  the  S.W.  border  of  the  garden*  the 
following  stones. 

N®.  I.  a Virginian  Almond. — ^N“.  2 — to  13. 
Almonds  * from  the  Streights  ® 

N®.  14.  15.  16.  Apricots. — ^N®.  16.  a Filbert.® 

15.  sowed  the  following  seeds  ^ & distinguished 
them  by  sticking  numbered  sticks  in  the  beds. 
Aglio  di  Toscania.  Garlic.® 


N®.  15. 

Radicchio  di  Pistoia.  Succory,  or 
Wild  Endive.® 

26. 

Cipolle  bianche  di  Tuckahoe,**  the 
Spanish  Onion  of  Miller.** 

31- 

Savoys.** 

33- 

Salsafia.** 

34- 

Cabbage.*® 

35- 

Lettuce.*' 

36. 

Lettuce  (different) 

38. 

Radishes.*® 

39- 

Pepper  grass.*"^ 

47 

48 


[1774 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 

40.  [Cancelled.] 

41.  Salvastrella  “ di  Pisa. 

42.  Sorrel.  Acetosa  di  Pisa.^' 

18 46.  Coclearia  di  Pisa.  (Scurvy  grass 

or  perhaps  Horse-radish.*®) 

47.  Cavol  Capuccio  Spagnola  di 
Pisa.*^ 

56.  Prezzemolo.  parsley.®* 

58.  d®. 

21.  Peas  of  Mar.  10.  are  up.®* 

23.  sowed  the  following  seeds  distinguished  by 
numbered  sticks. 

N“.  12.  Cluster  peas,  or  Bunch  peas.** 

13.  Windsor  beans.*' 

14.  Green  beans  *®  from  Col5  Bland.*^ 

16.  Vetch.** 

37.  Spinaci.  Spinach.®* 

45.  Carote  di  Pisa.*®  Carrots. 

48.  Cavol  broccolo  Francese  di  Pisa.** 
Broccoli. 

49.  Carote.  Carrots. 

51.  Beans.  D'.  Bland.** 

34,  Lattuga.  Lettuce. 

55.  Cipolle.  Col.  Cary.**  Onions. 


1774] 


Jeffersok’s  Garden  Book  49 

57.  Parsnips  “ CoL  Cary. 

59.  Parsnips,  mf  Eppes.” 

60.  Salmon  radishes.” 

61.  Carrots. 

72.  Siberian  wheat." 

24.  sowed  the  following  things  distinguished  by 
numbered  sticks 


N“.  8.‘ 

9-. 

28. 


early  & later  peas  from  Col.  Cary. 


small  Lentils." 


25.  ...N".  29.  green  Lentils 

5*: — Italittn-Gfe99e». 

•73, — Garden'  Cressesi — m^Webb-. 

4.  Black  eyed  peas"  which  yeild 
two  crops.  Colo  R.  Randolph  " 

26 seven  rows,  of  Grano  Estivo*^  from 

Tuscany. 

N®.  50.  Nasturcium"  in  35.' 
little  hills. 


29.  Cresses 
23.  Celery 


[■in  the  meadow." 


Radichio.  the  same  as 
N*.  15,  . . , 


28 Solid  Celery."  in  the  Meadow. 


50 

29- 

Mar.  31. 


jByFBUSON’s  Garden  Book  [i774 

N".  18.  Asparagus. 

5.  Beans  D'.  Clayton." 

Peach  trees  at  Monticello  in  general  bloom 

laid  off  ground  to  be  levelled  for  a future  gar- 
den." the  upper  side  is  44.f.  below  the  upper 
edge  of  the  Round-about  and  parallel  thereto, 
it  is  668.  feet  long,  80  f.  wide,  and  at  each  end 
forms  a triangle,  rectangular  & isosceles,  of 
which  the  legs  are  8o.f.  & the  hypothenuse  113. 
feet,  it-will  be-  better  to-ttdd-gTf;-4n  width-on 
the-upper-^ide^ -which  will- pfrrn»it  bed  under 
ttpper-wall  to  be  8>f» 

planted  the  following  seeds,  trees,  etc. 

twenty  four  apple  trees. 

nineteen  cherry  trees  . . . 

N®.  3.  a doz.  sweet  almonds"  with  smooth 
rinds,  8 of  which  were  cracked,  the 
others  not 

5.  a doz.  d®.  with  hairy  rinds.  8.  cracked, 
the  others  not 

7,  a doz.  d®.  with  hard  shells.  8 cracked. 

10.  32.  bitter  almonds.  20.  cracked. 

13.  20.  Meliache  e Albicocche  " (2  diff*. 
kinds  of  apricots)  12  of  them  cracked, 
the  others  not. 

8.  4.  Ciriege  corniole."  (a  particular 
kind  of  cherry.)  2 of  them  cracked. 


1 from  the  Mountain 
f plains " 


«77«r^ 


■*»  • , 

m^J^ft^ek^  I?  >»< 


*V£a^ 


'4a  /Ci*  fio^ i^,»^ 

y«vm<  J».  jliA«^,r«5^*'»‘f‘*^"^*^“^'' 


>f< 


i^tk^Kt,  BoJ  i 

/IC 


/ 


tiuvwJu*^  c4\An^  f*"***^  — ■'  ^ 

.ri..>-:«3fcAC«,rv^  unJ^^fW^  ^V 

UllLjtA^  £v4^t-C.  ->\Vt 

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7*  <.a^  Ka^  S6*t^A/»S^ 

f$  fl-<> 

/ft  jL^  ^'U.^uukAjc.  e. 

i?  4 Cwn.*^  fcdVTvtff^  1 


*^i  j t * ■ «ji  Z * fl*  /I ^ i1 


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_^jf  jdunvp«Tu»  “SieJfritvrtJU  ./«*iy<»v  3 /wfcv 

. ^Ufri^j1t»uA*ntu(^fft-MMS^ZtrKa 

4>«i>  1j 

£a  4Aii^. 

irti).ttf<m  itir*«M«fciJli<Wt  miifilirifetiii 


aa 

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M4a^ 


Plate  IV.— Page  14  of  the  original  Garieo  Poojf.  Note  the  first  mention  of 
laj'ing  off  a garden,  and  also  the  use  ^ Italian  names  for  vegetables. 


Plate  V,— Jeffer?on*8  earliest  plan  of  the  vegetable  gatden.  He  probably  drew 
lie  plan  about  ma,  at  the  time  he  laid  off  the  ground  for  a garden.  1516  garden  Whs 
later  regraded  and  leveled,  and  the  namber  of  squares  was  increased  to  aa.  Note  the 
outhouses  above  the  garden.  (Jefmon  Papers,  M.  H S.) 


1774] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


51 

I.  198  Cherries  of  different  kinds  from 
Italy." 

14.  about  1 500  olive  stones  ” 

44.  Lamponi,  Raspberries,  (the  seeds)  in 
3.  rows. 

30.  Fragole  Alpine.  Alpine  strawberries 
(the  seeds)  3.  rows, 

22.  Fragole  Mazzese.  May  Strawberries 
(the  seeds.)  3.  rows. 

43.  Fragoloni  di  giardino.  large  garden 
strawberries,  (the  seeds.)  i.  row. 

a bed  of  parsley. 

62.  red  Cabage.®* 

Radishes. 

Apr.  I.  sowed  & planted  as  follows. 

N*.  53.  turneps."*  D'.  Bland. 

25.  Fagiuoli  d’ Augusta." 

19.  d®.  verdi  coll’  occhio  bianco.®*  D. 
Hylton.®^ 

71.  Bonny-Bess.'*  Colo  Bland. 

70.  Snap-beans.  Colo  Bland. 

2.  Fagiuoli  coll’  occhio  di  Provenza." 
7.  d®.  bianchi  di  Parigi  ** 

6.  Cetriuoli.*®  Webb.**  monticini.*® 

5.  d®.  Eppes,"  12.  monticini. 


52 


[1774 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 

4.  the  peas  of  Mar.  24.  come  up. 

5.  Cucumbers,  the  same  as  N“.  6.  only  that  these 
were  steeped  in  water  from  Mar.  31.  till  this 
day  when  they  were  sprouted.®"  10.  hill 

d".  same  as  N“.  5.  only  soaked  as  before.  17. 
hills. 

N”.  63.  Piperone."®  John  Wood.*^ 

52.  Cayenne  Pepper.  D'.  Bland. 

24.  Purple  beans.®®  Ja‘.  Donald.®® 

17.  White  & purple  d®.  d®. 

21.'  Sugar  beans.’'® 

I.  Fagiuoli  bianchi  di  Toscana.’'^ 

6.  N®.  65.  Hotspur  peas.  Monticello.” 

66.  Marrow  fat  d®.  d®. 

Planted  30.  vines  just  below  where  the  new 
garden  wall’'*  will  run,  towards  the  Wester- 
most  end.  8 of  them  at  the  Westermost  end  of 
the  row  were  Spanish  Raisins  from  Colo 
Bland’s,  next  to  them  were  16.  native  vines 
from  Winslow’s  in  New  Kent,”  and  at  the 
Eastermost  end  were  6.  native  vines  of  Monti- 
cello.  they  were  planted  by  some  Tuscan 
Vignerons  ” who  came  over  with  mf  Mazzei.** 
the  manner  was  as  follows. 

Apr.  6.  A trench  4.f.  deep  and  4.f.  wide  was  dug.  at 
the  bottom  were  put  small  green  bushes,  and 
on  them  a thin  coat  of  dung  and  earth  mixed, 
which  raised  the  bed  to  within  2^  feet  of  the 


1774] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


S3 


surface,  the  cuttings  which  were  from  3^  to 
6.f.  long,  apd  which  had  been  hitherto  buried 
in  the  earth,  were  then  produced,  about  18.I. 
of  their  butts  were  dipt  into  a thick  paste  made 
of  cowdung  and  water  and  then  planted  in  the 
bottom,  the  Raisins  3.f.  apart  the  rest  about 
2.f.  having  a stick  stuck  by  each  to  which  it  was 
bound  with  bear  grass  in  order  to  support  it 
while  the  earth  should  be  drawn  in.  the  earth 
was  then  thrown  in,  the  mould  first,  and  after- 
wards the  other  earth  in  the  same  order  in 
which  it  was  dug,  leaving  the  bottom  clay  for 
the  last,  the  earth  was  thrown  in  very  loose  & 
care  was  taken  to  avoid  trampling  in  it.  the 
trench  was  not  quite  filled,  but  left  somewhat 
hollowing  to  receive  & retain  the  water,  & the 
superfluous  earth  was  left  on  each  side  without 
the  trench,  then  the  supporting  sticks  were 
drawn  out  and  would  have  served  for  the  other 
rows  had  the  plantation  been  to  be  continued, 
in  such  a case,  the  rows  are  to  be  4 f.  apart,  so 
that  in  fact  the  whole  surface  is  taken  up  to  the 
depth  of  4.f.  the  best  way  of  doing  it  is  to  dig 
every  other  trench,  and  leave  the  earth  which  is 
thrown  out  exposed  for  a twelve  month,  then 
the  vines  may  be  planted  at  any  time  from  the 
middle  of  November  to  the  first  week  in  April, 
afterwards  dig  the  other  alternate  trenches,  and 
leave  the  earth  of  these  also  exposed  for  a 
twelvemonth,  when  the  latter  trenches  are 
planted,  leave  the  superfluous  earth  in  ridges 
between  the  rows  of  vines  till  by  the  subsidence 
of  the  earth  it  becomes  necessary  to  pull  it  into 
the  trenches,  if  any  of  your  grapes  turn  out 
illy,  cut  off  the  vine  & ingraft  another  on  the 


54 


Jbffbrson's  Garden  Book  [i774 

stock,  an  acre  in  vines  where  they  are  2^  f 
apart  in  the  row  will  admit  4316.  in  all. 

7.  sowed,  planted  etc  as  follows. 

N“.  I.  Cocomere  di  Pistoia.”  Watermel- 
ons. 34.  hills. 

2.  Cocomore  di  seme  Neapolitane.” 
37.  hills. 

12.  Zatte  di  Massa.'"  Canteloupe  mel- 
ons. 18.  hills. 

1 8.  Popone  Arancini  di  Pistoia.” 
Musk  melons,  ii.  hills 

64.  in  the  Meadow.  Rice  ** 

8 [7.  Zucche  bianche.  white  pumpkins. 

22.  monticini 

^ 8.  Zucche  nere.  black  d”.'*  42.  hills. 

1 9.  d".  di  Monacho.  8.  monticini. 

V 

^ 10.  d®.  Lauri.*®  9.  monticini 

II.  d“.  da  Pescatori.**  3.  d®. 

II.  ’•in  making  a stone  wall”  in  my  garden  I find 
by  an  accurate  calculation  that  7^  cubical  feet 
may  be  done  in  a day  by  one  hand  who  brings 
his  own  stone  into  place  and  does  every  thing. 

25.  sowed  4.  rows  of  forward  peas. 

2.  d®.  of*’' 

30.  sowed  N®,  67.  white  beet** 

68.  red  beet. 


from  England. 


1774]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  55 

69.  Scarlet  radishes.®®  Tuckahoe. 
May.  2.  sowed  N®.  3.  Carrots. 

6.  Spinach. 

10.  Curled  Parsley.®* 


II.  Peas. 


ifromD' 
20.  Rap».  Brown’s  “ 

32.  Savoys 
73.  Coleworts  ®* 

75.  Broccoli 
40.  Ice  Lettuce  ** 

May.  4.  the  blue  ridge*®  of  mountains  covered  with 
snow. 


S-  a frost  which  destroyed  almost  every  thing, 
it  killed  the  wheat,  rye,  corn,  many  tobacco 
plants,  and  even  large  saplings,  the  leaves  of 
the  trees  were  entirely  killed,  all  the  shoots  of 
vines,  at  Monticello  near  half  the  fruit  of 
every  kind  was  killed;  and  before  this  no  in- 
stance had  ever  occurred  of  any  fruit  killed 
here  by  the  frost,  in  all  other  places  in  the 
neighborhood  the  destruction  of  fruit  was  total, 
this  frost  was  general  & equally  destructive 
thro  the  whole  country  and  the  neighboring 
colonies.®® 


14.  cherries  ripe. 

16.  first  dish  of  pease  from  earliest  patch.®^ 
26.  a second  patch  of  peas  come  to  table.’* 


^6  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i774 

June.  4.  Windsor  beans  come  to  table.®* 

5.  a third  & fourth  patch  of  peas  come  to  table.”® 

13.  a fifth  patch  of  peas  come  in. 

July.  13.  last  dish  of  peas. 

18.  last  lettuce  from  Gehee’s/”^ 

23.  Cucumbers  from  our  garden. 

31.  Watermelons  from  our  patch.”* 

Aug.  3.  Indian  corn  comes  to  table.*®* 

black  eyed  peas  come  to  table  *®* 

Nov.  16.  this  morning  the  Northern  part  of  the  Blue 
ridge  is  white  with  snow. 

17.  the  first  frost  sufficient  to  kill  any  thing.*®* 


^ i'^74>  Jefferson  was  at  Monticello  during  the  months  of 
March  and  April  of  this  year,  so  that  he  was  able  to  make  the 
most  complete  record  of  the  spring  plantings  since  the  Garden 
Book  was  begun.  The  record  was  made  more  interesting  by 
the  fact  that  a large  number  of  the  plant  names  were  written 
in  Italian,  This  interest  in  Italian  plant  names  came  from  the 
association  of  Jefferson  with  Philip  Mazzei,  an  Italian  who 
came  to  Virginia  in  the  latter  part  of  1773,  to  raise  grapes  and 
other  plants.  He  brought  with  him  many  seeds  and  plants 
from  Europe,  some  of  which  he  gave  to  Jefferson  in  time  for 
the  spring  planting.  Mazzei,  while  searching  for  a tract  of 
land  to  carry  on  his  agricultural  schemes,  stopped  off  at  Monti- 
cello to  see  Jefferson.  Since  Jefferson  had  an  intense  interest 
in  agriculture,  he  persuaded  Mazzei  to  settle  on  a tract  of  land 
adjoining  Monticello  on  the  east,  of  about  2,000  acres,  which 
Jefferson  gave  him.  Mazzei  named  his  place  Colie,  and  while 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


57 


I7H] 

the  house  was  being  built,  he  lived  with  Jefferson  at  Monticello. 
It  was  during  his  sojourn  there  that  the  Italian  names  were 
used  in  the  Garden  Book.  (See  Richard  Cecil  Garlick,  Jr., 
Philip  Mazzei,  Friend  of  Jeferson  (Baltimore,  1933)  : 41. 
Hereafter  cited  as  Garlick,  Philip  Mazzei.) 

Meanwhile  events  other  than  gardening  were  taking  place 
at  Monticello.  On  “Feb.  21,  at  2;ii  P.  M.  felt  a shock  of 
an  earthquake  at  Monticello.  it  shook  the  houses  so  sensi* 
bly  that  everybody  ran  out  doors.”  {Account  Book  1774.) 
This  quake  was  felt  over  a large  part  of  Virginia,  for  John 
Blair,  of  Williamsburg,  wrote  to  Jefferson  on  March  2 : “The 
21**.  ult.  about  2 in  the  afternoon  (some  say  Hour  later) 
we  had  a very  moderate  trembling  of  the  Earth,  so  moderate 
that  not  many  perceived  it,  but  Dr.  Gilmer  informed  me  it 
was  a pretty  smart  shook  with  you;  & by  all  acc‘*.  it  was 
more  severe  as  you  advance  to  the  West"  {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.)  And  on  “Mar.  6.  a flood  in  the  Rivanna  i8  1. 
higher  than  the  one  which  carried  N.  Lewis’s  bridge  away  & 
that  was  the  highest  ever  known  except  the  great  fresh  in 
May  1771"  {Account  Book  1774) • 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jefferson’s  second  daughter,  Jane  Randolph, 
was  born  on  April  3.  This  approaching  event  was  probably 
the  cause  for  Jefferson  remaining  home  much  of  the  early 
spring. 

We  do  not  know  how  much  of  the  main  house  at  Monticello 
was  completed  by  this  year.  Workman  continued  to  burn 
brick.  On  June  2,  Jefferson  “agreed  with  William  Pond  to 
make  brick  for  me  this  summer,  he  is  to  have  2/6  a thousand 
for  making  & burning  the  place  brick,  the  price  of  the  stodc 
bricks  is  to  be  fixt  by  Stephen  Willis."  {Account  Book  I774> ) 

The  Revolutionary  Period  was  approaching.  Jefferson  was 
playing  an  important  part  in  shaping  its  policies.  This  year 
he  and  other  patriotic  leaders  had  the  House  of  Burgesses  pro> 
claim  a “Fast  Day,"  as  Virginia’s  reply  to  the  Boston  Port 
BiU.  He  also  wrote  the  draft  of  “Resolution  of  Albemarle 
County." 

* “Mar.  10.  p*  mr  Cole’s  Ned  for  a gall”  of  peas  5/"  {Ac- 
count Book  1774). 

* The  location  of  this  garden  is  not  known.  The  permanent 
garden,  located  on  the  southeastern  slope,  was  not  laid  off  until 
March  31  -of  this  year. 


58 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1774 


* A variety  of  Prunus  communis  L. 

® Probably  the  Strait  of  Gibraltar  or  the  Strait  of  Messina. 
Around  these  areas  the  almond  is  grown  extensively  and  ex- 
ported to  all  parts  of  the  glohe.  These  almond  stones  as  well 
as  the  stones  of  apricots  and  the  filberts  were  given  to  Jeffer- 
son by  Mazzei. 

* Corylus  avellana  L. 

’’  Most  of  the  plants,  written  with  Italian  names,  were  given 
to  Jefferson  by  Mazzei,  but  occasionally  Jefferson  supplied  the 
Italian  name  to  plants  he  had  already. 

* Translated,  garlic  from  Tuscany,  Italy.  Allium  sativum 

L. 

* Translated,  succory  from  Pistoia,  Italy.  Cichorium  inty- 
bus  L. 

’■"Translated,  white  onion  from  Tuckahoe.  Mazzei  had 
probably  given  this  onion  to  Mr.  Randolph,  at  Tuckahoe,  and 
he  in  turn  had  given  it  to  Jefferson.  Tuckahoe,  in  Goochland 
County,  was  the  home  of  the  late  Colonel  William  Randolph. 
Jefferson  spent  several  years  of  his  early  childhood  there. 

This  white  onion  was  called  Spanish  Onion  by  Philip  Mil- 
ler, in  The  Gardener's  Dictionary  (London,  1759). 

“ A kind  of  blistered  and  puckered  cabbage,  Brassica  oler- 
acea  var.  capitata  L.,  from  Savoy. 

Tragopogon  porrifolius  L.  Called  also  salsify  and  oyster 
plant. 

“ Brassica  oleracea  var.  capitata  L. 

Laetuca  sativa  L. 

Raphanus  sativus  L. 

" Lepidium  sativum  L. 

“ Pimpernel,  used  as  a salad  by  man  and  as  a forage  for 
animals. 

Rumex  acetosa  L.  Translated,  sorrel  from  Pisa,  Italy. 

**  Translated,  scurvy-grass  from  Pisa.  Cochlearia  offici- 
nalis L.,  scurvy-grass.  {Armoracia  rusticana  Gaertn.,  horse- 
radish.) 

’’  Translated,  Spanish  cabbage  heads  from  Pisa. 

” Petroselinum  hortense  Hoffm. 

••  Twelve  days  for  peas  planted  March  10  to  germinate  and 
come  above  ground. 

**A  variety  of  Pisum  sativum  L.  Probably  the  same  as 
Bush  Pea  and  akin  to  the  Tom  Thumb  group  of  peas. 


1774]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  59 

*“  The  Windsor  Bean  is  a variety  of  the  English  Bean,  Vicia 
faba  L. 

**  Probably  the  Green  Windsor  Bean,  a longer  bearer  than 
the  Windsor. 

” Colonel  Richard  Bland  (1710-1776),  born  in  Williams- 
burg, Virginia,  was  the  son  of  Richard  Bland  and  Elizabeth 
(Randolph)  Bland,  of  Jordans  Point,  Prince  George  County. 
He  was  educated  at  William  and  Mary  College  and  at  the 
University  of  Edinburgh.  After  1748  he  was  for  many  years 
a leading  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses.  He  was  a dis- 
tinguished Revolutionary  patriot,  holding  continued  public  of- 
fice until  his  death.  (Tyler,  Virginia  Biography  a:  4—5.) 

*®  Vicia  sp. 

Spinacia  oleracea  L. 

*®  Translated,  carrot  from  Pisa,  Italy. 

Translated,  French  broccoli  from  Pisa. 

Doctor  Theodorick  Bland  (1751-1790)  was  a son  of 
Colonel  Theodorick  Bland  of  Cawsons,  Prince  George  County. 
At  the  age  of  eleven  he  was  sent  to  England  and  studied  at 
Wakefield,  in  Yorkshire,  afterwards  pursuing  a medical  course 
at  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  and  in  1764  he  returned  to 
America.  He  was  among  the  first  in  Virginia  who  opposed 
the  practice  of  medicine  without  a license.  He  continued  his 
profession  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  when 
he  volunteered  for  service.  He  was  appointed  first  a captain, 
later  a lieutenant-colonel,  and  afterwards  a colonel.  In  1779- 
1780  he  was  in  command  of  the  troops  stationed  at  Albemarle 
barracks,  in  Virginia.  He  was  later  a member  of  Congress 
and  served  his  country  conspicuously  in  many  ways.  (Tyler, 
Virginia  Biography  2:5.) 

**  Colonel  Archibald  Cary  (1721-1787)  was  the  son  of 
Henry  Cary  of  Ampthill,  Chesterfield  County,  and  Anne  Ed- 
wards, his  wife.  He  was  educated  at  William  and  Mary  Col- 
lege, and  later  was  a member  of  all  the  assemblies  from  1756 
to  1776,  and  of  the  Revolutionary  conventions  of  1774,  1775, 
and  1776.  He  was  the  first  speaker  of  the  Senate  in  1776 
and  remained  its  presiding  officer  until  his  death.  (Tyler, 
Virginia  Biography  2 : 8.) 

**  Pastinaca  sativa  L. 


6o  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i774 

®*  Francis  Eppes  (1747-1808)  married  Elizabeth  Wayles, 
daughter  of  John  Wayles,  of  The  Forest.  He  lived  at  Ep- 
pington,  Chesterfield  County.  His  son,  John  Wayles  Eppes, 
married  Jefferson’s  daughter  Maria,  who  was  his  cousin.  Jef- 
ferson and  Francis  Eppes  were  close  friends  and  correspond- 
ents for  many  years. 

•*  Salmon  radish,  a variety  of  Raphanus  sativus  L. 

Triticum  aestivutn  L.  Siberian  wheat  is  a variety  of  this. 

•*  Lens  esculenta  Mocnch.  The  small  and  green  lentils  are 
varieties  of  Lens  esculenta.  They  resemble  each  other,  par- 
ticularly in  the  habit  of  growth.  The  principal  distinction  is 
in  the  color  of  the  seeds.  Lentils  are  used  as  food  for  man 
and  cattle. 

*•  A variety  of  Vigna  sinensis  Endl.  This  pea  is  mainly  a 
field  pea  and  is  grown  extensively  in  the  South,  where  it  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  choice  peas.  It  is  cooked  when  green  or 
dry. 

" Probably  Colonel  Richard  Randolph,  of  Henrico  County, 
who 

owned  land  in  Albemarle.  ...  To  Dr.  Thomas  Walker,  as  trustee  of 
the  county,  he  sold  a thousand  acres  ...  on  which  in  1762,  Charlottes- 
ville, the  new  court  house,  was  established.  (Woods,  Albemarle 
County:  302-303.) 

“ Translated,  summer  wheat. 

**  Tropaeolum  majus  L. 

" The  location  of  this  meadow  has  not  been  determined. 

**  The  celery,  Apium  graveolens  var.  dulce  L.,  is  divided  into 
those  with  hollow  stems  and  those  with  solid  stems.  The  solid 
celery  is  either  red  or  white. 

The  beans  here  mentioned  probably  came  from  the  home 
of  John  Clayton,  the  botanist,  who  had  died  in  December  of 
the  previous  year.  John  Clayton  lived  at  Windsor,  his  home 
in  Gloucester  County.  “He  was  an  eminent  botanist;  member 
of  some  of  the  most  learned  societies  of  Europe ; president  of 
the  Virginia  Society  for  Promoting  Useful  Knowledge,  1773; 
and  author  of  Flora  Virginica,  He  was  for  fifty  years  clerk 
of  Gloucester  County,  and  had  a botanical  garden  at  his  estate, 
Windsor."  (Tyler,  Virginia  Biography  1;  212.) 

“The  vegetable  garden  was  located  on  the  southeastern 
slope  of  the  mountain,  just  below  the  first  Round-about.  This 


1774]  JrFFERSON’s  Garden  Book  6 1 

is  the  first  mention  of  laying  out  a garden  on  Monticello  moun- 
tain. It  was  not  completed  until  after  Jefferson’s  retirement 
from  the  Presidency  in  1809.  (See  plates  V,  VI,  XXI,  XXII, 
and  XXX  for  the  location  of  the  garden.) 

Mountain  Plains  was  the  plantation  of  Michael  Woods 
on  Mechum’s  River  and  Lickinghole,  Albemarle  County. 

“ The  sweet  almond  and  those  mentioned  in  Numbers  5,  7, 
10,  are  varieties  of  the  almond,  Prunus  communis  L.  The 
classification  is  based  mainly  on  the  sweetness  or  bitterness  of 
the  kernel.  It  is  interesting  to  note,  in  each  case,  the  larger 
proportion  of  cracked  shells  planted  over  those  not  cracked. 
Jefferson  did  not  indicate  which  method  gave  the  better  results. 

" Translated,  applelike  apricots. 

Cinege  is  the  Italian  word  for  cherry.  Corniole  is  a spe- 
cial variety  of  Italian  cherry. 

These  were  given  to  Jefferson  by  Mazzei. 

“ Olea  europaea  L.  This  was  the  beginning  of  Jefferson’s 
intense  interest  in  growing  the  olive  tree  in  the  United  States. 
He  wished  and  tried  to  make  it  one  of  the  important  crops  of 
the  South.  The  climate  was  too  severe  for  its  successful  cul- 
ture at  Monticello. 

” A red-leaved  form  of  Brassica  oleracea  var.  capitata  L. 

'*  Brassica  rapa  L. 

“ Jefferson  is  here  translating  the  phrase  “beans  from  Au- 
gusta County,  Virginia”  into  Italian.  These  beans  were  prob- 
ably given  to  Thomas  Adams,  Mazzei’s  adviser,  who  was  at 
this  time  building  a house  in  Augusta  County.  Mr.  Adams 
gave  them  to  Jefferson. 

“*  Translated,  green  beans  with  white  eyes. 

” Daniel  L.  Hylton  was  a prominent  merchant  in  Richmond, 
Virginia.  Jefferson  corresponded  with  him,  and  referred  to 
him  frequently  in  his  account  books. 

“ Probably  a variety  of  bean  or  pea. 

*•  Translated,  beans  with  the  eye  from  Provence. 

*“  Translated,  white  beans  from  Paris. 

Translated,  cucumber. 

Probably  George  Webb,  of  Charles  City,  Virginia,  who  in 
1737  patented  upwards  of  7,000  acres  of  land,  near  a moun- 
tain north  of  Earlysville,  Albemarle  County,  still  called  by  his 
name.  (Woods,  Albemarle  County:  7.) 

*®  Translated,  9 little  hills. 


62 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1774 


“ Francis  Eppes.  See  note  35  for  this  year. 

*’  Another  one  of  Jefferson’s  experiments  with  soaking  seeds. 
Farmers  in  Albemarle  County  today  rarely  soak  cucumber 
seeds,  certainly  not  for  6 days. 

Translated,  pepper. 

*’  Probably  John  Wood  of  Albemarle  County.  Woods 
{Albemarle  County)  lists  several  people  by  the  name  of  John 
Wood. 

•*  A variety  of  the  English  bean,  Vida  faba  L. 

*’  William  and  James  Donald  were  merchants  and  shipown- 
ers, of  Greenocks,  Scotland.  They  carried  on  an  extensive 
trade  with  Virginians. 

Probably  Pisum  sativum  L.  var.  macrocarpon  Ser. 

“ Translated,  white  beans  from  Tuscany. 

” These  Hotspur  peas  came  from  Jefferson’s  plants  grown 
at  Monticello, 

” This  garden  wall  separated  the  vegetable  garden  from  the 
terraced  orchard  helow.  (See  plate  VII.) 

“ A variety  of  the  grape,  Vitis  vinifera  L.  “A  large  and 
showy  grape,  ripening  late,  but  requiring  a good  deal  of  heat. 

. . . Bunches  large;  berries  very  large,  oval;  skin  thick,  dark 
red,  flavour  tolerably  sweet  and  rich.”  (Downing,  Fruits: 
238.) 

” Winslow’s,  New  Kent  County.  Unidentifled. 

"Philip  Mazzei  brought  over  with  him  from  Italy  ten 
vignerons.  They  landed  in  Virginia  late  in  1773.  In  the 
summer  of  1774  six  others  arrived  from  Luca,  Italy.  (Gar- 
lick,  Philip  Maszei:  39-43.) 

The  Triumph,  captain  Rogers,  arrived  in  James  river  near  3 weeks 
ago,  from  Leghorn,  addressed  to  Mr.  Mazzei:  By  this  vessel,  we  under- 
stand, Mr.  Mazzei  has  received  sundry  seeds,  vine  cuttings,  plants,  &c. 
together  with  several  Italian  emigrants,  consisting  of  husbandmen  and 
mechanics;  and  by  her  we  also  learn  that  the  presents  of  birds,  seeds, 
and  plants,  sent  by  Mr,  Mazzei,  to  the  grand  duke  of  Tuscany,  were 
graciously  received,  and  that  his  highness  was  pleased  to  order  his  thanks 
to  be  given  Mr.  Mazzei  for  his  attention  and  kindness,  and  to  assure  him 
of  his  royal  favour  and  protection,  on  all  occasions,  that  may  contribute 
to  his  advantage  and  success.  {Virginia  Gazette  (Rind),  Thurs.,  July 
38,  1774.)  (Courtesy  of  Dr.  Cecil  Garlick,  Jr.) 

”Plulip  Mazzei  was  bom  on  December  25,  1730,  in 
Tuscany.  He  died  on  March  19,  1816,  at  Pisa. 


1774] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


63' 


He  was  successively  physician,  merchant,  horticulturalist,  Virginia’s 
Agent  in  Europe  during  the  last  years  of  the  American  Revolution, 
author  of  the  first  accurate  history  of  America  in  French,  Intelligencer 
in  Paris  to  the  King  of  Poland  for  the  first  three  and  a half  years  of  the 
French  Revolution,  and  Private  Adviser  to  the  King  of  Poland  just 
prior  to  the  Second  Division  of  that  unfortunate  State.  Although  he 
was  a native  of  Tuscany,  he  lived  for  a number  of  years  in  Smyrna, 
London,  and  Paris,  and  for  a shorter  length  of  time  in  twenty  odd  other 
cities  of  importance  in  both  the  Old  and  New  Worlds,  was  a naturalized 
citizen  of  Virginia,  and  later  a naturalized  Pole.  Though  a bourgeois 
by  birth,  he  became  the  personal  friend  of  six  rulers,  and  was  aquainted 
with  six  more.  He  had  the  distinction,  not  to  say  misfortune,  of  being 
present  at  the  three  great  national  upheavals  of  the  late  eighteenth  cen- 
tury: the  American  Revolution,  the  French  Revolution,  and  the  Second 
Division  of  Poland.  (Garlick,  Philip  Maxxei:  7.) 

On  January  25,  1793,  Jefferson  wrote  to  Albert  Gallatin 
the  following  concerning  Mr.  Mazzei: 

Mr.  Legaux  called  on  me  this  morning  to  ask  a statement  of  the  ex- 
periment which  was  made  in  Virginia  by  a Mr.  Mazzei,  for  the  raising 
vines  and  making  wines,  and  desired  1 would  address  it  to  you.  Mr. 
Mazzei  was  an  Italian,  and  brought  over  with  him  about  a dozen 
laborers  of  his  own  country,  bound  to  serve  him  four  or  five  years.  . . . 
We  made  up  a subscription  for  him  of  2000  pounds  sterling,  and  he 
began  his  experiment  on  a piece  of  land  adjoining  to  mine.  His  inten- 
tion was  before  die  time  of  his  people  should  expire,  to  import  more  from 
Italy.  He  planted  a considerable  vineyard,  and  attended  to  it  with 
great  diligence  for  three  years.  The  war  then  came  on,  the  time  of  his 
people  soon  expired,  some  of  them  enlisted,  others  chose  to  settle  on 
other  lands  and  labor  for  themselves;  some  were  taken  away  by  the 
gentlemen  of  the  country  for  gardeners,  so  that  there  did  not  remain  a 
single  one  with  him,  and  the  interruption  of  navigation  prevented  his 
importing  others.  In  this  state  of  things  he  was  himself  employed  by 
the  State  of  Virginia  to  go  to  EutOpe  as  their  agent  to  do  some  par- 
ticular business.  He  rented  his  place  to  General  Riedesel,  whose  horses 
in  one  week  destroyed  the  whole  labor  of  three  or  four  years ; and  thus 
ended  an  experiment  which,  from  every  appearance,  would  in  a year  or 
two  more  have  established  the  practicability  of  that  branch  of  culture  in 
America.  This  is  the  sum  of  the  experiment  as  exactly  as  I am  able  to 
state  it  from  memory,  after  such  an  interval  of  time.  (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  9;  14-15.) 

” Translated,  watermelons  from  Pistoia,  Italy.  CitruUus 
vulgaris  Schrad. 

Translated,  watermelon  seeds  from  Naples. 

**  Translated,  cantaloupe  melons  from  Massa.  Cucutnis 
melo  var.  cantalupensis  Naud. 


64  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i774 

Translated,  muskmelons  from  Pistoia.  Cucumts  melo  L. 

®*  A variety  of  Oryza  saliva  L. 

®®  Cucurbita  pepo  L.  The  black  and  white  pumpkins  were 
varieties  of  this  species.  No.  9,  translated,  black  pumpkin 
from  Monaco. 

Translated,  black  pumpkin  from  Lauri. 

®®  Translated,  black  pumpkin  used  by  fishermen  in  Italy. 

®®  Probably  the  stone  wall  below  the  garden  terrace.  This 
is  the  first  mention  of  building  the  garden  wall.  . 

*’  Jefferson  failed  to  mention  what  he  planted  in  these  two 
rows. 

®®  White  and  red  beets  are  varieties  of  Beta  vulgaris  L. 

®“  Varieties  of  Raphanus  sativus  L. 

®®  A variety  of  parsley,  Petroselinum  hortense  var.  crispum 
Bailey. 

Brassica  napus  L. 

®'  Brassica  oleracea  var.  acephala  DC.  In  the  South  these 
are  called  collards. 

®*  Jefferson  was  probably  planting  either  Ice  Cos  lettuce  or 
Ice  Cabbage  lettuce. 

**  Probably  Dr.  William  Brown,  of  Alexandria,  Virginia,  a 
friend  of  Jefferson.  He  was  born  in  1752  in  Haddington- 
shire, Scotland,  where  his  father  was  studying  for  the  ministry. 
He  received  his  medical  education  in  the  University  of  Edin- 
burgh, where  he  received  his  M.D.  degree  in  1770.  After 
graduation  he  returned  to  America  and  settled  in  Alexandria, 
Virginia,  where  he  soon  established  a reputation  as  a physician. 
He  was  appointed  a surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
while  serving  brought  out  the  first  pharmacopeia  published 
in  the  United  States.  He  died  on  January  ii,  1792,  and 
was  buried  in  the  Old  Pohick  Churchyard,  near  Alexandria. 
{Diet.  Am,  Biog.  3:  157.) 

'‘The  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  present  a magnificent  pano- 
rama from  MonticellOf  and  at  no  time  during  the  year  are  they 
more  impressive  than  when  covered  with  snow.  Jefferson 
often  recorded  this  fact. 

"The  frost  that  killed  almost  every  plant  that  had  come 
into  leaf  itMonticello,  also  killed  all  of  Mazzei’s  plants  lately 
set  out  at  Colie.  It  was  so  Severe  at  Williamsburg  that  it 
killed  all  of  the  grapes  in  the  public  vineyard.  (See  Garlick, 
PhUip  Mazzei:  43.) 


1774] 


Jefferson’s  Garuen  Book 


65 

These  peas  were  sown  March  10,  were  up  by  March  21, 
and  came  to  the  table  May  26,  making  78  days  from  time  of 
planting  to  eating. 

Probably  the  cluster  peas  sown  on  March  23. 

The  Windsor  beans  were  sown  on  March  23,  making  a 
total  of  74  days. 

On  June  5 the  third  and  fourth  patch  of  peas  came  to  the 
table;  on  June  13,  a fifth  patch;  and  on  July  13  the  last  dish  of 
peas  came  to  the  table.  By  planting  the  peas  in  succession, 
Jefferson  was  able  to  have  fresh  peas  on  the  table  from  May 
16  to  July  13. 

Jefferson  is  evidently  writing  of  William  McGehee,  who, 
in  1768,  patented  nearly  200  acres  on  Henderson’s  Branch, 
and  near  Secretary’s  Ford.  Jefferson  bought  from  McGehee 
193  acres  near  Colie,  in  1774.  (Memorandum  April  4,  1774, 
Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.)  This  lettuce  was  probably  some 
that  Gehee  (McGehee)  had  planted. 

Today  watermelons  in  Albemarle  County  do  not  ripen  at 
so  early  a date. 

mays  L,  Jefferson  did  not  indicate  when  it  was 

planted. 

The  black-eyed  peas  were  sown  on  March  25,  a period  of 
132  days  from  planting  to  serving  at  the  table. 

In  Albemarle  County  the  average  first  killing  frost  comes 
on  November  5. 


1775 


1775." 

Feb.  25.  sowed  a bed  of  Early  and  a bed  of  Marrowfat 
peas. 

Mar.  10.  the  peach  trees  at  Monticello  in  blossom. 

we  have  had  the  most  favorable  winter  ever 
known  in  the  memory  of  man.  not  more  than 
three  or  four  snows  to  cover  the  ground,  of 
which  two  might  lie  about  two  days  and  the 
others  not  one.  the  only  weather  which  could 
be  called  any  thing  cold  was  for  about  a week 
following  the  frost  before  noted  Nov.  17. 

some  time  in  this  month  (the  particular  time  I 
omitted  to  note)  there  came  very  cold  weather 
& frosts  every  night  for  a week,  which  killed 
every  peach  at  Monticello.  they  were  gener- 
ally killed  in — (tho’  not  universally)  in  the 
neighborhood  also,  apples  & cherries  were 
also  killed,  this  was  the  first  instance  since 
Monticello  was  seated  of  the  fruit  being  totally 
killed;  as  the  frost  of  May.  5.  1774.  was  the 
first  of  a partial  loss.” 

Sep.  21.  this  morning  the  Northern  part  of  the  blue 
ridge  (to  wit  from  opposite  to  Monticello 
Northwardly  as  far  as  we  can  see)  is  white 
with  snow.” 


66 


LATS  VI  — The  location  of  Jefferson’s  v^etaUe  garden  and  orchard  as  it  ajmears  todajr  The  v^etahles  were  planted  in  24  squares 
: part,  wlule  the  orchard  occujned  the  sloping  hiU  to  the  lefL  The  trees  and  the  foundation  of  an  outhonse  are  on  the  side  of  “Muibeny 
inse  in  the  nght  background  is  the  South  j^yilion,  the  first  house  completed  at  MonitetUo 


Plate  VII.— Jefferaon’s  plan  of  tlieorchard,  1778.  This  ivas  tlie  fiist  plan  of  iJie  oidiard  to  show  the  location  of  fruit  trees,  bemes,  and  lines 
See  plate  Vlll.  (jt^aum  'Papers,  M.  B.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


I77S] 


67 


^ ^775*  Jefferson  recorded  only  one  planting  for  the  gar- 
den in  1775.  This  was  his  favorite  pea,  which  was  planted  14 
days  earlier  than  in  1774.  Although  no  records  were  kept, 
there  were  evidently  many  seeds  of  vegetables  planted  to  take 
care  of  the  ever-increasing  family.  Randall  says  that  Jeffer- 
son’s family  in  1775  consisted  of  34  free  persons  and  83  slaves. 

This  was  a very  busy  year  for  Jefferson.  Early  in  the 
spring  he  was  in  Richmond  attending  the  convention  at  which 
he  was  elected  to  the  Continental  Congress.  He  was  twice  in 
Williamsburg  for  the  meetings  of  the  House  of  Burgesses,  and 
in  Philadelphia  in  June  and  October  for  the  Continental  Con- 
gress. He  was  a member  of  many  of  the  important  commit- 
tees. In  spite  of  these  meetings  his  mind  was  constantly  at 
Monticello.  He  was  busy  making  additions  to  the  house  and 
improving  the  grounds  and  roads. 

Although  Jefferson’s  Account  Book  1775  does  not  mention 
any  seeds  or  plants  bought  during  the  year,  it  does  show  that 
he  was  reading  books  and  talking  to  people  about  garden  mat- 
ters. The  following  are  some  of  the  observations  on  garden- 
ing and  farming  that  he  wrote  down  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Account  Book  17751 

27  head  of  cattle  convert  65  loads  of  straw  & haulm  (besides  what  they 
eat  of  it)  into  about  300.  loads  of  dung,  horses  well  littered  yeild  from 
12.  to  17.  loads  of  dung  per  horse.  88.  fat  hogs  converted  5.  loads  of 
straw  & 4 of  stubble  into  go  loads  of  very  rotten  dung,  but  they  had  not 
litter  enough,  they  would  have  made  12.  or  15.  loads  into  manure, 
this  is  much  the  best  of  dungs,  the  above  from  Young’s  rural  aeconomy. 


A pint  of  cotton  seed  contains  of  good  seed goo 

consequently  a bushel  will  contain 57600 

put  4.  in  a hill,  and  it  will  plant  hUls 14400 

if  hills  are  2.f.  apart,  an  acre  will  contain  ab^ II025 

so  that  a bushel  of  seed  will  plant  acres. 


Feb.  8.  a large  plough  with  4.  oxen  ploughed  24.  furrows  half  a mile 
long  10. 1,  broad  & 6. 1.  deep  in  a day,  which  is  about  acres. 

Feb.  8.  calves  which  fall  after  the  i*‘.  June  should  be  killed.  W*". 
Fitzhugh.  lambs  that  fsdl  after  the  first  of  May.  a lamb  whether  ewe 
or  ram  should  not  be  permitted  to  breed  till  the  season  after  it  is  two 
years  old.  the  ram  not  run  with  the  ewes  till  the  rutting  season  comes  on. 

Feb.  8.  Wheat  in  high  land  should  be  sown  as  early  as  August, 
(note  corn  is  laid  by  about  the  last  of  July  generally  or  first  of  August) 
Wheat  in  low  grounds  should  be  sown  about  the  middle  of  September. 
W.  F.,  T.  M,  R. 


68  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1775 

Dr.  Walker  sals  he  remembers  that  the  years  1724  & 1741  were  great 
locust  years,  we  all  remember  that  1758.  was  and  now  they  are  come 
again  this  year  1775.  it  appears  then  that  they  come  periodically  once  in 
17  years,  they  come  out  of  tlie  ground  from  a prodigious  depth,  it  is 
thought  that  they  eat  nothing  while  in  this  state,  laying  their  eggs  in  the 
small  twigs  of  trees  seems  to  be  their  only  business.  The  females  make 
a noise  well  known.  The  males  are  silent. 

two  waggons  bringing  stone  from  the  quarry  to  Monticello  went  from 


the  house  to  the  quarry  in 15' 

loaded  both  of  them  in 25' 

came  up  in 30^ 

unloaded  both  in lo' 

so  that  to  fetch  2 loads  takes  in  the  whole  80' 


* At  Charlottesville,  where  a continuous  weather  record  has 
been  kept  for  the  past  40  years,  the  killing  frost  average>dates 
are  April  6,  the  last  in  the  spring,  and  November  5,  the  first  in 
the  fall.  (See  1941  Yearbook  of  Agriculture,  Climate  and 
Man:  1159.) 

* This  was  an  early  date  for  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  to 
be  covered  with  snow. 


i77<5 

1776.*  Jefferson  seems  to  have  been  too  busy  to  make  any 
recordings  In  the  Garden  Book  for  1776.  This  was  unusual, 
for  he  was  at  Monticello  most  of  the  spring,  and  the  Account 
Book  was  filled  with  the  usual  detail.  His  mother  died  on 
March  31.  He  had  the  responsibility  of  settling  her  estate. 
He  left  for  Philadelphia  on  May  7,  and  remained  there  until 
September  3.  The  important  event  of  the  year  was  the  adop- 
tion of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  on  July  4.  It  is  in- 
teresting to  note  from  the  Account  Book  1776—1778  some  of 
his  minor  interests  preceding  this  eventful  day. 

May  34.  p*  Hillegas  for  fiddlestrings  27/. 

May  28.  p*  for  a Doll  2/. 

June  I.  p*  for  seeing  a monkey  i/. 

July  4.  p"  for  7 p'.  women’s  gloves,  27/. 

Also  on  July  4,  he  “p**  Sparhawk  for  a thermometer  £3-15,” 
and  recorded  the  temperature  four  times.  At  6 A.  M.  the 
temperature  was  68°,  at  9 A.  M.  at  i P.  M.  76“,  and  at  9 
P.  M.  73^°.  From  July  i,  of  this  year,  until  the  end  of  1816, 
Jefferson  kept  an  almost  continuous  record  of  the  weather. 
This  record  was  made  not  only  at  Monticello,  but  wherever  he 
was  located.  On  July  8,  he  paid  Sparhawk  £4—10  for  a ba- 
rometer and  on  September  15,  after  his  return  to  Monticello, 
he  made  several  barometrical  observations  on  the  top  of 
Monticello  and  in  the  surrounding  country.  (See  Account 
Book  1776—1778.)  During  a part  of  the  fall  he  was  in  Wil- 
liamsburg attending  the  Assembly. 

Building  continued  at  Monticello.  On  September  13  he 
“agreed  with  Randolph  Johnson,  a bricklayer,  to  work  @ £4. 
a month,  he  begins  tomorrow”  {Account  Book  1776—1778) . 
On  February  8 he  bought  a deer  from  a man  named  Reynolds 
for  20/,  and  on  September  19  he  bought  a fawn  from  the  same 
for  12/6.  This  was  the  beginning  of  stocking  his  park  with 
deer.  (Sec  plate  XIII  for  location  of  park.) 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book, 

69 


1777 


i777-‘ 

the  fall  of  the  last  year  was  fine.®  the  first 
snow  fell  the  20“*.  of  December,  but  did  not 
lay  a day.  the  day  before  Christmas  the 
weather  set  in  cold.  Christmas  night  a snow 
fell  22  I.  deep,  and  from  that  time  till  the 
7“*.  of  March  was  the  coldest  weather  & upon 
the  whole  the  severest  winter  remembered, 
from  the  20“.  Dec.  to  the  6“.  of  March  fell 
ten  snows  to  cover  the  ground,  and  some  of 
them  deep,  the  9*.  of  March  I think  was  the 
first  rain  in  this  year,  the  rivers  all  that  time 
so  low  that  there  could  be  no  water  trans- 
portation above  the  falls.*  the  10”*.  of  March 
is  the  first  day  we  can  do  any  thing  in  the 
garden,  scarce  any  appearance  of  vegeta- 
tion yet.  -except  in  some  daffodils 

March.  10.  sowed  a patch  of  forward  & a patch  of  latter 
peas. 

II.  sowed  Cavolo  Romano  Paonazzo*  (purple 
cabbage)  in  lower  division  of  the  upper- 
most triangular  bed.® 

sowed  Neapolitan  cabbage*  in  the  division 
next  above. 

& Cavolo  Romano  a broccolini  ^ (Cabbage) 
in  the  next  above  that. 

sowed  also  lettuce  & radishes. 

70 


1777] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


71 


12.  planted  2 beds  of  strawberries. 

sowed  in  an  upper  long  bed  Cavolo  nero 
(Coleworts)  in  the  one  next  below  it  Russia 
curled  greens.* 

13.  planted  another  bed  of  strawberries. 

21.  peas  up.* 

26.  sowed  patch  of  peas.  qu.“  whether  forward 
or  latter,  in  N.Westermost  beds. 

April.  I.  Peach  trees  & Cherry  trees  at  Monticello 
begin  to  blossom." 

sowed  a square  of  peas,  of  one  kind  only, 
qu.  what  ? 

7.  sowed  a bed  of  peas. 

8.  peas  of  March  26.  up.” 

9.  sowed  radishes,  lettuce,  endive,  & red  mus- 
tard. 

14.  sowed  bed  of  peas. 

19.  planted  Cucumbers,  Lima  beans,  Irish  .po- 
tatoes 

June.  4.  forward  peas  of  March  10.  come  to  table. 

July.  6.  cucumbers  come  to  table. 

July.  24,  sowed  Spinach,  endive,”  lettuce,  cresses”  & 
peas. 

•T.  G.”  (who  was  allowed  to  kill  what  he 
chose)  killed  only  9 hogs  for  his  own  family 
& H.  Gaines,”  for  whom  he  allowed  3 of  the 


72 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i777 

9.  four  of  them  were  the  smallest  we  had. 
he  also  had  a beef.” 

*fauns  are  cut  from  3 to  6 weeks  old. 

*kid8  are  fit  for  the  table  from  3 weeks  to  3 
months  old. 

*it  takes  1 1 lb  dble  ref**.^  sugar  to  i lb  good 
Congo  tea. 

d^  ” good  Congo  makes  a dish,  i.e.  640 
dishes  to  the  pound. 

*veals  are  best  from  6.  to  8.  weeks  old,  but 
may  do  from  5.  to  9.  weeks. 


^ ^777‘  Jefferson’s  continued  absence  from  Montieello 
made  noticeable  gaps  in  the  Garden  Book  for  the  year.  The 
record  is  partially  complete  for  March  and  April;  after  July 
24  it  is  blank.  He  was  in  Williamsburg  at  three  different 
times  attending  the  Assembly,  and  each  time  he  stayed  there 
for  many  weeks.  As  at  previous  Assemblies,  he  was  placed 
on  many  important  committees,  and  upon  him  fell  the  weight 
of  preparing  the  reports.  In  addition  to  his  trips  to  Wil- 
liamsburg, he  was  at  Fredericksburg,  Richmond,  Bedford, 
Cumberland  Court  House,  The  Forest,  and  several  other 
places. 

The  birth  of  his  only  son  on  May  28,  and  his  death  on  June 
14,  must  have  affected  Jefferson  profoundly.  He  recorded  it, 
however,  with  the  same  detail. 

The  Account  Book  for -this  year  throws  little  light  on  the 
progress  of  building  and  other  activities  taking  place  on  the 
mountaintop.  On  February  13  he  “engaged  Beckley  to  saw 
me  as  much  plank  as  will  yeild  me  1200  f.  fine  flooring  plank 
in  lengths  of  19.  & 25  f.  I am  to  take  good  & bad  & shall 
allow  him  as  before,”  On  February  26  he  paid  Zacharia 
Rowland  for  freight  on  mahogany,  and  on  April  a6  John 


1777] 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


73 

Brewer  began  to  make  bricks.  In  August  he  added  a buck  to 
his  deer  park.  {Account  Book  lyjd-iyjS.) 

* For  a record  of  the  temperature  for  1777,  see  the  Account 
Book  for  this  year.  Jefferson  wrote  from  Williamsburg  on 
June  8,  1778,  to  John  Fabroni,  a friend  in  France,  describing 
his  method  of  keeping  a record  of  the  weather  and  requesting 
particulars  about  the  climate  there,  in  order  to  make  a com- 
parative estimate  of  the  climates  of  the  two  countries.  Since 
Jefferson  often  mentioned  the  weather  in  the  Garden  Book,  it 
will  be  of  value  to  quote  a portion  of  this  letter  here. 

It  might  not  be  unacceptable  to  you  to  be  informed  for  instance  of  the 
true  power  of  our  climate  as  discoverable  from  the  thermometer,  from 
the  force  and  direction  of  the  winds,  the  quantity  of  rain,  the  plants 
which  grow  without  shelter  in  the  winter  etc.  On  the  other  hand  we 
should  be  much  pleased  with  the  contemporary  observations  on  the  same 
particulars  in  your  country,  which  will  give  us  a comparative  view  of 
the  two  climates.  Farenheit’s  thermometer  is  the  only  one  in  use  with 
us,  I make  my  daily  observations  as  early  as  possible  in  the  morning  & 
again  about  4 o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  these  generally  showing  the 
maxima  of  cold  & heat  in  the  course  of  24  hours.  (Paul  Leicester  Ford, 
ed.,  The  Works  of  Thomas  Jefferson  (12  v..  New  York,  1904)  a;  34O. 
Hereafter  cited  as  Ford,  Jefferson.) 

* Jefferson  referred  here  to  the  falls  of  the  James  River, 
which  are  situated  at  Richmond,  Virginia, 

* Translated,  Roman  purple  cabbage. 

"At  each  end  of  Jefferson’s  new  vegetable  garden  on  the 
southeastern  side  of  the  mountain  was  a triangular  bed. 
These  triangular  beds  were  later  discarded. 

* A cabbage  from  Naples  given  him  by  Mazzei. 

^ Translated,  a Roman  cabbage  in  the  form  of  small  broc- 
coli. 

* Greens  are  either  young  plants  raised  in  the  fall,  and  wintered  ex- 
pressly for  early  cutting,  as  spinach,  German  kale,  &c,,  or  they  are  simi- 
lar young  plants  raised  in  the  spring  for  the  same  purpose,  as  spinach, 
cabbage,  mustard,  &c.,  or  they  are  the  first  young  spring  growth  of  roots 
or  stems  wintered  for  the  purpose  of  producing  them,  as  kale,  cabbage, 
dock,  &C.  (Alexander  Watson,  The  American  Home  Garden  (New 
York,  1865);  143.  Hereafter  cited  as  Watson,  Garden.) 

The  seeds  of  the  greens  mentioned  here  were  probably  given 
to  Jefferson  by  Mr.  Mazzei. 

* The  peas  planted  on  March  lo  required  11  days  to  come 


up. 


74 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1777 


qu.  is  the  abbreviation  for  query  or  question. 

“ In  1774  the  peach  trees  bloomed  on  March  29.  In  1775 
they  were  in  bloom  as  early  as  March  10,  while  this  year  they 
bloomed  as  late  as  April  i. 

“ The  peas  planted  on  March  26  required  14  days  to  come 
up. 

Cichorium  endivia  L. 

Probably  Lepidium  sativum  L.  Garden  cress. 

“ Thomas  Garth. 

The  first  of  the  Garth  family  in  Albemarle  was  Thomas.  . . . The 
next  three  or  four  years  [after  1770]  he  was  employed  by  Mr.  Jefferson 
to  buy  the  Lego  estate  from  William  and  James  Hickman.  ...  He 
owned  all  the  land  stretching  from  near  the  Staunton  Road  ...  to  the 
forks  of  Mechum’s  and  Moorman’s  Rivers.  ...  He  was  appointed  a 
magistrate  in  1791,  and  served  as  Sheriff  in  1807.  He  died  in  1812. 
(Woods,  Albemarle  County  203.) 

There  are  many  references  to  Thomas  Garth  in  Jefferson’s 
account  books.  When  Jefferson  was  in  France,  Garth  was 
second  to  Nicholas  Lewis  in  attending  to  his  affairs. 

” Humphrey  Gaines.  He  worked  for  Jefferson  at  Monti- 
cello.  There  were  several  other  workmen  by  the  name  of 
Gaines.  In  the  Account  Book  for  the  year,  Jefferson  wrote: 
“July  S'  P*  Humphrey  Gaines  £19  4.  balance  due  him  for  3. 
last  years  as  by  settlement  £34  17  4.  Note  y*  year  ended 
June  12.  agreed  in  writing  to  give  him  £35.  for  the  current 
year,  & he  takes  my  word  that  I will  give  him  £5.  more.” 

” In  the  Account  Book  Jefferson  wrote  a fuller 

statement  of  this  entry,  *‘Jan*  29,  Note  T.  Garth  last  year 
killed  9 hogs  for  himself  & Humphr.  Gaines  (for  whom  he 
allowed  3.  of  the  9)  four  of  them  were  the  smallest  we  had. 
Brock  has  killed  12  this  year.” 

“ Double  refined  sugar,  Congo  tea,  a kind  of  black  tea. 

” i pennyweight  equals  is  of  an  ounce,  Troy  weight. 


1778 


1778." 
Feb.  26. 
28. 

Mar.  2. 
Mar.  7. 

9-14. 


sowed  a patch  of  Hotspur  peas® 

planted  carrots  & Salsafy 

sowed  lettuce  & Madeira  onions.* 

planted  19  Bubby  flower  shrubs,  calycanthus.* 
from  the  Green  mountain,*  the  only  place  in 
this  country  I have  ever  heard  of  them,  they 
are  said  to  be  very  common  in  S“.  Carolina.* 

ingrafted,  or  planted  etc.  Cherries,  viz  *Car- 
nation,  *Duke,  •Broadnax’s,  *very  fine  late, 
Myrilla.^  Apples,  viz.  •Newtown  pippins, 
fMedlar  Russetins  fGolden  wildings,  Robin- 
son, Codlin,  White.®  Pears,  viz  *Forward, 
•Late,  *fine  late  large.  Sugar  d®.,  3 kinds  of 
English  d“.,  2 other  kinds.* 

Quinces, 

Nectarines,  plumb 

Plumbs,  viz  Magnum  bonum,  Damascene, 
horsc,^* 

Apricots 

Almonds  bitter. 


for  the  places  see  plan  of  the  orchard.” 
75 


76 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1778 


* these  were  sent  me  from  Sandy  point  by 
Mordecai  Debnam,  in  slips,  March  1773.  & 
then  ingrafted  by  P.  Morton.^® 

t these  were  from  Greenspring  ” 

14.  planted  in  a nursery**  the  following  stones  & 
seeds 

N*.  I.  choice  peaches 
N®.  2.  an  Almond 
N“.  3.  English  Walnuts 
N®.  4.  a French  d®.*' 

N®.  5.  Mogul  plumbs  ** 

N®.  6,  Prunes  ” 

N®.  7.  small  green  plumbs** 

N®.  8.  Pride  of  China.** 

N".  9.  Strawberry  tree  *® 

N®.  10.  Apples. 

13.  sowed  Radish  seed  & Burnet** 

14.  sowed  Charlton  & Early  pearl  peas.**  the  for- 
mer are  in  the  4.  lower  rows. 

planted  out  Raspberries,  goose  berries  & cur- 
rans." 

Peach-trees  begin  to  blossom.** 
peas  of.  .Feb,  26.  just  appearing.** 

Mar.  13.  sowed  radishes  & burnet 


1778] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


77 

14.  sowed  a bed  of  Early  Charlton,  and  another  of 
Early  pearl  peas. 

sowed  Mazzei’s  beans, “ snap  beans  & parsley, 
lettuce  of  Mar.  2.  come  up.®^ 

May.  bought  two  Aegyptian  Acacias  (Mimosa  Nilo- 
tica*®)  from  the  Gardner"  at  Greenspring, 
they  are  from  seeds  planted  March  1777. 

Sep.  12.  one  of  the  Acacias  23  I.  high  the  other  18  I. 

Oct.  12.  their  heights  28^  I.  and  23.I.*® 

Oct.  12.  brought  an  olive  tree  from  Colle.”  it  is  a shoot 
from  an  old  root,  being  one  of  many  brought 
from  Italy  in  1773.  they  stood  the  winter  of 
that  year  and  the  remarkeable  frost  of  May  5. 
1774.  also  the  winters  of  1774  & 1775.'*  planted 
in  the  open  feild  & without  any  cover,  in  Dc- 
cemb.  1775  & Jan.  1776,  there  was  a frost  of 
four  or  five  weeks  duration,  the  earth  being 
frozen  like  a rock  the  whole  time,  this  killed 
all  the  olives ; the  others  totally,  this  one  alone 
sprung  up  from  the  old  root,  it’s  height  now 
is  2i|  I.  took  a cutting  from  it  & planted  it. 
when  an  olive  tree  is  killed  in  Italy  and  a new 
shoot  puts  out,  it  is  ten  years  before  it  bears. 

17.  brought  from  Colle  four  sour  Orange  trees, 
being  new  shoots  from  old  roots  brought  from 
Italy  in  1775.*®  which  have  been  killed  to  the 
root,  these  are  all  remaining  out  of  some  hun- 
dreds the  rest  being  killed  totally,  they  were 
planted  there  in  the  earth,  and  sheltered  to  the 
North  by  a plank  wall,  and  on  the  top  & to  the 


78 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1778 

South  by  matts.  two  of  them  indeed  were 
planted  at  the  ends  of  houses,  one  to  the  South, 
the  other  to  the  East,  and  protected  by  matts. 
they  are  now  put  into  boxes  of  good  Virgin 
mould,  their  heights  are  6^  I.  6^  I.  16  I.  and 
i8j  I.  in  S.  Carolina  the  Orange  trees  were 
killed  generally  by  frost  in  1771.  the  shoots 
which  put  out  from  the  old  roots  begin  to  bear 
this  year. 

23.  the  Roundabout  walk  “ Js 
in  circumference  926  yds. 
by  a survey  of  1806  Aug.  3. 
with  a chain  very  exact  it 
is  169.16  po.  = .529  mile, 
from  Monticello  door  **  to 
the  stone  gate  

thence  to  the  second  gate 
by  the  orchard' 

thence  to  the  Overseer’s 
house  

thence  to  the  stone  flood 
mark  of  1778.  by  the 


river 

1760 

= I.OOOO 

from  head  of  the  Canal 
along  my  private  road  into 

2662 

= 1.5124 

public  road  by  Shadwell 

thence  down  public  road 
to  where  the  mill  road 

1175. 

= .6676 

will  come  in 

660 

= -3750 

183s 

= 1.0426 

mile 
= .5216 

198.  yds  = .1125 
231  ==  .1312 

473  = .2687 


1778] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


79 


from  head  of  the  Canal 
down  the  same  to  Walnut 
where  mill  house  will 


stand 

1225 

==  .6960 

thence  down  the  mill 
road  along  river  side  to 
Chapel  branch  

819 

= 4653 

thence  up  Chapel  branch 
as  the  mill  road  is  to  go 
into  the  public  road  . . . 

616 

= .3500 

2660 

= 1.5113 

Oct.  27.  planted  59.  Aspens."  (Populus  tremula.) 

31.  planted  32  Umbrellas.'* 

Nov.  5.  planted  27.  wild  crabs.”  ii.”  transplanted. 

14.  Pride  of  China  trees."  from  seed  sown  in 
Nursery. 

To  inclose  all  my  lands  on  the  S.W.  side  of  the 
Thoroughfare  road"  following  the  meanders 
of  the  road  and  in  other  places  following  the 
line  would  take  in  about  400  acres  of  land,  & 
require  a fence  about  1323  poles"  long,  sup- 
pose this  to  be  a dry  stone  fence  23. 1 thick 
at  bottom,  19  I.  thick  at  top  & 4 f.  3 I. 
high,  every  perch"  length  of  such  a fence 
is  very  nearly  5.  perch  of  work,  of  course 
there  will  be  6615  perch.  I think  a hand 
will  lay  to  perch  of  brick  work  a day  having 
his  stone  brought  into  place,  one  hand  then 
would  lay  the  whole  in  661^  days  = i loj  weeks 
Years  Month  Weeks" 

= 2 1 z 


8o 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1778 


Nov.  12.  placing  the  Theodolite  **  on  the  top  of  the 
house,  the  Eastern  spur  of  the  High  moun- 
tain" intersects  the  Horizon  19°.  Westward 
of  Willis’s  mountain."  note  the  observation 
was  made  on  the  intersection  of  the  ground 
(not  the  trees)  with  the  horizon. 


^ iTjS.  Jefferson  was  principally  occupied  in  1778  with  the 
law  revision  of  Virginia,  along  with  George  Wythe  and  Ed- 
mund Pendleton,  the  other  members  of  the  Committee  of  Law 
Revisers.  He  was  in  Williamsburg  three  times  during  the 
year,  and  visited  Tuckahoe,  Cowles,  and  Greensprittff.  While 
in  Williamsburg,  in  early  January,  he  “p”  rev*  mr  Andrews 
for  Theodolite  £45,”  which  he  often  used  at  Monticello  for 
measuring  horizontal  and  vertical  angles.  On  June  2 he  “p* 
for  hearing  organ  at  church  12/” — an  enjoyment  he  almost 
always  indulged  in  when  in  Williamsburg,  and  on  June  J he 
“p*  Robert  Nicholson  for  a flower.  5/6.”  (Account  Book 
1776-1778.) 

On  August  I the  Jeffersons’  third  daughter,  Maria,  was 
born,  Martha  and  Maria,  affectionately  called  Polly,  were 
the  only  children  to  survive  childhood. 

Building  on  the  mountaintop  continued  with  unusual  speed 
this  year.  Early  in  February  Jefferson  “agreed  with  W“. 
Rice  that  he  shaU  make  3 stone  columns,  to  find  himself  pro- 
visions, and  assist  in  quarrying,  I am  to  allow  him  the  caps 
and  bases  which  are  done,  the  labor  on  my  two  stone-cutters 
and  give  him  £10  a column.”  On  the  same  day  he  credited 
“John  Brewer  ninety  thousand  workable  bricks  made  & burnt 
@ 5/  the  thousand,  the  kiln  had  36  eyes,  & he  estimated  it 
to  contain  103,000  bricks,  which  is  2861  to  the  eye.  he  de- 
ducted 13,000  for  soft  outside  bricks  unfit  for  use.”  (Ac- 
count Book  1776—1778.)  In  the  middle  of  July  “two  of 
Stephen  Willis’s  people  begin  to  work.”  They  laid  brick 
until  August  14,  when  “Willis’s  people  left  off  work  having 
laid  14,120  brides,”  (Account  Book  1776—1778.) 


1778]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  8i 

During  the  year  Jefferson  hired  several  other  men  to  work 
for  him,  the  most  important  of  whom  was  Anthony  Giannini, 
a vigneron,  brought  over  from  Italy  by  Mazzei  to  work  at 
Colle.  The  following  agreement  was  made  with  Giannini  on 
November  2 : 

agreed  with  Anthony  Giannini  that  he  shall  serve  me  one  year  from 
the  27^  Inst.  I am  to  give  him  £50.  & hnd  him  15  bushels  of  wheat  & 
480  lb.  meat.  i.e.  bacon  when  we  have  it.  if  Mazzei  undertakes  in 
writing  to  pay  the  expenses  of  his  passage  to  Italy  hereafter,  I am  to 
stand  security  for  it  so  long  as  he  is  in  my  service.  {Account  Book 

1776-177^-) 

A buck  fawn  was  added  to  Jefferson’s  park  on  October  9. 

bought  of  Charles  Goodman  a buck  faun,  it  is  to  be  brought  home 
between  Christmas  & blossoming  time,  if  I fetch  it  soon  after  Christ- 
mas I am  to  pay  40/.  if  not  till  near  blossoming  time  50/.  if  he  brings 
it  I pay  £3. 

On  December  8 he  “p"*  B.  Harrison  (Brandon)  in  part  for 
an  elk  £7.-10”  {Account  Book  1776-1778). 

Jefferson’s  planting  this  year  was  chiefly  in  the  orchatd  and 
nursery,  although  the  usual  peas  and  a few  other  vegetables 
were  planted  in  the  garden.  On  September  28  he  "p®  F. 
Eppes  for  seeds  from  Mazzei’s  30/,”  and  on  October  10  he 
“p*  Docf.  Walker’s  Scipio  for  Will  for  35  pints  of  greens- 
word  seed  43/9”  {Account  Book  1776—1778). 

In  November  Jefferson  drew  a plan  of  the  orchard,  show- 
ing the  location  of  the  fruit  trees  and  berries,  and  wrote  a 
memorandum  on  “the  state  of  fruit  trees,  1778,”  to  accom- 
pany it.  (See  plates  VII  and  VIII.)  The  plan  and  memo- 
randum reveal  the  abundance  of  fruit  trees  planted  from  1769 
to  1778.  This  was  an  unusual  accomplishment,  in  view  of 
the  many  other  activities  with  which  Jefferson  was  associated. 

* See  note  2 under  1768. 

* A variety  of  Allium  cepa  L.  “The  variety  is  much  prized 
for  its  extraordinary  size,  and  for  its  mild,  sugary  flavor.  . , . 
It  requires  a long,  warm  season  for  its  greatest  perfection.” 
(Burr,  Vegetables:  135.) 

* Calycanthus  floridus  L.  goes  by  several  , common  names: 
bubby  flower,  strawberry  bush,  sweet-shrub,  and  sweet  Betsy. 

“ A range  of  low  mountains  in  the  southwestern  part  of 
Albemarle  County.  The  range  is  separated  from  Carter’s 
Mountain  by  the  Hardware  River. 


82  Jefferson's  Garden  Book  [1778 

* So  far  as  I have  been  able  to  ascertain,  Calycanthus  is  not 
native  to  the  Green  Mountain  today.  It  is,  however,  indige- 
nous to  certain  parts  of  the  mountains  of  Virginia. 

^ The  cherries  mentioned  here  are  varieties  of  Prunus  cerasus 
L.  Comment  has  already  been  made  on  the  Carnation,  Duke, 
and  Broadnax.  The  Myrilla  is  probably  Jefferson’s  spelling 
for  Morello,  which  Downing  says  is  a fine  fruit. 

* All  of  these  apples  are  varieties  of  Malus  pumila.  Com- 
ment has  been  made  on  the  Newtown  pippins.  Mespilus 
germmica  L.,  the  medlar  russetin,  is  not  included  in  the  apple 
group  today.  The  Goldenwilding  originated  in  North  Caro- 
lina. It  was  of  medium  size,  yellow  color,  and  a sweet  acid 
flavor.  There  are  over  one  dozen  Robinson  Apples  noted  in 
Ragan’s  Nomenclature  of  the  Apple  (1905).  The  codlin, 
also  spelled  codling,  “is  a favorite  apple  in  England  for  pies 
and  stewing;  is  fit  for  this  use  in  August,  and  lasts  till  Oc- 
tober” (T.  G.  Fessenden,  The  New  American  Gardener  (Bos- 
ton, 1839) : 129.  Hereafter  cited  as  Fessenden,  Gardener), 
Downing  says  that  the  fruit  of  the  White  apples  has  a “flesh 
white,  crisp,  tender,  sometimes  almost  melting,  and  of  a mild 
agreeable  flavor.”  He  also  wrote  that  it  was  carried  from 
eastern  to  western  Virginia  by  Neisley,  a nurseryman,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio,  about  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury. The  White  Apple  was  sent  to  Jefferson  in  1773  from 
eastern  Virginia. 

* All  of  these  pears  are  varieties  of  Pyrus  communis  L. 

“ Varieties  of  Prunus  domestica  L.  The  Magnum  bonum 

is  a very  popular  fruit,  chiefly  on  account  of  its  large  and  splendid  ap- 
pearance, and  a slight  acidity,  which  renders  it  admirably  suited  for  mak- 
ing showy  sweetmeats  or  preserves.  When  it  is  raised  in  a fine  warm 
situation,  and  is  fully  matured,  it  is  pretty  well  flavoured,  but  ordi- 
narily, it  is  considered  coarse,  and  as  belonging  to  the  kitchen,  and  not 
to  the  dessert.  (Downing,  Fruits;  286.) 

The  horse  plum  is  “a  very  common  and  inferior  fruit.  . . . 
The  seedlings  make  good  stocks  for  the  nursery.”  (Down- 
ing, Fruits:  301.) 

See  plate  VII. 

” On  March  14  Jefferson  wrote  in  the  Account  Book  1776- 
1778:  “p*  Patrick  Morton  15/6  which  balances  our  acc**  to 
this  day.”  Mordecai  Debnam  was  Clerk  of  Court  for  Charles 
City  County,  Virginia. 


Piatb  VIIL— Jefferson’s  memorandum,  of  the  state  of  the  fruit  trees,  1778.  See 
plate  VII.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


' Plate  IX>— General  plan  of  Monticello.  The  plan  of  the  house  was  drawn  prior 
, to  l77i>^Wl^e  addition  of  shrubs  and  willows  in  the  semiciide  in  i^nt  of  the  house 
«'^mad^aboiit^i8o8.0T  iio^\{Jeftrton Paptn,  M-  H.  S.) 


1778]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  83 

Greenspring,  near  Williamsburg,  was  the  ancient  residence 
of  Governor  Sir  William  Berkeley,  of  three  Philips  Ludwells, 
and  of  William  Lee,  at  one  time  Minister  of  the  United  States 
to  Holland.  It  was  burned  by  Federal  troops  in  1862.  Jef- 
ferson often  visited  Greenspring  when  he  was  in  the  Williams- 
burg area  and  bought  plants  from  the  gardener.  The  estate 
was  celebrated  for  its  three  extensive  orchards,  its  vegetable 
garden,  orangery,  and  field  of  indigo. 

The  location  of  this  nursery  not  known. 

French  walnut.  Probably  another  name  for  English 
walnut. 

“ Mogul.  Unidentified. 

A variety  of  Prunus  domestica  L. 

“ Probably  a greengage  plum. 

Melia  azedarach  L.  Often  called  chinaberry  tree  in  the 
Southern  United  States. 

Arbutus  unedo  L. 

“ Sanguisorba  minor  Scop.  The  young  leaves  are  used  as 
a salad  and  also  for  sheep  forage. 

**  An  early  variety  of  Pisum  sativum.  The  pearl  pea  was 
also  known  as  the  Nonesuch  Pea. 

*®  Either  the  black  raspberry,  Rubus  occidentalis  L.,  or  the 
red  raspberry,  Rubus  idaeus  L.  The  gooseberry,  Ribes  gros^ 
sularia  L.  The  currant,  either  Ribes  nigrum  L.,  the  black 
currant,  or  Ribes  rubrum  L.,  the  red  currant. 

“This  year  the  peach  trees  bloomed  earlier  than  in  the 
preceding  years. 

“ It  took  17  days  for  the  Hotspur  peas,  planted  on  Feb- 
ruary 26,  to  appear  above  ground. 

“ Probably  some  kind  of  Italian  bean  given  to  Jefferson  by 
Mazzei. 

Thirteen  days  were  required  for  lettuce  to  appear  above 
ground. 

**  Mimosa  nilotica.  Now  called  Acacia  farnesiana  WiUd. 

“ “May  24.  p"*  a gardener  at  Greenspring  for  two  Acacias 
& a pretended  debt  of  mF  Wayles’s  36/.”  {Account  Book 

1776-1778'-) 

The  Mimosa  nilotica  was  a favorite  flower  of  Jefferson, 
Jefferson  shows  again  his  keen  interest  in  detail  by  taking  the 
measurements  of  these  acacias. 

See  notes  about  Colie  and  Mazzei  under  the  year  i774» 


84 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1778 


**  See  Garden  Book  for  the  years  1774  and  1775. 

•'  These  orange  trees  were  probably  brought  back  to  Vir- 
ginia in  the  ship  under  Captain  Woodford,  which  Mazzei  had 
sent  to  Leghorn  to  bring  back  plants  and  vignerons, 

The  sour  orange,  Citrus  aurantium  L.  It  is  grown  ex- 
tensively in  Southern  Europe  for  the  making  of  marmalade 
and  perfumery.  It  is  more  hardy  than  the  sweet  orange  and 
is  often  used  as  a stock  for  it. 

“This  Round-about  was  completed  in  1772.  See  note  22 
under  that  year. 

“ See  plates  XXI,  XXII,  and  XXX. 

" This  was  the  beginning  of  the  Aspen  Thicket  which  Jef- 
ferson mentioned  several  times  later.  No  mention  was  made 
of  its  location.  Populus  tremula  L. 

Magnolia  tripetala  L.  Umbrella  tree. 

®’  Pyrus  coronaria  L.  Wild  crab  apple. 

, “ This  figure  refers  to  November  1 1. 

“The  seeds  of  the  Pride  of  China  trees  were  sown  on 
March  14  of  this  year. 

“The  Thoroughfare  Road  ran  through  Monticello  Gap 
and  is  the  main  road  today  leading  to  the  entrance  of  Monti- 
cello. For  many  years  the  Thoroughfare  Road  was  the  only 
road  by  which  people  of  Fluvanna  County,  south  of  the  Riv- 
anna  River,  could  reach  Charlottesville. 

" A pole  is  one  rod. 

“ In  measuring  masonwork  or  stone,  a perch  is  usually  24! 
cubic  feet  (ji  yards  by  i foot  by  feet). 

“ Ther£  is  no  evidence  that  Jefferson  built  a dry  stone  wall 
to  enclose  the  lands  on  the  southwest  side  of  the  Thorough- 
fare. The  lands  were  enclosed  by  a fence. 

^ “ This  is  the  first  time  that  Jefferson  mentioned  the  use  of 
his  theodolite.  He  bought  it  in  January  of  this  year.  See 
note  I,  1778. 

High  Mountain,  now  called  Patterson  Mountain,  was  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Thoroughfare  Road.  Monticello  Gap 
is  between  High  Mountain  and  Monticello  Mountain, 

“Willis  Mountain,  which  has  a height  of  1,159  feet,  is 
situated  40  miles  southeast  of  Monticello  in  Buckingham 
County.  Because  Willis  Mountain  is  an  isolated  one,  easily 
seen  from  Monticello  on  a dear  day,  Jefferson  used  it  as  the 
focal  point  in  calculating  the  latitude  and  longitude  of  various 


1778] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


85 


surrounding  places.  Willis  Mountain  also  fascinated  him  be» 
cause  of  the  optical  phenomenon  called  looming,  which  he 
could  observe  from  Montkello.  He  wrote : 

Having  had  occasion  to  nnention  the  particular  situation  of  Monticello 
for  other  purposes,  I will  just  take  notice  that  its  elevation  affords  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  a phenomenon  which  is  rare  at  land,  though  fre- 
quent at  sea.  The  seamen  call  it  looming.  Philosophy  is  as  yet  in  the 
rear  of  the  seamen,  for  so  far  from  having  accounted  for  it,  she  has  not 
given  it  a name.  Its  principal  effect  is  to  make  distant  objects  appear 
larger,  in  opposition  to  the  general  law  of  vision,  by  which  they  are 
diminished.  I knew  an  instance,  at  York-town,  from  whence  the  water 
prospect  eastwardly  is  without  termination,  wherein  a canoe  with  three 
men,  at  a great  distance  was  taken  for  a ship  with  its  three  masts.  I am 
little  acquainted  with  the  phaenomenon  as  it  shews  itself  at  sea;  but  at 
Monticello  it  is  familiar.  There  is  a solitary  mountain  [Willis  Moun- 
tain] about  forty  miles  off,  in  the  South,  whose  natural  shape,  as  pre- 
sented to  view  there,  is  a regular  cone;  but,  by  the  effect  of  looming,  it 
sometimes  subsides  almost  totally  into  the  horizon;  sometimes  it  rises 
more  acute  and  more  elevated;  sometimes  it  is  hemispherical;  and  some- 
times its  sides  are  perpendicular,  its  top  flat,  and  as  broad  as  its  base.  In 
short  it  assumes  at  times  the  most  whimsical  shapes,  and  all  these  per- 
haps successively  in  the  same  morning.  (Thomas  Jefferson,  Notes  on 
the  State  of  Virginia  (London,  1787):  135-136.) 


1779 


1779-* 

March.  lo.  from  where  the  park®  fence  crosses  the 
branch  at  the  upper  side  of  the  park  to  where 
a point  of  land  makes  in  so  as  to  separate  the 
upper  & lower  meadow  in  the  park,  & forms 
a good  place  for  stopping  the  water  with  a 
short  dam  the  water  falls  44  f.  2.  I. 

C.  H.  Harrison*  sais  fauns  may  be  cut  the 
spring  after  fauned,  or  at  almost  any  age. 

Ry.  Randolph’s*  park  pales  are  8.f.  & ii.f, 
high. 

brought  another  Aegyptian  Acacia  ‘ from 
Greenspring,  it  is  in  blossom. 

about  the  8**.  of  Feb.  this  spring  the  weather 
set  in  remarkeably  mild  & indeed  hot  & so 
continued  till  the  middle  of  March,  which 
had  brought  forward  the  vegetation  more 
than  was  ever  remembered  at  so  early  a 
period,  then  it  set  in  cold;  the  blue  ridge 
covered  with  snow,  and  the  thermometer 
, below  freezing,  this  killed  all  the  fruits 
which  had  blossomed  forward,  the  very 
few  blossoms  which  were  backward  escaped. 
Monticello  seemed  to  suffer  as  much  as  it’s 
neighborhood,  the  weather  then  again  be- 
came mild  till  a thunder  storm  on  the 
April,  and  wind  at  N.W.  brought  on  sev- 

86 


1779] 


Jepfbrson’s  Garden  Book 


87 


eral  severe  frosts,  the  fruit  was  too  for- 
ward to  be  hurt  by  them;  but  the  garden  suf- 
fered extremely,  every  thing  young  & tender 
being  killed,  at  Monticello  nothing  was 
hurt  except  the  leaves  of  the  trees  which  had 
put  out  late.*  but  the  forest  except  near  the 
tops  of  the  mountains  was  totally  blasted  so 
as  to  put  on  the  appearance  of  autumn,  every 
leaf  being  killed  on  the  hardiest  trees,  dog- 
woods & other  early  budding  trees  escaped, 
all  the  flax  ^ was  killed,  all  the  Indian  corn 
which  was  up. 

Apr,  17.  in  opening  the  road  from  a little  above  the 
Thoroughfare  to  mf  Lewis’s  mill  * six  hands 
did  about  120.  yards  a day. 



^ /77p.  The  two  events  which  most  vitally  afiected  life  at 
Monticello  during  this  year  were  the  coming  of  the  Conven- 
tion Troops  to  Albemarle  County  in  early  January,  and  the 
election  of  Jefferson  as  Governor  of  Virginia  on  June  i. 

The  Convention  Troops  were  British  and  German  soldiers 
who  had  been  taken  prisoners  at  Saratoga  on  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne  in  October,  1777.  They  were  first  sent  to  Boston 
and  then  in  the  early  part  of  1779  to  Charlottesville,  Virginia. 
Their  camp  was  located  on  the  northern  bank  of  Ivy  Creek. 
The  place  has  since  been  known  as  The  Barracks. 

The  troops  were  preparing  their  camp  and  gardens  during 
the  severe  cold  spell  which  Jefferson  mentioned  in  the  Garden 
Book  for  this  year.  Their  gardens,  along  with  other  gardens 
of  the  county,  were  almost  totally  destroyed  by  the  severe  frost 
which  followed  the  thunderstorm  and  wind  of  April  17.  This 
loss  and  other  unusual  hardships  caused  much  suffering  to  them 
and  were  the  reasons  for  remonstrances  and  requests  to  Gov- 
ernor Patrick  Henry  to  remove  the  camp  to  some  other  place, 
Jefferson  did  not  agree  with  the  officers  and  men  that  the  camp 


88  Jefferson's  Garden  Book  [i779 

should  be  moved  and  wrote  a letter  to  Governor  Henry  op- 
posing the  suggestion.  One  paragraph  from  his  letter  de- 
scribes the  garden  and  rural  activities  carried  on  at  the  camp : 

The  environs  of  the  barracks  are  delightful,  the  ground  cleared,  laid 
off  in  hundreds  of  gardens,  each  enclosed  in  its  separate  paling ; these  are 
well  prepared,  and  exhibiting  a fine  appearance.  General  Riedesel  alone 
laid  out  upwards  of  two  hundred  pounds  in  garden  seeds  for  the  Ger- 
man troops  only.  Judge  what  an  extent  of  ground  these  seeds  would 
cover.  'There  is  little  doubt  that  their  own  gardens  will  furnish  them  a 
great  abundance  of  vegetables  through  the  year.  Their  poultry,  pigeons 
and  other  preparations  of  that  kind  present  to  the  mind  the  idea  of  a 
company  of  farmers,  rather  than  a camp  of  soldiers.  In  addition  to  the 
barracks  built  for  them  by  the  public,  and  now  very  comfortable,  they 
have  built  great  numbers  for  themselves  in  such  messes  as  fancied  each 
other ; and  the  whole  corps,  both  officers  and  men,  seem  now  happy  and 
satisfied  with  their  situation.  (Woods,  Albemarle  County:  33.) 

Baron  and  Madame  Riedesel,  one  of  the  German  officers 
and  his  wife,  established  themselves  at  Colie,  Philip  Mazzei’s 
home,  and  a warm  friendship  grew  up  between  them  and  the 
Jefferson  household.  On  April  29,  1779,  Jefferson  recorded 
in  his  account  book : “Sold  my  Pianoforte  to  Gen*  Riedesel,  he 
is  to  give  me  £100.“ 

Friendships  were  also  made  between  Jefferson  and  other 
soldiers  of  the  camp,  especially  those  with  musical  talents. 
Jefferson,  having  an  intense  passion  for  music,  often  invited 
the  men  with  their  instruments  to  Monticello  for  a musical 
evening.  The  troops  remained  in  Albemarle  County  until 
October,  1780.  (See  Randall,  Jefferson  i:  232-237,  and 
Woods,  Albemarle  County:  31—34,  for  interesting  accounts  of 
the  encampment  of  the  Convention  Troops  in  Albemarle 
County.) 

The  election  of  Jefferson  to  the  Governorship  made  it  im- 
perative for  him  to  be  in  Williamsburg,  the  capital.  Mrs. 
Jefferson  and  their  children  went  with  him  to  Williamsburg, 
leaving  at  Monticello  only  Thomas  Garth  (the  overseer),  the 
workmen,  and  the  slaves. 

Sept.  3.  on  settlement  of  all  accH  with  T.  Garth  this  day  the  bal- 
ana  in  my  favor  was  338JE— 4s-3d  whereon  he  gave  me  up  my  note 
paiable  Jan.  14.  1775  & my  bond  paiable  Dec.  25,  1777.  which  turned 
the  bailee  against  me  £40-7—9.  but  in  the  account  no  allowance  was 
made  him  for  his  services  as  steward  for  1778,  which  we  have  agreed  tp 
have  settled  by  Nich*.  Lewis,  James  Garland,  & James  Kerr  whose 


1779] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


89 


award  must  be  added  to  the  preceding  balance  & will  make  up  my  whole 
debit  to  him.  moreover  to  save  the  trouble  of  a second  reference  we 
agreed  the  same  gentlemen  should  at  the  same  time  settle  his  wages  as 
steward  for  this  current  year  1779.  {Account  Book  ijjg-iySa.) 

Jefferson  made  no  entry  in  the  Garden  Book  about  plants  in 
the  garden  for  the  year.  But  the  fact  that  his  garden  escaped 
the  severe  frost  following  the  thunderstorm  of  April  17,  indi- 
cates that  the  usual  plants  were  growing  in  it. 

He  made  a few  purchases  of  trees  and  shrubs  during  the 
year.  From  the  Account  Book  i^'^g-iySa: 

Jan.  a8.  p*  Tho"  Potter  for  three  trees  £3. 

Aug.  9.  p*  Tho*  Potter  for  a tree  £3.  (extravag*.) 

Oct.  I.  p^  gardener  at  Greenspring  for  trees  £i  1-8. 

In  the  same  account  book  he  also  mentioned  hiring  a gardener 
from  Mr.  Prentis,  and  lending  the  gardener,  Thompson,  £50. 
Since  Jefferson  was  in  Williamsburg  at  the  time  these  two  items 
were  recorded,  they  may  both  concern  the  gardeners  at  the 
Governor’s  Palace. 

See  plate  XIII  for  location  of  park.  Jefferson  is  again 
making  plans  for  beautifying  the  grounds  at  Monticello.  This 
kind  of  landscaping  linked  up  with  his  grandiose  plans  of  1771. 

* Carter  H.  Harrison.  See  note  14,  1771. 

* Ryland  Randolph.  See  note  15,  1772. 

* “Feb.  27.  p*  for  an  Acacia  £3-6“  {Account  Book  J779- 
1782). 

* The  southeastern  exposure  of  Jefferson’s  garden  and  its 
height  above  the'  valley  often  saved  his  fruits  and  vegetables 
from  the  late  frosts. 

^ Linum  usitatissimum  L.  This  was  the  first  mention  that 
flax  was  planted  at  Monticello.  On  February  3 of  this  year 
Jefferson  wrote;  “P'*  W.  D.  Fite,  mend*  2 Spinn“  wheels  48/’’ 
{Account  Book  1779-1782) . 

* Nicholas  Lewis’s  mill  was  on  the  Rivanna  River. 


1780 

iy8o*  Jefferson  was  almost  continuously  in  Williamsburg 
during  the  first  three  months  of  the  year.  On  April  i the  seat 
of  the  state  government  was  moved  to  Richmond,  and  since 
that  date  the  capital  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  has 
been  located  there.  The  change  of  the  capital  from  Williams- 
burg to  Richmond  was  a convenience  for  Jefferson  because  it 
brought  him  nearer  to  Monticello.  On  June  i he  was  re- 
elected Governor  of  Virginia  and  he  remained  in  office  until  he 
resigned  the  following  year.  A fourth  daughter  was  born  to 
the  Jeffersons  in  Richmond  on  November  3,  They  now  had 
three  daughters  living,  having  lost  one  daughter  and  one  son. 
The  fourth  daughter  died  the  following  April. 

The  year  was  a difficult  one  for  Jefferson.  Mrs.  Jefferson’s 
health  was  precarious.  The  increasing  tempo  of  the  war 
brought  new  problems  for  him  to  solve.  There  is  little  won- 
der that  no  time  was  left  for  jottings  in  the  Garden  Book, 
His  visits  to  Monticello  were  short,  with  little  time  to  record 
the  various  happenings  on  his  busy  mountaintop.  The  house 
was  probably  almost  completed. 

He  wrolre  in  the  Account  Book  for  1780  the  following  en- 
tries : 

Mar.  4.  p*.  Patrick  Morton  for  stocks  & grafting  J&39. 

Mar.  a6.  Abel  24/.  p^.  for  i quart  seed  peas  £6. 

Mar.  27.  p^  Gardener  at  Greenspring  for  seeds  £39. 

Jefferson  was  in  Williamsburg  when  these  entries  were  made, 
but  since  he  moved  to  Richmond  on  April  i,  the  seeds  were 
probably  carried  to  Monticello. 

A portion  of  a letter  from  George  Mason,  of  Gunston  Hall, 
Fairfax  County,  written  on  October  6,  shows  that  his  agricul- 
tural friends  continued  to  send  him  plants. 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 


90 


1780] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


91 


October  6,  1780 

' Fairfax  County,  Gunston  Hall 

Dear  Sir, 

As  my  very  ill  Health,  at  present,  makes  my  attendance  at  the  next 
Session  of  the  Assembly  rather  uncertain,  I take  this  opportunity,  by  my 
son,  of  sending  you  a pint  of  the  Portugal,  and  best  Idnd  of  rare-ripe 
peach  stones.  Almost  all  my  Portugal  peaches  were  stolen  this  year, 
before  they  were  ripe ; but  I have  saved  the  few  stones  I send  you  myself, 
& know  they  are  the  true  sort.  I have  observed  this  kind  of  peach  re- 
quires more  care  than  most  others,  & if  the  trees  are  not  tended,  & the 
Ground  cultivated,  the  fruit  is  apt  to  be  coarse  & harsh;  with  due  cul- 
ture the  peaches  are  the  finest  I ever  tasted.  . . . The  sooner  the  peach 
stones  are  planted  the  better;  if  it  is  deferred  ’til  late  in  the  winter,  very 
few  will  come  up  next  spring;  they  should  be  secured  from  the  moles, 
by  slabs,  or  some  such  thing,  let  into  the  ground.  {Jefferson  Papers, 
Library  of  Congress.) 


lySi.* 

Aug.  7.  in  making  the  terrasses  which  run  off  level  from 
the  aa*  terras,  they  effected  at  the  rate  of  20.  feet 
in  length  a day  to  each  hand,  the  terrasses  ” being 
from  8.  to  10  f.  wide. 

^ 1781.  Jefferson  continued  as  Governor  of  Virginia  until 
June  3.  The  war  was  converging  on  Virginia  from  all  sides. 
The  state  was  not  prepared  to  repel  the  enemy,  since  she  had 
contributed  more  than  her  share  to  the  welfare  of  the  colonies. 
The  early  part  of  this  year  was  one  of  the  most  trying  periods 
in  all  of  Jefferson’s  public  career. 

He  was  in  Richmond,  except  for  short  visits  to  Westham, 
Manchester,  and  Tuckahoe,  until  May  14,  when  he  left  for 
Charlottesville  and  Monticello.  While  at  Monticello  on  June 
4,  he  escaped  capture  by  Tarlcton  and  his  troops.  Although 
the  British  did  practically  no  damage  to  Monticello,  they  al- 
most completely  demolished  Elk  Hill,  his  estate  on  the  James 
River. 

Late  in  June,  at  Poplar  Forest,  Jefferson  fell  from  a horse 
he  was  riding,  and  although  the  injuries  were  not  serious,  they 
kept  him  confined  to  the  house  for  several  weeks.  It  was  dur- 
ing this  confinement  that  he  wrote  the  greater  part  of  his  book, 
Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia. 

This  was  another  year  in  which  only  one  entry  was  made  in 
the  Garden  Book,  despite  the  fact  that  Jefferson  was  at  Monti- 
cello  most  of  the  summer  and  until  early  November.  This 
entry  was  about  the  terraces  of  the  orchard. 

The  Account  Book  1770-1782  shows  that  on  March  31  he 
“sent  Brown  gardener  at  Tuckahoe  for  garden  seeds  £150.” 

92 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


93 


1781] 

He  also  bought  a mockingbird  from  some  one  named  Jame 
for  £18,  and  on  November  30  he  made  a contract  with  Richard 
Gaines  to  act  as  overseer  over  all  of  his  plantations  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Rivanna  River.  Monticello  is  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river. 

* The  terraces  mentioned  here  were  those  of  the  orchard. 


1782 

1782/ 

Feb.  12.*  sent  to  Poplar  For.*  6 Apricot  trees,  2 large 
Morellas,*  2 Kentish  cherries  * 2.  May  Dukes.® 
2 Carnations,  2 Black  hearts,^  2 White  hearts,® 
2 Newtown  pippings,  2 Russetins,  2 Golden 
Wildings,  & some  white  strawberries.® 

Feb,  28.  a flock  of  wild  geese  flying  to  N.W. 

Mar.  30.  the  Farm  second-round-about,^®  taking  in  the 
Mulberry- row  “ is  4444.4  feet  =269.36  po.“ 
= .84  of  a mile. 

Mar.  17.  Almonds  & peaches  blossom." 

May.  6.  Aur.  Bor.“  at  9.  P.M.  a quart  of  Currant 
juice  makes  2.  blue  teacups  of  Jelly,  i quart  of 
juice  to  4.  of  puree  ” 

June  10.  Raspberries  come  & last  a month. 


a.  Calendar  **  of  the  bloom  of  flowets  in  178a.  Note  they  were  planted  this  spring, 
and  the  season  was  very  backward. 

March.  .April  May.  June,  j July  Aug.  Sep.  Octob. 


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Plate  X. — ^Page  as  of  the  original  Garden  Book,  Of  special  interest  is  Jefferson  s 
chart  for  noting  the  tune  and  duration  of  bloom  of  certain  flowers. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


95 


1783] 

Sep.  II.  a quince  weighed  I7”,-I7®’'‘  ®® 

W.  Hornsby’s  **  method  of  preserving  birds. 

Make  a small  incision  between  the  legs  of  the 
bird  ] take  out  the  entrails  & eyes,  wipe  the  in- 
side & with  a quill  force  a passage  through  the 
throat  into  the  body  that  the  ingredients  may 
find  a way  into  the  stomach  & so  pass  off 
through  the  mouth,  fill  the  bird  with  a com- 
position of  f common  salt  & ^ nitre  pounded 
in  a mortar  with  two  tablespoonfuls  of  black  or 
Indian  pepper  to  a pound,  hang  it  up  by  it’s 
legs  8 or  10.  weeks,  & if  the  bird  be  small  it 
will  be  sufficiently  preserved  in  that  time,  if  it 
be  large,  the  process  is  the  same,  but  greater 
attention  will  be  necessary,  the  seasons  also 
should  be  attended  to  in  procuring  them,  as  the 
plumage  is  much  finer  at  one  time  of  the  year 
than  another,  see  5.  Buffon”  194.  another 
composition  for  external  washing. 

Oct.  22.  seventeen  bushels  of  winter  grapes®*  (the  stems 
first  excluded)  made  40  gallons  of  vinegar  of 
the  first  running,  & pouring  water  on,  yeilded 
gallons  ” of  a weaker  kind 

20  bushels  of  peaches  will  make  75  gall®,  of 
mobby  **  i.e.  of  it’s  bulk. 



* 1782.  Jefferson  appears  to  have  been  at  Monticello  from 
the  first  of  January  through  the  first  of  November  except  for  a 
short  trip  to  Poplar  Forest  in  July,  where  he  agreed  to  have 
Bennet  continue  in  Bedford  County  as  his  overseer  for  the 
following  year. 


96 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1782 


The  delicate  condition  of  Mrs.  Jefferson’s  health  in  the 
spring  had  caused  Jefferson  such  concern  that  he  abandoned 
practically  all  of  his  activities  except  that  of  watching  after 
her  comforts. 

Their  sixth  child,  and  their  fifth  daughter,  was  born  on  May 
8.  She  was  the  second  daughter  to  bear  the  name  of  Lucy 
Elizabeth.  After  the  child’s  birth,  Mrs.  Jefferson’s  health 
rapidly  declined.  She  died  on  September  6,  leaving  her  hus- 
band with  three  daughters,  the  youngest  four  months  old. 
Mrs.  Jefferson’s  death  was  the  tragedy  of  Jefferson’s  life,  one 
from  which  he  never  fully  recovered. 

On  November  6 Jefferson  was  in  Richmond  attending  the 
Assembly,  and  on  November  12  he  was  appointed  Peace  Com- 
missioner to  Europe.  He  left  Monticello  for  Philadelphia  in 
December,  preparatory  to  undertaking  this  mission. 

There  were  several  varied  entries  in  the  Garden  Book  for 
the  year,  the  most  interesting  being  the  “Calendar  of  bloom  of 
flowers  In  1782.”  This  was  the  first  time  in  several  years  that 
he  had  mentioned  the  garden  flowers  planted  and  their  bloom- 
ing period.  The  only  purchase  of  seeds,  according  to  the  Ac- 
count Book  1782,  was  on  August  4,  when  he  “p'*  Dr.  Walker’s 
Trim  for  q**.  clover  seed  6/8.” 

The  Marquis  de  Chastellux  visited  Monticello  in  the  spring 
of  1782,  and  sketched  In  his  Travels  in  North  America  (2; 
48)  a charming  description  of  Monticello  and  the  Jefferson 
family.  We  quote  only  one  paragraph  from  the  book,  to 
show  that  Jefferson  had  carried  out  at  least  one  phase  of  his 
landscaping  plans  of  1771,  namely  his  deer  park. 

Mr.  Jefferson  amused  himself  by  raising  a score  of  these  animals 
[deer]  in  his  park;  they  are  become  very  familiar,  which  happens  to  all 
the  animals  of  America;  for  they  are  in  general  much  easier  to  tame  than 
those  of  Europe,  He  amuses  himself  by  feeding  them  with  Indian  corn, 
of  which  the;  are  very  fond,  and  which  they  eat  out  of  his  hand.  I fol- 
lowed him  one  evening  into  a deep  valley,  where  they  are  accustomed  to 
assemble  towards  the  close  of  the  day,  and  saw  them  walk,  run,  and 
bound ; but  the  more  I examined  their  paces,  the  less  1 was  inclined  to 
annex  them  to  any  particular  species  in  Europe.  Mr.  Jefferson  being 
no  sportsman,  and  not  having  crossed  the  sea  could  have  no  decided  opin- 
ion on  this  part  of  natural  history;  but  he  has  not  neglected  the  other 
branches. 


1782] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


97 


® Jefferson  sent  the  fruit  trees  to  Poplar  Forest  by  Jupiter, 
one  of  his  slaves.  In  order  to  get  to  Poplar  Forest  he  had  to 
pass  over  the  James  River  by  ferry.  Jefferson  wrote  in  the 
Account  Book  177^—1^82:  “Feb.  12.  gave  Jup.  for  ferrge  to 
Pop.  For.  3/." 

® Poplar  Forest,  Jefferson’s  other  home,  is  in  Bedford 
County,  Virginia.  The  land  on  which  the  house  was  built  was 
left  to  Mrs.  Jefferson  by  her  father  at  his  death.  The  house, 
which  is  still  in  a fine  state  of  preservation,  was  begun  in  1806, 
but  not  completed  until  several  years  after  Jefferson  retired 
from  the  Presidency  in  1809.  A portion  of  a letter,  written 
to  Mr.  Randall  in  1856  by  one  of  the  granddaughters,  gives  a 
charming  description  of  the  house  and  the  life  there  during 
Jefferson’s  visits. 

The  house  at  Poplar  Forest  was  very  pretty  and  pleasant.  It  was  of 
brick,  one  story  in  front,  and,  owing  to  the  falling  of  the  ground,  two  in 
the  rear.  It  was  an  exact  octagon,  with  a centre-hall  twenty  feet  square, 
lighted  from  above.  This  was  a beautiful  room,  and  served  as  a dining- 
room. Round  it  were  grouped  a bright  drawing-room,  looking  south,  my 
grandfather’s  own  chamber,  three  other  bedrooms,  and  a pantry.  A ter- 
race extended  from  one  side  of  the  house ; there  was  a portico  in  front 
connected  by  a vestibule  with  the  center  room,  and  in  the  rear  a verandah, 
on  which  the  drawing-room  opened,  with  its  windows  to  the  floor.  . . . 
Mr.  Jefferson,  from  the  time  of  his  return  home  in  1809,  was  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  this  Bedford  plantation,  but  it  was  some  years  before  the 
house  was  ready  for  the  reception  of  his  family.  It  was  furnished  in  the 
simplest  manner,  but  had  a very  tasty  air ; there  was  nothing  common  or 
second-rate  about  any  part  of  the  establishment,  although  there  was  no 
appearance  of  expense.  As  soon  as  the  house  was  habitable,  my  grand- 
father began  to  take  the  ladies  of  his  family,  generally  two  at  a time, 
with  him,  whenever  he  went.  His  first  visit  of  a fortnight  or  three 
weeks  was  in  the  spring — the  second,  of  about  six  weeks,  in  the  early  or 
late  autumn.  We  have  staid  as  much  as  two  months  at  a time.  My 
Mother  went  occasionally — ^not  very  often — for  she  had  too  much  to  do 
at  home.  I . . . generally  accompanied  him  with  one  of  my  younger 
sisters.  Mr.  Jefferson  greatly  enjoyed  these  visits.  The  crowd  at 
Monticello  of  friends  and  strangers,  of  stationary  or  ever-varying  guests, 
the  coming  and  going,  the  incessant  calls  upon  his  own  time  and  atten- 
tion, the  want  of  leisure  that  such  a state  of  things  entailed  as  *a  neces- 
sary consequence,  the  bustle  abd  hurry  of  an  almost  perpetual  round  of 
company,  wearied  and  harassed  him  in  the  end,  whatever  pleasure  he 
may  have  taken,  and  it  was  sometimes  great,  in  the  society  and  conversa- 
tion of  his  guests.  At  Poplar  Forest  he  found  in  a pleasant  home,  rest, 
leisure,  power  to  carry  on  his  favorite  pursuits — to  think,  to  study,  to 


p8  JcFFrRSoN’s  Garden  Book  [1782 

read — whilst  the  presence  of  part  of  his  family  took  away  all  character 
of  solitude  from  his  retreat.  (Randall,  Jefferson  3:  342-343-) 

See  plate  XXXVI. 

* A variety  of  the  sour  cherry,  Prunus  cerasus  L.  Downing 
says  that  it  is  a fine  fruit  and  that  its  name  is  said  to  be  de- 
rived from  the  dark  purple  color  of  its  juice,  which  resembles 
that  of  the  Morus  or  mulberry. 

* A variety  of  the  sour  cherry,  Prunus  cerasus  L.  This  is 
probably  what  Downing  calls  the  Late  Kentish,  or  the  Pie 
Cherry. 

* A variety  of  the  sour  cherry,  Prunus  cerasus  L.  Downing 
says  {Fruits:  191):  “This  invaluable  early  cherry  is  one  of 
the  most  popular  sorts  in  all  countries,  thriving  almost  equally 
well  in  cold  or  warm  climates.  This,  the  Black  Heart,  and 
the  Bigarreau,  are  the  most  extensively  diffused  of  all  the  finer 
varieties  in  the  United  States.” 

^ “The  Black  Heart,  an  old  variety,  is  better  known  than 
almost  any  other  cherry  in  this  country,  and  its  great  fruitful- 
ness and  good  flavour,  together  with  the  hardiness  and  the 
large  size  to  which  the  tree  grows,  render  it  everywhere 
esteemed"  (Downing,  Fruits:  169). 

® The  White  Heart  also  belongs  to  the  sweet  cherry  group. 
Downing  writes  {Fruits:  173)  : “An  old  variety,  long  culti- 
vated in  this  country,  and  one  of  the  earliest,  ripening  before 
the  Mayduke.” 

* A variety  of  Fragaria  vesca  L.  The  white  strawberries 
are  the  white-fruited  forms  of  the  Alpine  strawberries,  which 
came  from  Fragaria  vesca  L. 

This  is  the  first  mention  of  the  second  Round-about.  It 
is  not  known  when  it  was  begun  or  completed.  (See  plate 
XXII.) 

The  Mulberry  Row  was  also  a part  of  the  First  Round- 
about. It  was  just  above  the  terraced  garden  and  ran  in  front 
of  the  Nailery  and  other  outhouses.  Its  name  came  from  the 
mulberries  planted  along  the  side.  (See  plate  XXL) 

Po.  is  the  abbreviation  for  poles. 

**  This  was  the  last  time  Jefferson  mentioned  the  blossoming 
of  the  peach  trees  before  his  departure  for  France. 

^‘Aurora  borealis.  This  was  a phenomenon  which  fasci- 
nated Jefferson.  He  recorded  it  often  in  his  weather  records. 


1782] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


99 

Puree  here  means  pulp,  i.  e.,  four  quarts  of  pulp  to  make 
one  quart  of  juice. 

This  Calendar  of  Bloom  is  important  because  it  shows  the 
length  of  the  blooming  period  of  certain  flowers.  While  Jef- 
ferson was  President,  he  kept  a similar  memorandum  of  the 
Vegetable  Market  of  Washington.  (See  appendix  III.) 

Muscari  comosum  var.  monstrosum  L. 

Narcissus  jonquilla  L. 

Hyacinthus  orientalis  L. 

“ Probably  Anemone  pulsatilla  L.  This  species  was  grown 
at  Monticello. 

Probably  Ranunculus  repens  L.  var.  pleniftorus  Fernald. 
This  variety  of  double  buttercup  was  later  planted  at  Monti- 
cello. 

**  Iris  bicolor,  a trade-name  of  uncertain  application  (L.  H. 
Bailey,  Hortus  (New  York,  1930) : 328). 

““  Tropaeolum  majus  L. 

Tulipa  spp. 

" Probably  Lilium  chalcedonicum  L.  Scarlet  lily. 

^ Lilium  candidum  L.  Now  commonly  called  Madonna 
Lily. 

Paeonia  sp. 

™ Dianthus  barbatus  L. 

*®  Althaea  rosea  Cav. 

Calycanthus  fioridus  L. 

" Crimson  Dwarf  Rose,  Rosa  sp. 

Cydonia  oblonga  Mill. 

See  note  3,  under  1767,  for  Table  of  Troy  TFeight. 

®*  W.  Hornsby  lived  in  Albemarle  County. 

*®  Georges  Louis  Leclerc  de  Bufion  was  born  at  Montbard, 
in  Burgundy,  in  1707.  After  studying  law,  he  devoted  him- 
self wholly  to  science.  He  was  later  admitted  to  the  Academy 
and  in  1739  was  appointed  director  of  the  Jardin  du  Roi. 
His  greatest  contribution  to  science  was  his  Histoire  Naturelle 
in  15  volumes.  He  was  a friend  of  JeSerson  and  carried  on  a 
correspondence  with  him.  Buffon  died  in  1788.  (Funk  and 
Wagnalls,  Standard  Encyclopedia  (New  York,  191a)  5: 171— 

**  It  is  diflicult  to  tell  here  whether  Jefferson  is  writing  of 
his  own  winter  grapes  or  setting  down  some  information  he 
had  obtained  from  a book  or  conversation. 


100 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1782 


" Jefferson  failed  to  write  the  number  of  gallons. 

In  the  West  Indies  tnobby  is  a spirituous  liquor  made  from 
batatas  or  sweet  potato.  In  America  it  is  the  expressed  juice 
of  apples  and  peaches,  used  in  the  distillation  of  apple  and 
peach  brandy;  also  the  brandy  itself.  {Oxford  English  Dic- 
tionary 6:  560.) 


1783 


i783.‘ 

2*.  & 3**  September.  White  frosts  which ‘killed  vines  in 
this  neighborhood,  killed  tobo  in  the  N.  Gar- 
den,* fodder  & latter  corn  in  Augusta,*  & for- 
ward corn  in  Greenbriar  * 

^ 1783.  Jefferson  was  at  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Rich- 
mond, and  Tuckahoe  during  the  early  months  of  the  year. 
He  returned  to  Monticello  on  May  15. 

In  November  of  the  preceding  year  he  had  been  appointed 
Peace  Commissioner  to  Europe.  Soon  after,  rumors  of  peace 
reached  him,  so  that  he  spent  most  of  the  winter  waiting  for  a 
confirmation  of  it.  In  the  spring  of  this  year  a provisional 
treaty  was  signed,  and  since  there  was  no  further  need  for 
Jefferson  to  go  to  France,  he  returned  to  Monticello  and  spent 
most  of  the  summer  there  with  his  children  and  the  Carr 
family,  who  were  still  making  their  home  with  him. 

He  was  elected  to  Congress  on  June  6,  and  on  October  16 
left  Monticello  to  take  his  seat  in  the  Congress  then  meeting 
in  Trenton,  N.  J.  On  November  4 the  Congress  adjourned 
to  Annapolis,  to  meet  again  on  the  26th.  He  was  in  Philadel- 
phia and  Annapolis  for  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

Before  leaving  for  Congress,  Jefferson  had  left  his  two 
younger  daughters  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Francis  Eppes,  of 
Eppington  in  Virginia.  He  took  Martha,  his  oldest  daughter, 
with  him  and  placed  her  in  a boarding  school  in  Philadelphia. 
Monticello  was  closed  until  his  return  to  Virginia  in  Decem- 
ber, 1789. 

Although  Jefferson  was  at  Monticello  most  of  the  summer 
and  fall,  there  is  but  a solitary  entry  in  the  Garden  Book  for 


101 


102  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1783 

the  year,  and  this  dealt  with  the  frosts  of  September  2 and  3. 
The  garden  apparently  was  planted  as  usual,  and  the  first  peas 
and  other  Vegetables  came  to  the  table  as  in  former  years,  for 
there  was  the  usual  large  number  of  persons  to  feed.  The 
account  books,  which  often  supplemented  the  Garden  Book, 
have  practically  nothing  in  them  to  indicate  what  was  happen- 
ing on  the  mountain. 

Three  entries  in  the  Account  Book  lySs-iypo  indicate  that 
men  were  still  being  hired  to  carry  on  the  work.  On  “May 
16.  W“.  Orr  begins  to  work,”  and  on  September  20  he  “agreed 
with  Joseph  Price  to  serve  me  a year  as  carpenter.  I give  him 
£30.  500  lb.  pork  & fodder  for  a horse  & cow.”  Four  days 
later  he  “agreed  with  John  Key  to  serve  me  as  steward  an- 
other year  for  £80.” 

^ North  Garden,  a small  village  about  12  miles  south  of 
Charlottesville. 

• Augusta  County,  Virginia,  is  west  from  Monticello,  across 
the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains. 

* Greenbriar  County,  Virginia.  This  county  is  now  a part 
of  West  Virginia. 


1784 

1784*  Jefferson  was  still  at  Annapolis  when  the  year 
opened.  On  May  7 he  was  appointed  Minister  Plenipotenti- 
ary to  France  to  act  in  conjunction  with  Benjamin  Franklin  and 
John  Adams.  He  accepted  this  mission  and  made  prepara- 
tions to  leave  Annapolis  on  May  ii  for  Boston,  in  order  to 
sail  from  that  port  to  France.  Martha,  his  oldest  daughter, 
was  to  accompany  him. 

Jefferson  did  not  return  to  Monticello  before  his  departure 
for  Europe.  The  house  remained  closed  until  his  return  in 
1789.  Early  in  the  year  he  made  an  agreement  with  Nicholas 
Lewis,  of  Albemarle  County,  to  manage  his  entire  estates  with 
the  aid  of  Mr.  Francis  Eppes,  of  Chesterfield  County,  while 
he  was  absent.  They  were  to  apply  all  of  the  profits  to  the 
payment  of  his  debts.  (See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Alexander 
McCaul,  London,  April  19,  1786.  Ford,  Jefferson’s  Writings 
5;  90.  Also  “Agreement  with  Nicholas  Lewis,”  Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

There  were  no  entries  in  the  Garden  Book  for  this  year  and 
the  succeeding  ones  until  1790.  We  know  very  little  about 
what  happened  at  Monticello  during  Jefferson’s  absence. 

In  the  spring  of  1784  Jefferson  received  an  interesting  letter 
from  Mr.  Ralph  Izard,  his  friend,  which  reveals  in  part  Jef- 
ferson’s reputation  as  an  agriculturist  and  farmer. 

The  Elms,  South  Carolina 
27“  April,  1784 

Dear  Sir, 

...  I am  settled  upon  an  agreeable  spot,  about  18  miles  from  Charles 
Town.  A Plantation  long  neglected,  but  pleasantly  situated.  Sc  capable 
of  great  improvement.  This  1 am  attempting;  & my  inclination  would 
lead  me  never  to  enter  again  into  public  life.  1 have  sown  Ten  Acres  of 
Lucerne  in  Drills,  at  the  distance  of  40  Inches  from  each  other.  This 
was  done  about  the  loth  March,  & it  is  come  up  very  well.  I have 
lately  had  a very  troublesome  piece  of  work.  A quantity  of  grass,  & 
weeds  got  so  intimately  connected,  & combined  with  the  Plants,  that  the 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book, 

103 


104 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1784 

Hoe  was  of  little,  or  no  service,  & I was  obliged  to  have  the  whole  hand* 
picked,  which  employed  20  working  hands  six  days.  The  ground  had 
lain  fallow  three  or  four  years;  & I was  so  backward  in  other  parts  of 
my  Farm,  that  I ploughed  & harrowed  it  only  once,  which  I believe  is 
the  reason  of  my  having  so  much  trouble  with  it.  If  it  would  not  be 
deemed  too  selfish,  and  too  injurious  to  our  friends  in  Virginia,  I could 
express  a wish,  which  I sincerely  feel,  that  you  were  settled  within  a 
Mile,  or  Two  of  me,  that  I might  have  recourse  to  you  for  advice  on 
this,  & other  occasions. 

Ra.  Izard 

Is  there  a possibility  of  having  three,  or  four  Hundred  young  Grafted 
Crab  apple  Trees  sent  me  here  from  Virginia? 

(Jefferson  PaperSj  L,  C.) 

Jelierson,  with  his  daughter  Martha,  sailed  from  Boston  on 
July  5,  on  the  ship  C^res,  His  records  of  the  temperature  and 
observations  of  the  birds  and  marine  life  seen  each  day  on  the 
voyage  show  his  keen  interest  in  nature.  They  were  in  Paris 
on  August  6.  By  August  26  Martha,  or  Patsy,  as  he  lovingly 
called  her,  was  in  school  at  the  Mde  de  Pmthemnt,  On 
September  15  he  went  to  see  the  gardens  at  Versailles,  a beauty 
spot  he  frequented  during  his  stay  in  Paris.  For  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year  he  attended  to  his  official  duties  and  en- 
joyed the  intellectual  and  artistic  life  of  Paris. 


1785 

1785*  By  the  beginning  of  this  year  Jefferson,  who  had 
been  in  France  nearly  six  months,  had  become  fully  acquainted 
with  the  varied  life  of  Paris.  His  interests  and  sympathies 
were  so  broad  that  he  was  quick  to  avail  himself  of  all  the 
cultural  phases  of  French  life.  In  the  early  years  of  his  stay 
music  especially  attracted  him,  and  he  was  a constant  attendant 
at  the  concerts.  On  September  30  he  wrote  to  Carlo  Bellini, 
professor  of  modern  languages  at  the  College  of  William  and 
Mary: 

Were  I to  proceed  to  tell  you  how  much  I enjoy  their  architecture, 
sculpture,  painting,  music,  I should  want  words.  It  is  in  these  arts  they 
shine.  The  last  of  them,  particularly,  is  an  enjoyment,  the  deprivation 
of  which,  with  us,  cannot  be  calculated.  I am  almost  ready  to  say,  it  is 
the  only  thing  which  from  my  heart  I envy  them,  and  which,  in  spite  of 
all  the  authority  of  the  Decalogue,  I do  covet.  (Randall,  Jefferson  i: 

433-434.) 

Early  in  January  Jefferson  received  word  from  Virginia 
that  his  youngest  daughter,  Lucy  Elizabeth,  who  had  been  left 
in  Virginia  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Francis  Eppes,  had  died  in  No« 
vember  of  the  preceding  year.  Jefferson  had  only  two  sur- 
viving children,  Maria  in  Virginia,  and  Martha  with  him  in 
Paris. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  Dr.  Franklin  returned  to  America, 
and  Mr.  Adams  went  to  England  as  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
to  the  British  Court.  Jefferson  was  appointed  to  succeed 
Franklin  in  the  same  capacity  in  the  Court  of  France. 

There  are  several  entries  from  the  Account  Book  1783— 
1790  relative  to  Jefferson’s  interest  in  gardens  and  gardening: 

Jan  29.  p*.  for  a dial.  12  f. 

May  22.  Petit  comes  into  my  service.  [Petit  was  a favorite  steward 
of  Jefferson’s.  He  later  followed  Jefferson  to  Philadelphia  and  served 
him  in  various  capacities.] 

June  27.  p^  ferrage,  breakfast,  & coach  hire  King's  gardens  3 f 16. 

July  19,  p*  chair  hire  at  Versailles  i f 4. 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

105 


Io6  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1785 

Aug.  8.  p®  seeing  the  windlass  plough,  3 f . 

Sept.  I.  for  seeds  27-8. 

Sept.  9.  p^  Noseda  for  a thermometer,  12  f. 

On  October  25  Jefferson  went  to  Fontainebleau  (^Account 
Book  iygi—1803).  While  there  he  wrote  to  the  Reverend 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  College  of  William  and 
Mary,  at  Williamsburg,  Virginia,  an  illuminating  letter  on 
fruits  and  fruit  trees  of  France.  How  many  of  the  trees  col- 
lected for  him  were  brought  back  to  Virginia  is  not  known. 

Fontainebleau,  Oct.  28,  1785. 

To  Reverend  James  Madison, 

. . . After  descending  the  hill  again  I saw  a man  cutting  fern,  I 
went  to  him  under  pretence  of  asking  the  shortest  road  to  town,  and 
afterwards  asked  for  what  use  he  was  cutting  fern.  He  told  me  that 
this  part  of  the  country  furnished  a great  deal  of  fruit  to  Paris.  That 
when  packed  in  straw  it  acquired  an  ill  taste,  but  that  dry  fern  preserved 
it  perfectly  without  communicating  any  taste  at  all. 

I treasured  this  observation  for  the  preservation  of  my  apples  on  my 
return  to  my  own  country.  They  have  no  apples  here  to  compare  with 
our  Redtown  pippin.  They  have  nothing  which  deserves  the  name  of 
a peach;  there  being  not  sun  enough  to  ripen  the  plum-peach  and  the 
best  of  their  soft  peaches  being  like  our  autumn  peaches.  Their  cherries 
and  strawberries  are  fair,  but  I think  lack  flavor.  Their  plums  I think 
are  better ; so  also  their  gooseberries,  and  the  pears  infinitely  beyond  any 
thing  we  possess.  They  have  nothing  better  than  our  sweet-water ; but 
they  have  a succession  of  as  good  from  early  in  the  summer  till  frost. 

I am  tomorrow  to  get  (to)  M.  Malsherbes  (an  uncle  of  the  Chevalier 
Luzerne’s)  about  seven  leagues  from  hence,  who  is  the  most  curious  man 
in  France  as  to  his  trees.  He  is  making  for  me  a collection  of  the  vines 
from  which  the  Burgundy,  Champagne,  Bordeaux,  Frontignac,  and  other 
of  the  most  valuable  wines  of  this  country  are  made.  Another  gentle- 
man is  collecting  for  me  the  best  eating  grapes,  including  what  we  call 
the  raisin.  I propose  also  to  endeavor  to  colonize  their  hare,  rabbit,  red 
and  gray  partridge,  pheasants  of  different  kinds,  and  some  other  birds. 
, . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  19:  19-20.) 

Toward  the  dose  of  the  year  Jefferson  was  elected  an 
honorary  member  of  the  South  Carolina  Society  for  Promot- 
ing Agriculture,  an  honor  which  he  prized  highly.  This  honor 
opened  a correspondence  between  him  and  members  of  the  so- 
ciety, which  resulted  in  Jefferson’s  sending  great  quantities  of 
olive  trees  and  rice  to  the  society  in  order  to  test  the  possibility 
of  their  culture  in  the  South. 


1785] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


107 


Charleston,  South  Carolina 
November  23^  1785 
Sir, 

As  chairnaan  of  the  Committee  of  the  South  Carolina  Society  for  pro- 
moting & improving  Agriculture  & other  rural  Concerns,  I am  directed 
to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  you  are  unanimously  elected  an  honorary 
member  of  that  Society;  and  I herewith  transmit  to  your  Excellency  a 
copy  of  an  Address  & their  Rules,  published  at  their  Institution. 

, I have  the  Honour  to  be  with  great  Respect 

Your  Excellency’s  most  obedient  & most  humble 
Servant. 

Wm.  Drayton 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


1786 

1^86.*  During  January  and  February,  1786,  Jefferson 
spent  a considerable  part  of  his  time  replying  to  a series  of 
questions  on  America  asked  him  by  the  editor  of  the  Encyclo- 
pedie  Methodique.  However,  he  found  time  early  in  January 
to  write  to  his  friend,  David  Ramsay,  physician  and  historian 
of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  requesting  Dr.  Ramsay  to  send 
to  him  plants  of  Magnolia  and  Dionaea. 

. Paris,  Jan.  1786 

Dear  Sir, 

Since  writing  my  letter  of  yesterday  a person  whom  I am  very  desirous 
of  obliging,  has  asked  me  to  procure  from  South  Carolina  some  plants  of 
the  Magnolia  grandiflora,  sometimes  called  altissima,  and  some  seeds  of 
the  Dionaea  muscipula.  if  you  can  be  instrumental  in  procuring  them 
you  will  gratify  me  much.  I have  heard  that  there  is  one  Watson  at 
Charleston  who  furnishes  these  articles  well.  I am  of  the  opinion  they 
had  better  come  to  N.  York,  and  from  thence  to  be  sent  here  in  the 
packet,  for  I think  there  is  scarcely  any  direct  communication  between 
Charleston  & France,  the  proper  season  for  sending  the  plants  of 
Magnolia  must  of  course  be  awaited;  but  the  seeds  of  the  Dionaea  I 
suppose  may  come  at  any  time.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

In  order  to  Introduce  native  plants  to  the  gardens  of  France, 
Jefferson  often  wrote  home  to  his  friends  to  send  him  certain 
plants  that  he  thought  would  be  of  interest  and  value  to  his 
friends  in  France.  Among  the  first  of  these  requests  was  one 
to  his  friend,  Francis  Hopkinson,  of  Philadelphia,  to  send  him 
some  nuts  of  the  paccan  (pecan)  tree.  He  had  described  this 
tree  in  his  Notes  on  Firginia,  and  this  no  doubt  created  an  in- 
terest among  his  French  friends  to  see  it.  The  tree  seemed  to 
fascinate  Jefferson,  for  he  constantly  wrote  to  other  friends 
for  its  nuts.  When  he  returned  to  Monticello,  he  planted 
several  hundred  of  them  there. 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

108 


1786] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


109 

Paris  January  3.  1786 

Dear  Sir, 

...  the  third  commission  is  more  distant,  it  is  to  procure  me  two  or 
three  hundred  Paccan  nuts  from  the  Western  country.  I expect  they 
can  always  be  got  at  Pittsburg,  and  am  in  hopes  that  by  yourself  or  your 
friends  some  attentive  person  there  may  be  engaged  to  send  them  to  you. 
they  should  come  as  fresh  as  possible,  and  come  best  I believe  in  a box  of 
sand,  of  this  Bartram  could  best  advise  you.  I imagine  vessels  are  al- 
ways coming  from  Philadelphia  to  France,  if  there  be  a choice  of  ports, 
Havre  would  be  best.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

The  following  letter,  with  a long  list  of  plants  inclosed,  was 
written  by  Jefferson  to  John  Bartram,  Jr.,  the  botanist  of 
Philadelphia : 


Paris  Jan.  17.  1786. 

By  mf  Bingham  who  left  Paris  about  a fortnight  ago  I took  the  liberty 
of  asking  your  acceptance  of  a copy  of  Linnaeus’s  Systema  vegetabilium 
translated  into  English  and  enlarged  with  many  new  plants  furnished  by 
Linnaeus,  the  son,  and  which  have  never  before  been  published. 

Inclosed  is  a list  of  plants  and  seeds  which  I should  be  very  glad  to  ob- 
tain from  America  for  a friend  here  whom  I wish  much  to  oblige.  I 
have  stated  the  Linnaean  name  to  every  one  except  those  which  are  men- 
tioned otherwise.  I will  pray  you  to  send  me  these  plants  and  seeds, 
packed  in  that  careful  manner  which  you  are  so  perfectly  acquainted, 
for  the  time  of  the  year  proper  to  send  them,  I leave  it  to  yourself,  only 
hoping  it  will  be  as  soon  as  the  proper  season  will  admit,  mf  F.  Hop- 
kinson  will  have  the  goodness  to  pay  your  demand  for  these  things,  & the 
expense  attending  them,  mf  Rob.  Morris  will  have  occasion  to  send 
many  vessels  to  France,  some  of  these  will  probably  come  to  Havre, 
this  would  be  the  best  port  to  send  them  to,  because  they  would  come 
from  thence  by  water,  but  if  no  opportunity  occurs  to  that  port,  let 
them  come  to  Nantes  or  I’Orient.  in  every  case  address  them  to  the 
care  of  the  American  Consul  at  the  port.  Your  favor  herein  will  greatly 
oblige  Sir  your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 


Plants.  Andromeda  arborea. 
Clethra. 

Geranium  maculatum. 
Geranium  gibbosum. 
Itea. 

Kalmia  latifolia. 
Kalmia  angustifolia. 
Laurus  Benzoin. 


Laurus  Sassafras. 

Lilium  Canadense. 
Magnolia  grandiflora. 

" glauca. 

“ acuminata. 

“ tripetala. 

Nyssa. 

Quercus  phellos. 
Rhododendron  maximum. 


110 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1786 


Seeds.  Annona. 

Azalea  nudifilora. 

Acer  negundo. 
rubrum. 
Fensylvanicum 
Cornus  florida. 
Chionanthus  Virginica. 
Ceanothus  Americana. 
Cupressus  disticha. 
Cupressus  thyoides. 
Crataegus  tomentosa. 
Campanula  perfoliata. 
Campanula  Americana  oi 
Millar. 

Diospyros  Virginians. 
Fraxinus  Americana. 
Guilandina  Bonduc. 
Gleditsia  triacanthos. 
Halesia  tetraptera. 
Juglans  nigra. 


Juglans  cinerea. 

Juglans  alba. 

Juglans  alba,  fructu  minori  cortice 
glabro.  not  described  by  Linneus. 
Juglans  cortice  squamosa.  Clayton. 
Juniperus  Virginica. 

Liriodendron  tulipifera.  in  quan- 

ti^. 

Liquidambar  styraciflua. 

Prunus  Virginians. 

Pinus  Balsamea. 

Ptelea  trifoliata. 

Ptelea  pinnata, 

Phytolacca  decandra. 

Populus  heterophylla. 

Quercus  Virginians,  of  Millar. 
Rhus  glabrum. 

Rhus  Coppallinum. 

Robinia  Pseudo-acacia. 

Viburnum  acerifolium. 

Viburnum  nudum. 


Padus  foliis  lanceolatis,  acute  denticulatis,  sempervirentibus,  called  in 
America  Bastard  Mahogany,  this  description  is  not  Linnaean.  per- 
haps mf  Bartram  may  know  what  plant  it  belongs  to.  (Jefferson 
Papers.  M.  H.  S.) 


Towards  the  close  of  February  Jefferson  was  urged  by  John 
Adams  to  come  to  London  to  aid  in  negotiating  a treaty  with 
Portugal  and  to  attend  to  other  important  state  affairs.  This 
official  visit  to  London  afforded  him  the  opportunity  to  see  the 
gardens  of  England  and  to  observe  the  English  methods  of 
gardening. 

Jefferson  used  for  his  guide  through  the  gardens  Thomas 
WLately’s  Observations  on  Modern  Gardening  (London, 
1770),  which  he  either  owned  before  he  came  to  France  or 
bought  soon  after  his  arrival.  His  complementary  notes  on 
the  gardens  described  by  Whately  show  that  he  had  studied 
the  book  and  was  ready  to  compare  his  own  observations  of 
them  with  Whately’ s.  This  tour  of  English  gardens  had  a 
considerable  influence  on  Jefferson  in  landscaping  his  grounds 
at  Monticello.  Although  he  admired  France  and  her  civiliza- 
tion, he  considered  England  far  superior  to  all  other  countries 
in  gardening.  Her  naturalistic  gardens  were  to  him  more  de- 
sirable for  America  than  the  formal  gardens  of  Paris.  He 


1786]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  m 

wrote  to  his  early  friend,  John  Page,  of  Virginia,  soon  after 
his  return  from  England  to  Paris:  “The  gardening  in  that 
country  is  the  article  in  which  it  surpasses  all  the  earth.  I 
mean  their  pleasure  gardening.  This,  indeed,  went  far  be- 
yond my  ideas.”  (Randall,  Jefferson  i:  447.) 

Jefferson  left  Paris  on  March  5.  He  was  in  London  on 
the  nth.  For  the  remainder  of  the  month  he  busied  himself 
with  state  duties.  The  first  of  April  he  started  on  the  tour  of 
historical  places  and  gardens  mentioned  above.  The  follow- 
ing are  his  comments  on  the  gardens  he  visited. 

A Tour  to  Some  of  the  Gardens  of  England 

(Memorandum  made  on  a tour  to  some  of  the  gardens  in  England,  de- 
scribed by  Whateley  in  his  book  on  Gardening. ) 

While  his  descriptions,  in  point  of  style,  are  models  of  perfect  elegance 
and  classical  correctness,  they  are  as  remarkable  for  their  exactness.  I 
always  walked  over  the  gardens  with  his  book  in  my  hand,  examined  with 
attention  the  particular  spots  he  described,  found  them  so  justly  charac- 
terized by  him  as  to  be  easily  recognized,  and  saw  with  wonder,  that  his 
fine  imagination  had  never  been  able  to  seduce  him  from  the  truth.  My 
inquiries  were  directed  chiefly  to  such  practical  things  as  might  enable  me 
to  estimate  the  expense  of  making  and  maintaining  a garden  in  that 
style.  My  journey  was  in  the  months  of  March  and  April,  1 786. 

Chiswick, — Belongs  to  Duke  of  Devonshire,  A garden  about  six 
acres; — the  octagonal  dome  has  an  ill  effect,  both  within  and  without: 
the  garden  shows  still  too  much  of  art.  An  obelisk  of  very  ill  effect; 
another  in  the  middle  of  a pond  useless.  [“April  2,  gave  servants  at 
Chiswick  (D.  of  Devonshire’s)  4/6”  {Account  Book  •r78i-r7P0).] 
Hampton-Court. — Old  fashioned.  Clipt  yews  grown  wild.  [“April 
2,  gave  servants  at  Hampton  Court  4/6”  {ibid,),"] 

Twickenham. — Pope’s  original  garden,  three  and  a half  acres.  Sir. 
Wm.  Stanhope  added  one  and  a half  acres.  This  is  a long  narrow  slip, 
grass  and  trees  in  the  middle,  walk  all  around.  Now  Sir  Wellbore 
Ellis’s.  Obelisk  at  bottom  of  Pope’s  garden,  as  monument  to  his  mother. 
Inscription,  “Ah ! Editha,  matrum  optima,  mulierum  amantissima.  Vale,” 
The  house  about  thirty  yards  from  the  Thames:  the  ground  shelves 
gently  to  the  water  side ; on  the  back  of  the  house  passes  the  street,  and 
beyond  that  the  garden.  The  grotto  is  under  the  street,  and  goes  out 
level  to  the  water.  In  the  centre  of  the  garden  a mound  with  a spiral 
walk  round  it.  A rookery.  [“April  2,  gave  servants  at  Twickenham, 
Pope’s  garden,  2/”  {ibid,)."] 

Esher-Place. — The  house  in  a bottom  near  the  river ; on  the  other  side 
the  ground  rises  pretty  much.  The  road  by  which  we  come  to  the  house 
forms  a dividing  line  in  the  middle  of  the  front ; on  the  right  are  heights, 
rising  one  beyond  and  above  another,  with  clumps  of  trees;  on  the 


112 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1786 


farthest  a temple.  A hollow  filled  up  with  a clump  of  trees,  the  tallest 
in  the  bottom,  so  that  the  top  is  quite  flat.  On  the  left  the  ground 
descends.  Clumps  of  trees,  the  clumps  on  each  hand  balance  finely — a 
most  lovely  mixture  of  concave  and  convex.  The  garden  is  of  about 
forty-five  acres,  besides  the  park  which  joins.  Belongs  to  Lady  Frances 
Pelham.  [“April  a,  gave  servants  at  Esherplace  6/’’  (ibid.).} 
Claremont. — ^Lord  Clive’s.  Nothing  remarkable. 

Paynshill. — Mr.  Hopkins.  Three  hundred  and  twenty-three  acres, 
garden  and  park  all  in  one.  Well  described  by  Whately.  Grotto  said 
to  have  cost  £7,000.  Whately  says  one  of  the  bridges  is  of  stone,  but 
both  now  are  of  wood,  the  lower  sixty  feet  high:  there  is  too  much  ever- 
green. The  dwelling-house  built  by  Hopkins,  ill-situated;  he  has  not, 
been  there  in  five  years.  He  lived  there  four  years  while  building  the 
present  house.  It  is  not  finished ; its  architecture  is  incorrect.  A Doric 
temple,  beautiful.  [“April  a,  gave  servants  at  Paynshill' T /''  (iiid.).] 
JVoburn. — Belongs  to  Lord  Peters.  Lord  Loughborough  is  the  pres- 
ent tenant  for  two  lives.  Four  people  to  the  farm,  four  to  the  pleasure 
garden,  four  to  the  kitchen  garden.  All  are  intermixed,  the  pleasure 
garden  being  merely  a highly-ornamented  walk  through  and  round  the 
divisions  of  the  farm  and  kitchen  garden.  [“April  3,  gave  servants  at 
Woburn’s  farm  6/6"  (iWd.).] 

Caversham. — Sold  by  Lord  Cadogan  to  Major  Marsac.  Twenty- 
five  acres  of  garden,  four  hundred  acres  of  park,  six  acres  of  kitchen 
garden.  A large  lawn,  separated  by  a sunk  fence  from  the  garden,  ap- 
pears to  be  part  of  it.  A straight,  broad  gravel  walk  passes  before  the 
front  and  parallel  to  it,  terminated  on  the  right  by  a Doric  temple,  and 
opening  at  the  other  end  on  a fine  prospect.  This  straight  walk  has  an 
ill  effect.  The  lawn  in  front,  which  is  pasture,  well  disposed  with 
clumps  of  trees.  ["April  4,  Caversham,  gave  servants  3/6"  (fiid.).] 
fPotton. — Now  belongs  to  the  Marquis  of  Buckingham,  son  of 
George  Grenville.  The  lake  covers  fifty  acres,  the  river  five  acres,  the 
basin  fifteen  acres,  the  little  rivet  two  acres — equal  to  seventy-two  acres 
of  water.  The  lake  and  great  river  are  on  a level;  they  fall  into  the 
basin  five  feet  below,  and  that  again  into  the  little  river  five  feet  lower. 
These  waters  lie  in  the  form  of  [^ : the  house  is  in  middle  of  the  open 
side,  fronting  the  angle.  A walk  goes  round  the  whole,  three  miles 
in  circumference,  and  containing  within  it  about  three  hundred  acres: 
sometimes  it  passes  close  to  the  water,  sometimes  so  far  off  as  to  leave 
large  pasture  grounds  between  it  and  the  water.  But  two  hands  to 
keep  the  pleasure  grounds  in  order ; much  neglected.  The  water  affords 
two  thousand  brace  of  carp  a year.  There  is  a Palladian  bridge,  of 
which,  I think,  Whatley  does  not  speak.  [“April  5,  Wotton  (Marquis 
of  Buckingham's)  servants  3/’’  (ibid.),] 

Stowe. — Belongs  to  the  Marquis  of  Buckingham,  son  of  George  Gren- 
ville, and  who  takes  it  from  Lord  Temple.  Fifteen  men  and  eighteen 
boys  employed  in  keeping  pleasure  grounds.  Within  the  walk  are  con- 
siderable portions  separated  by  enclosures  and  used  for  pasture.  The 
Egyptian  pyramid  is  almost  entirely  taken  down  by  the  -late  Lord 


1786]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  1 13 

Temple,  to  erect  a building  there,  in  commemoration  of  Mr.  Pitt,  but 
he  died  before  beginning  it,  and  nothing  is  done  to  it  yet.  The  grotto 
and  two  rotundas  are  taken  away.  There  are  four  levels  of  water,  re- 
ceiving it  one  from  the  other.  The  basin  contains  seven  acres,  the  lake 
below  that  ten  acres.  Kent’s  building  is  called  the  temple  of  Venus. 
The  enclosure  is  entirely  by  ha-ha.  At  each  end  of  the  front  line  there 
is  a recess  like  the  bastion  of  a fort.  In  one  of  these  is  the  temple  of 
Friendship,  in  the  other  the  temple  of  Venus.  They  are  seen  the  one 
from  the  other,  the  line  of  sight  passing,  not  through  the  garden,  but 
through  the  country  parallel  to  rhe  line  of  the  garden.  This  has  a good 
effect.  In  the  approach  to  Stowe,  you  are  brought  a mile  through  a 
straight  avenue,  pointing  to  the  Corinthian  arch  and  to  the  house,  till 
you  get  to  the  arch,  then  you  turn  short  to  the  right.  The  straight  ap- 
proach is  very  ill.  The  Corinthian  arch  has  a very  useless  appearance, 
inasmuch  as  it  has  no  pretension  to  any  destination.  Instead  of  being  an 
object  from  the  house,  it  is  an  obstacle  to  a very  pleasing  distant  prospect. 
The  Grecian  valley  being  clear  of  trees,  while  the  hill  on  each  side  is 
covered  with  them,  is  much  deepened  to  appearance.  ["April  6,  Stowe 
(Marquis  of  Buckingham’s)  servants  8/’’  (ibid.),] 

Leasowesj  in  Shropshire. — Now  the  property  of  Mr.  Horne  by  pur- 
chase. One  hundred  and  fifty  acres  within  the  walk.  The  waters 
small.  This  is  not  even  an  ornamented  farm — it  is  only  a grazing  farm 
with  a path  round  it,  here  and  there  a seat  of  board,  rarely  anything 
better.  Architecture  has  contributed  nothing.  The  obelisk  is  of  brick. 
Shenstone  had  but  three  hundred  pounds  a year,  and  ruined  himself  by 
what  he  did  to  this  farm.  It  is  said  that  he  died  of  the  heart-aches  which 
his  debts  occasioned  him.  The  part  next  to  the  road  is  of  red  earth,  that 
on  the  further  part  grey.  The  first  and  second  cascades  are  beautiful. 
The  landscape  at  number  eighteen,  and  prospect  at  thirty-two,  are  fine. 
The  walk  through  the  wood  is  umbrageous  and  pleasing.  The  whole 
arch  of  prospect  may  be  of  ninety  degrees.  Many  of  the  inscriptions 
are  lost.  [“Apr.  7,  Leasowes  (Shenstone’s.  now  Horne’s)  serv**  5/’’ 
(ibid.).] 

Hagley,  now  Lord  Wescot's. — One  thousand  acres:  no  distinction  be- 
tween park  and  garden — both  blended,  but  more  of  the  character  of 
garden.  Eight  or  nine  laborers  keep  it  in  order.  Between  two  and 
three  hundred  deer  in  it,  some  of  them  red  deer.  They  breed  sometimes 
with  the  fallow.  This  garden  occupying  a descending  hollow  between 
the  Clent  and  Witchbury  hills,  with  the  spurs  from  those  hills,  there  is 
no  level  in  it  for  a spacious  water.  There  are,  therefore,  only  some 
small  ponds.  From  one  of  these  there  is  a fine  cascade;  but  it  can  only 
be  occasionally,  by  opening  the  sluice.  This  is  in  a small,  dark,  deep 
hollow,  with  recesses  of  stone  in  the  banks  on  every  side.  In  one  of 
these  is  a Venus  predique,  turned  half  round  as  if  inviting  you  with  her 
into  the  recess.  There  is  another  cascade  seen  from  the  portico  on  the 
bridge.  The  castle  is  triangular,  with  a round  tower  at  each  angle,  one 
only  entire;  it  seems  to  be  between  forty  and  fifty  feet  high.  The  ponds 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1786 


II4 


yield  a great  deal  of  trout.  The  walb  are  scarcely  gravelled.  [“April 
8,  Hagley  (L«  Wescott’s)  serv^"  5/.— ent‘.  in  the  village  a/6’’  {ibid.).'\ 

Blenkeim. — ^Twenty-five  hundred  acres,  of  which  two  hundred  is  gar- 
den, one  hundred  and  fifty  water,  twelve  kitchen  garden,  and  the  rest 
park.  Two  hundred  people  employed  to  keep  it  in  order,  and  to  make 
alterations  and  additions.  About  fifty  of  these  employed  in  pleasure 
grounds.  The  turf  is  mowed  once  in  ten  days.  In  summer,  about  two 
thousand  fallow  deer  in  the  park,  and  two  or  three  thousand  sheep. 
The  palace  of  Henry  II.  was  remaining  till  taken  down  by  Sarah,  widow 
of  the  first  Duke  of  Marlborough.  It  was  on  a round  spot  levelled  by 
art,  near  what  is  now  water,  and  but  a little  above  it.  The  island  was 
a part  of  the  high  road  leading  to  the  palace.  Rosamond’s  bower  was 
near  where  is  now  a little  grove,  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the 
palace.  The  well  is  near  where  the  bower  was.  The  water  here  is 
very  beautiful,  and  very  grand.  The  cascade  from  the  lake,  a fine  one ; 
except  this  the  garden  has  no  great  beauties.  It  is  not  laid  out  in  fine 
lawns  and  woods,  but  the  trees  are  scattered  thinly  over  the  ground,  and 
every  here  and  there  small  thickets  of  shrubs,  in  oval  raised  beds,  culti- 
vated, and  flowers  among  the  shrubs.  The  gravelled  walks  are  broad — 
art  appears  too  much.  There  are  but  a few  seats  in  it,  and  nothing  of 
architecture  more  dignified.  There  is  no  one  striking  position  in  it. 
There  has  been  a great  addition  to  the  length  of  the  river  since 
Whatcley  wrote.  [“April  9,  Blenheim  (D.  of  Marlborough’s)  serv“ 

ir  i-ibid,).] 

Enfield  Chase. — One  of  the  four  lodges.  Garden  about  sixty  acres. 
Originally  by  Lord  Chatham,  now  in  the  tenure  of  Dr.  Beaver,  who 
married  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Sharpe.  The  lease  lately  renewed — not  in 
good  repair.  The  water  very  fine;  would  admit  of  great  improvement 
by  extending  walks,  etc.,  to  the  principal  water  at  the  bottom  of  the 
lawn. 

Moor  Park. — ^The  lawn  about  thirty  acres.  A piece  of  ground  up 
the  hill  of  six  acres.  A small  lake.  Clumps  of  spruce  firs.  Surrounded 
by  walk — separately  inclosed — destroys  unity.  The  property  of  Mr. 
Rous,  who  bought  of  Sir  Thomas  Dundas.  The  building  superb ; the 
principal  front  a Corinthian  portico  of  four  columns;  in  front  of  the 
vrings  a colonnade,  Ionic,  subordinate.  Back  front  a terrace,  four  Co- 
rinthian pilasters.  Pulling  down  wings  of  building;  removing  deer; 
wants  water, 

Kew. — Archimedes'  scr^w  for  raising  water.  [He  draws  a diagram 
of  this  screw  and  describes  it.]  ["Apr.  14,  gave  serv*®  at  Kew  5/. — 
lemonade  6 V (iiW,),]  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  17;  236- 
244.) 

Before  leaving  London  for  Paris  on  April  26,  Jefferson 
“left  with  Col®.  Smith  for  James  Lee.  Hammersmith  for  plants 
4^-1 5.”  These  plants,  of  which  a list  follows,  were  to  be 
sent  to  Tours,  probably  for  a friend. 


1786] 


jEFFERsotr’s  Garden  Book 


I15 


M'.  Jefferson  Bought  of  James  Lee  & Co. 
1786  24  April 


number  tied 

Quantity  of 

on  each  sort 

each  sort 

& s C 

No  I 

3 

Cornus  florida 

.4.  6 

2 

3 

Cupressus  thyoides 

.4.  6 

3 

6 

Gleditsia  triacanthus  .... 

.3  . . . 

4 

Itea  Vir^inica 

.4.  6 

5 

Juglans  alba 

.3  . . . 

6 

2 

rinfffa  

. .4..  6 

*7 

8 

Laurus  benzoin 

. . 

.4.  6 

9 

Liquidambar  Styraciflua  . 

.4.  6 

10 

3 

Magnolia  grandiflora  .... 

. .15  ... 

11 

6 

Pinus  Balsamea  

. I.  6 

12 

. . « .1.  . ^ 

Populus  heterophylla  .... 

. 4.  6 

13 

Ptelea  trifoliata 

.3 . . . 

14 

6 

Robinia  pseudo  Acacia  . . . 

.3 . . . 

IS 

Viburnum  nudum  

.3 . . . 

16 

Vaccinium  Occycoccos  . . . 

. .18 . . . 

17 

Lilium  Canadense 

.6  . . . 

Box  package  etc.  

.4 

Carriage  to  Tours 

. .1 

£4-15.... 

{Jefferson  Papers,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.) 


Jefferson  arrived  in  Paris  on  May  i,  beginning  soon  after 
correspondence  with  friends  in  America  about  the  exchange  of 
plants  between  the  two  countries.  The  first  of  these  letters 
was  to  Richard  Cary,  his  kinsman  and  friend  in  Virginia. 

Paris  May  4.  1786. 

Dear  Sir, 

Knowing  your  fondness  for  Botany,  and  meeting  with  a new  edition 
of  Linnaeus’s  systema  vegetabilium  in  English,  with  many  additions  fur- 
nished the  editors  by  young  Linneaus  whidi  have  never  yet  been  in  print, 
I procurred  one  for  you,  and  now  avail  myself  of  the  return  of  Mon  de 
la  Croix  to  Williamsburg  to  convey  it  to  you  and  ask  your  acceptance  of 
it.  I saw  in  the  hands  of  mr  Mazzei  a list  of  flower  roots  & seeds 
which  you  had  desired  him  to  send  you.  1 have  taken  a copy  of  it,  and 
will  endeavor  to  find  an  opportunity  of  sending  them  when  the  season 
shall  be  proper,  which  you  Imow  will  not  be  till  fall,  should  you  here- 
after have  any  other  wishes  in  this  line  you  cannot  oblige  me  more  than 
by  communicating  them  to  me,  and  I will  do  my  best  to  execute  them, 
the  only  difficulty  will  be  an  opportimity  by  a careful  hand  in  the  proper 
season,  but  this  chance  may  be  in  our  favor  as  well  as  it  may  be  against 
us.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1786 


I16 


On  May  6 he  wrote  to  William  Drayton,  chairman  of  the 
South  Carolina  Society  for  Promoting  Agriculture,  accepting 
membership  in  that  society,  to  which  he  had  been  elected  the 
preceding  year.  In  his  letter  of  acceptance  he  wrote: 

I send  at  present  by  mf  M“Queen  some  seeds  of  a grass  found  very 
useful  in  the  Southern  parts  of  Europe,  & particularly  & almost  solely 
cultivated  in  Malta,  it  is  called  by  the  names  of  Sulla,  and  Spanish  S‘. 
foin,  and  is  the  Hedysarum  coronarinm  of  Linnaeus,  it  is  usually  sown 
early  in  autumn.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

He  also  sent  Drayton  acorns  of  the  cork  oak,  a species  he 
thought  should  be  experimented  with  in  order  to  find  out  if  it 
could  be  grown  profitably  in  the  South.  Jefferson  attempted 
to  grow  it  at  Monticello  but  without  success. 

In  August  Jefferson  again  wrote  Richard  Cary,  sending  him 
a long  list  of  native  plants  which  he  asked  to  be  sent  to  him. 
He  wrote  detailed  instructions  about  packing  them.  At  the 
same  time  Jefferson  reciprocated  with  some  choice  plants  from 
the  Continent.  This  list  of  plants  and  the  list  sent  to  Bartram 
are  especially  interesting  because  they  reveal  Jefferson’s  wide 
knowledge  of  native  plants. 

Pans,  Aug.  12.  1786 

To  R,  Cary 


^Andromeda  arborea 
*Azalea  nudiflora 
Azalea  viscosa 
*Acer  Pensylvanicura 
Cornus  florida 
Ceanothus  americana 
Cupressus  disticha 
Cupressus  thyoides 
Juglans  cinerea 
the  Gloster  hiccory 
Laurus  Benzoin 
^Magnolia  glauca 
*KaImia  latifolia 
Nyssa 

Ftelea  trifoliata 
Kalmia  angustifolia 
Ftelea  pinnata 


Clethra 

Campanula  perfoUata 
Campanula  americana 
Geranium  maculatum 
Geranium  gibbosum 
Guilandina  Bonduc 
Halesia  tetraptera 
Itea 

Populus  hetcrophylla 
•Quercus  phellos 
Qucrcus  virginiana  of  Millar 
^Rhododendron  maximum 
Rhus  copallinum 
Viburnum  acerifolium 
Viburnum  nudum 
*Bignonia  sempervirens  (yellow 
jasmine) 


Those  marked  * are  desired  in  greater  quantities  <Se  particularly  in 
plants.  The  others  to  be  in  plants  where  the  plant  succeeds  tolerably, 
and  seeds  of  the  whole  or  as  many  as  can  be  got  will  be  desirable.  The 
reason  of  desiring  plants  is  that  they  may  be  the  sooner  enjoyed. 


1786] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


I17 

...  I send  you  seeds  of  Ranunculus,  Broccoli  & Cauliflower,  bulbs 
of  the  tulip,  having  thought  it  best  to  put  off  getting  the  articles  till 
the  bearer  of  this  was  near  setting  out,  they  have  disappointed  me 
of  Carnations,  Auriculas,  Tuberoses,  Hyacinths,  & Belladonna  lillies 
which  I had  ordered,  the  Arno  pink  seed  can  of  course  only  be  sent 
you  by  Mazzei  from  Florence  if  he  should  ever  go  there,  the  Alpine 
strawberry  I expect  you  have  got  from  mf  Eppes.  Mushmelons,  such 
as  are  here,  are  worse  than  the  worst  in  Virginia,  there  is  not  sun 
enough  to  ripen  them,  & give  them  flavor,  the  caper  bush  would  re- 
quire a better  opportunity  than  the  present,  therefore  I have  not  en- 
quired whether  it  can  be  got  here.  I do  not  know  what  the  Nutberry 
pine  is.  I have  no  Miller’s  Dictionary  here.  You  must  therefore  al- 
ways give  the  Linnaean  names. 

Method  of  packing  the  Plants 

Take  the  plants  up  by  the  roots,  leaving  good  roots.  Trim  off  all  the 
boughs  & cut  the  stems  to  the  length  of  your  box.  Near  the  tip  end  of 
every  plant  cut  a number  of  notches  which  will  serve  as  labels,  giving  the 
same  number  to  all  plants  of  the  same  species.  Where  the  plant  is  too 
small  to  be  notched,  notch  a separate  stick  & tye  it  to  the  plant.  Make 
a list  on  paper  of  the  plants  by  their  names  & number  of  notches. 

Take  fresh  moss  just  gathered,  lay  a layer  of  it  at  the  bottom  of  the 
box  a inches  thick,  then  a layer  of  plants  & again  moss  alternately,  finish- 
ing with  a layer  of  moss  2 inches  thick,  or  more  if  more  be  necessary  to 
fill  the  box.  large  roots  must  be  separately  wrapped  in  moss.  (.Jeffer- 
son PapeiSj  L.  C.) 

On  August  13  a letter  went  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Hawkins,  of 
North  Carolina,  requesting  him  to  send  seeds  of  Dionaea,  a 
plant  Jefferson  would  have  delighted  in  showing  his  Paris 
friends. 

Paris  August  13,  1786. 

To  Mr,  Hawkins, 

. . . Your  attention  to  one  burthen  1 laid  on  you,  encourages  me  to 
remind  you  of  another,  which  is  the  sending  me  some  of  the  seeds  of  the 
Dionaea  Muscipula,  or  Venus  fly-trap,  called  also  with  you,  I believe, 
the  Sensitive  Plant.  This  can  come  folded  in  a letter.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  S?  390.) 

Jefferson,  always  interested  in  encouraging  trade  between 
America  and  Europe,  wrote  to  Dr.  Ramsay  in  October,  seek- 
ing the  reason  why  so  little  rice  came  to  France  from  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  despite  the  fact  that  the  people  in 
France  consumed  large  quantities  of  it  and  that  the  rice  from 
the  South  was  superior  to  that  they  imported  from  other 
countries. 


Il8  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1786 

Paris  Oct.  27.  1786. 

To  Dr.  Ramsey, 

. . . Having  observed  the  immence  consumption  of  rice  in  this  coun- 
try, it  became  matter  of  wonder  to  me  why  so  few  ships  come  here  with 
that  article  from  S.  Carolina  & Georgia,  the  information  I received 
on  my  first  inquiry  was  that  little  Carolina  rice  came  here,  because  it  was 
less  dean  & less  good  than  what  is  brought  them  from  the  Levant,  fur- 
ther enquiry  however  has  satisfied  me  of  the  inexactitude  of  this  informa- 
tion. the  case  is  as  follows,  about  one  half  the  rice  consumed  in  France 
is  from  Carolina,  the  other  half  is  chiefly  from  Piedmont,  the  Piedmont 
rice  is  thought  by  connoisseurs  to  be  best  au  gras,  the  Carolina  rice  best 
au  lait.  yet  the  superior  whiteness  of  the  latter  is  so  much  more  pleas- 
ing to  the  eye  as  to  compensate  with  every  purchase  it’s  deficiency  in 
quality.  Carolina  rice  sells  at  Havre  by  wholesale  at  22,  23,  24,  livres 
Ac  French  quintal,  the  livre  being  10*  sterling  & the  French  quintal 
10  g the  English,  at  the  approach  of  lent  it  rises  to  27  livres.  it  is  re- 
tailed in  Paris  6 to  10  sous  the  French  pound  according  to  it's  quality 
being  sorted.  Piedmont  rice  sells  always  at  10  sous  (5'‘  sterling  the 
pound,  in  the  wholesale  it  is  3 or  4 times  the  quintal  dearer  than  Caro- 
lina rice,  it  would  supplant  that  of  Piedmont  rice  if  brought  in  suffi- 
cient quantity,  & to  France  directly,  but  it  is  first  carried  Sc  deposited 
in  England,  & it  is  the  merchant  of  that  country  who  sends  it  here 
[making]  a great  profit  himself,  while  the  commodity  is  moreover  [also] 
subjected  of  double  voiage.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

Although  letters  passed  frequently  between  Jefferson  and 
Mr.  Nicholas  Lewis,  his  manager  in  Albemarle,  little  was 
written  about  gardening  and  plants.  When  farm  affairs  were 
mentioned,  the  discussion  dealt  mainly  with  the  financial  out- 
look. Jefferson  did,  however,  write  to  Mr.  Lewis  about  plants 
in  a letter  dated  December  19,  in  which  he  said; 

I am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  attention  to  my  trees  & grass  the 
latter  is  one  of  Ae  principal  pillows  on  which  I shall  rely  for  subsistence 
when  I shall  be  at  liberty  to  try  projects  without  injury  to  any  body. 
...  I shall  endeavor  to  send  with  Ab  a packet  of  the  seeds  of  trees 
whiA  I wish  Anthony  to  sow  in  a large  nursery  noting  well  their  names. 
There  will  be  a little  Spanish  S‘.  foin,  represented  to  me  as  a very 
precious  grass  in  a hot  country.  I would  have  it  sowed  in  one  of  the 
vacant  lots  of  my  grass  ground. 

He  also  sent  Spanish  broom,  yellow-flowered  locust,  bladder 
senna,  and  Thuja.  (I ef  arson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

Earlier  in  the  year  Jefferson  had  requested  Francis  Hopkin- 
son  to  send  him  some  paccan  nuts.  Hopkinson,  not  knowing 
which  species  Jefferson  desired,  wrote  him  concerning  them. 
Jefferson  in  his  reply  wrote : “The  Paccan  nut  is,  as  you  con- 


1786]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  1 19 

jecture  the  Illinois  nut,  the  former  is  the  vulgar  name  South 
of  the  Potomac  as  also  with  the  Indians  & Spaniards,  and  en- 
ters also  into  the  Botanical  name  which  is  Juglans  Paccan” 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

In  a reply  to  Ferdinand  Grand  about  plants  to  send  Ben- 
jamin Franklin,  written  late  in  December,  Jefferson  gave  him 
a valuable  comparison  between  the  plants  grown  in  Europe 
and  America. 

Paris  Dec.  28.  1786. 

(Jefferson  to  Ferdinand  Grand.) 

...  I did  not  answer  in  the  instant  the  letter  you  favored  me  with 
yesterday,  because  I wished  to  reflect  on  the  article  of  seeds  for  Dr. 
Franklin,  on  which  you  were  pleased  to  ask  my  opinion,  we  import 
annually  from  England  to  every  part  of  America  garden  seeds  of  all 
sorts,  you  may  judge  therefore  that  these  & what  we  raise  from  them 
furnish  garden  vegetables  in  good  perfection,  the  only  garden  vegetable 
I find  here  better  than  ours,  is  the  turnep. 

Of  fruits,  the  pears,  & apricots  alone  are  better  than  ours,  and  we 
have  not  the  Apricot-peche  at  all.  but  the  stones  of  good  apricots  & of 
the  peach-apricot  would  answer  well,  the  fruits  of  the  peach-class  do 
not  degenerate  from  the  stone  so  much  as  is  imagined  here,  we  have  so 
much  experience  of  this  in  America  that  tho*  we  graft  all  other  kinds  of 
fruits,  we  rarely  graft  the  peach,  the  nectarine,  the  apricot  or  the  almond, 
the  tree  proceeding  from  the  stone  yields  a faithful  copy  of  its  fruit,  & 
the  tree  is  always  healthier.  . . . 

P.  S.  I must  add  that  tho’  we  have  some  grapes  as  good  as  in  France, 
yet  we  have  by  no  means  such  a variety,  nor  so  perfect  a succession  of 
them.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

The  Account  Book  I'jSs-iygi  gives  a few  entries  concern- 
ing Jefferson’s  interest  in  gardens  and  gardening  in  France. 

June  7.  p*  Marc,  garden  utensils  64-3. 

Jfune  a8.  p*  seeing  Hermitage.  4 f 4.  d®.  Audinot’s  garden  2 f 8. 

July  10.  p®  Petit — garden — 1-4. 


1787 

1787.*  Two  events  occurred  this  year  which  gave  Jeffer- 
son unlimited  pleasure.  One  was  the  arrival  of  Maria,  his 
younger  daughter,  come  from  Virginia  to  join  Martha  and 
him  in  France;  the  other  was  a tour  through  southern  France 
and  northern  Italy. 

During  the  journey,  which  incidentally  Jefferson  took  alone 
in  his  carriage  and  post  horses,  he  kept  a journal  of  what  he 
saw  and  did.  This  record,  supplemented  by  pertinent  details 
from  the  ever  faithfully  kept  account  books,  presents  a full  de- 
scription of  his  movements  and  interests.  Concerning  the 
journal  Randall  remarks: 

Like  his  journal  in  England,  it  is  chiefly  occupied  with  practical  de- 
scriptions; but  in  this  case  agriculture  and  wine-making,  instead  of  gar- 
dening, receive  the  principal  share  of  his  attention.  In  regard  to  these, 
his  information  is  extensive,  and  oftentimes  almost  exact  enough  for  the 
directions  of  those  about  to  engage,  without  previous  practice,  in  the  cul- 
ture of  vineyards  and  the  production  of  the  different  varieties  of  wine. 
Spirited  sketches  of  scenery  occur  in  the  journal,  but  they  are  brief,  and 
are  only  intended  to  show  what  kind  of  a country,  topographically  speak- 
ing, is  adapted  to  this  or  that  kind  of  culture.  (Randall,  Jefferson  i: 

467.) 

Jefferson  took  notes  on  almost  every  phase  of  agriculture  as 
he  passed  through  the  rural  sections  of  France  and  Italy — 
soils,  fruits,  vegetables,  flowers,  and  even  the  living  conditions 
of  the  farmers.  Rice  and  olives  received  his  closest  attention. 
He  was  interested  first  of  all  in  finding  a dry  rice  to  supple- 
ment or  supplant  the  wet  rice  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia, 
because  he  thought  wet  rice  “a  plant  which  sows  life  and  death 
with  almost  equal  hand.”  Secondly,  he  considered  the  olive 
_ the  worthiest  plant  to  be  introduced  into  America.  He  re- 
marks of  the  olive; 

Of  all  the  gifts  of  heaven  to  man,,  it  is  next  to  the  most  precious,  if  it 
be  not  the  most  precious.  Perhaps  it  may  claim  a preference  even  to 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 


lao 


1787] 


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121 


bread,  because  there  is  such  an  infinitude  of  vegetables,  which  it  renders 
a proper  and  comfortable  nourishment. 

Jefferson  sent  rice,  olive  trees,  and  seeds  to  South  Carolina 
and  Georgia  for  experimental  culture.  The  rice  flourished, 
but  the  olive-growing  experiments  were  failures.  In  1813 
Jefferson  wrote  from  Monticello  to  his  friend,  Mr.  James 
Ronaldson : 

It  is  now  twenty-five  years  since  I sent  them  [his  southern  fellow 
citizens]  two  shipments  (about  500  plants)  of  the  Olive  tree  of  Aix,  the 
finest  Olives  in  the  world.  If  any  of  them  still  exist,  it  is  merely  as  a 
curiosity  in  their  gardens,  not  a single  orchard  of  them  has  been  planted. 
(Ford,  Jefferson  11:  272,) 

On  February  7 Jefferson  sent  a list  of  plants,  similar  to  the 
ones  he  had  sent  the  previous  year  to  Mr.  Bartram  and  to  Mr. 
Cary,  to  Mr.  John  Banister,  Jr.  The  list  of  plants  was  ac- 
companied by  detailed  instructions  on  packing  and  sending 
them.  (Letter  and  list  of  plants,  Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

Shipping  plants  from  America  to  Europe  in  Jefferson’s  day 
involved  great  difficulties.  Usually  more  plants  died  in  trans- 
port than  survived,  either  because  the  shipments  were  allowed 
to  stand  for  months  on  the  wharves  awaiting  adequate  shipping 
space,  or  because  they  were  unable  to  weather  the  lengthy  sea 
voyage,  often  of  several  weeks  or  months.  On  account  of  this 
uncertainty  Jefferson  usually  preferred  his  friends  sending  him 
seeds  rather  than  plants.  A letter  from  Jefferson  to  Andrew 
Limozin,  his  agent  in  Havre,  France,  shows  the  difficulties  in- 
volved in  sending  plants. 

Paris  Feb.  ii,  1787. 
Sir, 

A friend  in  S.  Carolina  sent  a letter  & a box  of  plants  for  me  to  mf. 
Otto,  charge  des  affaires  of  France  at  New  York,  the  letter  came  by 
the  packet  the  Courier  de  I’Europe,  and  was  sent  to  me  from  I’Orient. 
I presume  Mr.  Otto  sent  the  box  of  plants  by  the  same  conveiance,  but 
as  the  packet  received  orders  on  her  arrival  at  I’Orient  to  repair  immedi- 
ately to  Havre,  she  landed  only  her  passengers  and  letters,  and  proceeded 
to  Havre,  where  I suppose  she  is  now  and  that  she  has  there  the  box  of 
plants  for  me.  I leave  Paris  the  16*“.  instant,  and  it  is  very  interesting 
for  me  to  receive  that  box  before  I go.  you  will  oblige  me  extremely  if 
you  can  have  it  sought  out  in  the  instant  of  receiving  this,  & forwarded 
by  the  first  Diligence  to  me  here,  I beg  your  pardon  for  troubling  you 
so  much:  but  these  plants  are  precious,  & have  already  come  from  S. 
Carolina  -to  N.  York,  from  N.  York  to  Lorient,  & from  Lorient  to 


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[1787 


Havre.  There  is  danger  therefore  of  their  losing  their  vegetative  power 
by  delayi  and  my  departure  renders  that  delay  still  more  interesting. 
I am  with  very  much  esteem  & respect  Sir  your  most  obedient  & most 
humble  serv‘.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

For  biographical  information  on  Madame  de  Tesse,  whose 
name  appears  frequently  in  the  correspondence  from  this  point 
on,  see  page  398,  note  26. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1787 

(Jefferson  to  William  Drayton.) 

Paris  Feb.  6.  1787 

Sir — 

I had  the  honour  of  addressing  you  on  the  of  May  last  by  mf 
Me  Quin,  and  of  sending  you  by  the  same  gentleman  some  seed  of  the 
Sulla,  or  Spanish  foin.  I hope  it  has  succeeded,  as  some  seeds  of  the 
same  parcel  which  I sowed  in  my  garden  here  vegetated  well  and  gave 
me  an  opportunity  of  seeing  that  it  is  a most  luxuriant  grass,  it’s  suc- 
cess in  the  climate  of  Malta  seems  to  ensure  it  with  you.  the  present 
serves  to  inform  you  that  I send  with  it,  to  the  care  of  your  delegates  in 
Congress,  some  acorns  of  the  Cork  oak.  I am  told  that  they  must  not 
be  covered  above  two  inches  deep,  their  being  pierced  by  the  worm  will 
not  affect  their  power  of  vegetating.  I am  just  setting  out  on  a journey 
to  the  South  of  France,  should  any  objects  present  themselves  in  the 
course  of  my  journey  which  may  promise  to  forward  the  views  of  the 
society,  I shall  with  great  pleasure  avail  you  of  them.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  de  Tesse.) 

Paris  Feb.  2a.  1787 

...  1 have  had  the  pleasure  to  learn  from  Mr.  Berard  of  Lorient 
that  he  has  our  box  of  Magnolia  & Dionaea  safe ; that  he  will  send  it  by 
the  first  Diligence.  . . . My  servant  will  carry  them  to  you  the  moment 
they  arrive,  as  well  as  any  other  parcels  of  seeds  or  plants,  should  any 
other  escape  thru  all  the  dangers  & difficulties  which  beset  them.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  Missouri  Historical  Society.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Short.) 

Nice,  April  I2,  1787. 

...  At  Marseilles,  they  told  me  I should  encounter  the  rice  fields  of 
Piedmont  soon  after  cr<»sing  the  Alps.  Here  they  tell  me  there  are 
none  nearer  than  Vcrcelli  and  Novarra,  which  is  carrying  me  almost  to 
Milan.  I fear  that  this  circumstance  will  occasion  me  a greater  delay 
than  I had  calculated  on.  However  I am  embarked  in  the  project,  and 
shall  go  through  with  it.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  6:  no.) 


1787] 


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123 


(Jefferson  to  John  Jay.) 

Marseilles,  May  4,  1787. 

. . . Among  other  objects  of  inquiry,  this  was  the  place  to  learn  some- 
thing more  certain  on  the  subject  of  rice,  as  it  is  a great  emporium  for 
that  of  the  Levant  and  of  Italy.  I wished  particularly  to  know  whether' 
it  was  the  use  of  a different  machine  for  cleaning,  which  brought 
European  rice  to  market  less  broken  than  ours,  as  has  been  represented 
to  me  by  those  who  deal  in  that  article  in  Paris.  I found  several  per- 
sons who  had  passed  through  the  rice  country  of  Italy,  but  not  one  who 
could  explain  to  me  the  nature  of  the  machine.  But  I was  given  to  be- 
lieve that  I might  see  it  myself  immediately  on  entering  Piedmont.  As 
this  would  require  but  about  three  weeks,  I determined  to  go  and  ascer- 
tain this  point,  as  the  chance  only  of  placing  our  rice  above  all  rivalship 
in  quality,  as  it  is  in  color,  by  the  introduction  of  a better  machine,  if  a 
better  existed,  seemed  to  justify  the  application  of  that  much  time  to  it. 
I found  the  rice  country  to  be  in  truth  Lombardy,  one  hundred  miles 
further  than  had  been  represented,  and  that  though  called  Piedmont  rice, 
not  a grain  is  made  in  die  country  of  Piedmont.  I passed  through  the 
rice  fields  of  the  Venellese  [=  Vercellese?]  and  Milanese,  about  sixty 
miles,  and  returned  from  thence  last  night,  having  found  that  the  machine 
is  absolutely  the  same  as  ours,  and  of  course,  that  we  need  not  listen  more 
to  that  suggestion.  It  is  a difference  in  the  species  of  grain,  of  which 
the  government  of  Turin  is  so  sensible,  that,  as  I was  informed,  they  pro- 
hibit the  exportation  of  rough  rice  on  pain  of  death.  I have  taken  meas- 
ures, however,  which  I think  will  not  fail  for  obtaining  a quantity  of  it, 
and  I bought  on  the  spot  a small  parcel,  which  I have  with  me.  As 
further  details  on  this  subject  to  Congress  would  be  misplaced,  I pro- 
pose, on  my  return  to  Paris,  to  communicate  them,  and  send  the  rice  to 
the  society  at  Charleston  for  promoting  agriculture,  supposing  that  they 
will  be  best  able  to  try  the  experiment  of  cultivating  the  rice  of  this 
quality,  and  to  communicate  the  species  to  the  two  States  of  South  Caro- 
lina and  Georgia,  if  they  find  it  answer.  I thought  the  staple  of  these 
two  States  was  entitled  to  this  attendon,  and  that  it  must  be  desirable  to 
them  to  be  able  to  furnish  rice  of  the  two  qualifies  demanded  in  Europe, 
especially,  as  the  greater  consumption  is  in  the  forms  for  which  the 
Lombardy  quality  is  preferred.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  6: 
lia-113.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Adams.) 

Paris  July  i.  1787. 

...  I had  expected  to  satisfy  myself,  at  Marseilles,  of  the  causes  of 
the  difference  of  quality  between  the  rice  of  Carolina,  and  that  of  Pied- 
mont, which  is  brought  in  quantities  to  Marseilles,  not  being  able  to  do 
it,  I made  an  excursion  of  three  weeks  into  the  rice  country  beyond  the 
Alps,  going  through  it  from  Vercelli  to  Pavia,  about  sixty  miles.  I 
found  the  difference  to  be,  not  in  the  management,  as  had  been  supposed 
both  here  and  in  Carolina,  but  in  the  species  of  rice;  and  I hope  to  enable 


124 


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[1787 


them  in  Carolina,  to  begin  the  cultivation  of  the  Piedmont  Rice,  and 
carry  it  on,  hand  in  hand,  with  their  own,  that  they  may  supply  both 
qualities;  which  is  absolutely  necessary  at  this  market.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers  1 L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  E.  Rutledge.) 

Paris.  July  14.  1787. 

...  I found  their  machine  exactly  such  a one  as  you  had  described  to 
me  in  Congress  in  the  year  1783-  there  was  but  one  conclusion  then  to 
draw,  to  wit,  that  the  rice  was  of  a different  species,  and  I determined  to 
take  enough  to  put  you  in  seed  j they  informed  me,  however,  that  its  ex- 
portation in  the  husk  was  prohibited,  so  I could  only  bring  off  as  much 
as  my  coat  and  surtout  pockets  would  hold.  I took  measures  with  a 
muleteer  to  run  a couple  of  sacks  across  the  Apennines  to  Genoa,  but 
have  not  great  dependence  on  its  success,  the  little,  therefore,  which  I 
brought  myself,  must  be  relied  on  for  fear  we  should  get  no  more;  and 
because,  also,  it  is  genuine  from  Vercelli,  where  the  best  is  made  of  all 
the  Sardinian  Lombardy,  the  whole  of  which  is  considered  as  producing 
a better  rice  than  the  Milanese.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Nicholas  Lewis.) 

Paris  July  29.  1787. 

...  I will  put  into  this  letter  some  more  seeds  of  the  Spanish  Sainfoin 
lest  those  formerly  sent  should  have  miscarried.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Drayton.) 

Paris,  July  30,  1787. 

Sir, — Having  observed  that  the  consumption  of  rice  in  this  country, 
and  particularly  in  this  capital,  was  very  great,  I thought  it  my  duty  to 
inform  myself  from  what  markets  they  draw  their  supplies,  in  what 
proportion  from  ours,  and  whether  it  might  not  be  practicable  to  in- 
crease that  proportion.  This  city  being  little  concerned  in  foreign  com- 
merce, it  is  difficult  to  obtain  information  on  particular  branches  of  it  in 
the  detail.  I addressed  myself  to  the  retailers  of  rice,  and  from  them  re- 
ceived a mixture  of  truth  and  error,  which  I was  unable  to  sift  apart  in 
the  first  moment.  Continuing,  however,  my  inquiries,  they  produced  at 
length  this  result : that  the  dealers  here  were  in  the  habit  of  selling  two 
qualities  of  rice,  that  of  Carolina,  with  which  they  were  supplied  chiefly 
from  England,  and  that  of  Piedmont;  that  the  Carolina  rice  was  long, 
slender,  white  and  transparent,  answers  well  when  prepared  with  milk, 
sugar,  &c.,  but  not  so  well  when  prepared  au  gras;  that  that  of  Pied- 
mont was  shorter,  thicker,  and  less  wjiite,  but  that  it  presented  its 
form  better  when  dressed  au  gras,  was  better  tasted,  and,  therefore,  pre- 
ferred by  good  judges  for  those  purposes;  that  the  consumption  of  rice, 
in  this  form,  was  much  the  most  considerable,  but  that  the  superior 


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125 


beauty  of  the  Carolina  rice,  seducing  the  eye  of  those  purchasers  who  are 
attached  to  appearances,  the  demand  for  it  was  upon  the  whole  as  great 
as  for  that  of  Piedmont.  They  supposed  this  difference  of  quality  to 
proceed  from  a difference  of  management;  that  the  Carolina  rice  was 
husked  with  an  instrument  that  broke  it  more,  and  that  less  pains  were 
taken  to  separate  the  broken  from  the  unbroken  grains,  imagining  that  it 
was  the  broken  grains  which  dissolved  in  oily  preparations;  that  the 
Carolina  rice  costs  somewhat  less  than  that  of  Piedmont ; but  that  being 
obliged  to  sort  the  whole  grains  from  the  broken,  in  order  to  satisfy  the 
tastes  of  their  customers,  they  asked  and  receive  as  much  for  the  first 
quality  of  Carolina,  when  sorted,  as  for  the  rice  of  Piedmont;  but  the 
second  and  third  qualities,  obtained  by  sorting,  are  sold  much  cheaper. 
The  objection  to  the  Carolina  rice  then,  being,  that  it  crumbles  in  certain 
forms  of  preparation,  and  this  supposed  to  be  the  effect  of  a less  perfect 
machine  for  husking,  I flattered  myself  I should  be  able  to  learn  what 
might  be  the  machines  of  Piedmont,  when  I should  arrive  at  Marseilles, 
to  which  place  I was  to  go  in  the  course  of  a tour  through  the  seaport 
towns  of  this  country.  At  Marseilles,  however,  they  differed  as  much 
in  account  of  the  machines,  as  at  Paris  they  had  differed  about  other  cir- 
cumstances. Some  said  it  was  husked  between  mill-stones,  others  be- 
tween rubbers  of  wood  in  the  form  of  mill-stones,  others  of  cork.  They 
concurred  in  one  fact,  however,  that  the  machine  might  be  seen  by  me, 
immediately  on  crossing  the  Alps.  This  would  be  an  affair  of  three 
weeks.  I crossed  them  and  went  through  the  rice  country  from  Vercelli 
to  Pavia,  about  sixty  miles.  I found  the  machine  to  be  absolutely  the 
same  with  that  used  in  Carolina,  as  well  as  I could  recollect  a descrip- 
tion which  Mr.  E.  Rutledge  had  given  me  of  it.  It  is  on  the  plan  of  a 
powder  mill.  In  some  of  them,  indeed,  they  arm  each  pestle  with  an 
iron  tooth,  consisting  of  nine  spikes  hooked  together,  which  I do  not  re- 
member in  the  description  of  Mr.  Rutledge.  I therefore  had  a tooth 
made  which  I have  the  honor  of  forwarding  you  with  this  letter;  ob- 
serving, at  the  same  time,  that  as  many  of  their  machines  are  without 
teeth  as  with  them,  and  of  course,  that  the  advantage  is  not  very  palpable. 
It  seems  to  follow,  then,  that  the  rice  of  Lombardy  (for  though  called 
Piedmont  rice,  it  does  not  grow  in  that  county  but  in  Lombardy)  is  of 
a different  species  from  that  of  Carolina;  different  in  form,  in  color  and 
in  quality.  We  know  that  in  Asia  they  have  several  distinct  species  of 
this  grain.  Monsieur  Poivre,  a former  Governor  of  the  Isle  of  France, 
in  travelling  through  several  countries^of  Asia,  observed  with  particular 
attention  the  objects  of  their  agriculture,  and  he  tells  us,  that  in  Cochin- 
China  they  cultivate  six  several  kinds  of  rice,  which  he  describes,  three  of 
them  requiring  water,  and  three  growing  on  highlands.  The  rice  of 
Carolina  is  said  to  have  come  from  Madagascar,  and  De  Poivre  tells  us, 
it  is  the  white  rice  which  is  cultivated  there.  This  favors  the  probability 
of  its  being  of  a different  species  originally,  from  that  of  Piedmont ; and 
time,  culture  and  climate  may  have  made  it  still  more  different.  Under 
this  idea,  I thought  it  would  be  well  to  furnish  you  with  some  of  the 
Piedmont  rice,  unhusked,  but  was  told  it  was  contrary  to  the  laws  to 
export  it  in  that  form.  I took  such  measures  as  I could,  however,  to 


126 


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[1787 


have  a quantity  brought  out,  and  lest  these  should  fail,  I brought,  myself, 
a few  pounds.  A part  of  this  I have  addressed  to  you  by  the  way  of  Lon- 
don; a part  comes  with  this  letter;  and  I shall  send  another  parcel  by 
some  other  conveyance,  to  prevent  the  danger  of  miscarriage.  _ Any  one 
of  them  arriving  safe,  may  serve  to  put  in  seed,  should  the  society  think 
it  an  object.  This  seed  too,  coming  from  Vercelli,  where  the  best  rice 
is  supposed  to  grow,  is  more  to  be  depended  on  than  what  may  be  sent 
me  hereafter.  There  is  a rice  from  the  Levant,  which  is  considered  as 
of  a qu^ity  still  difierent,  and  some  think  it  superior  to  that  of  Pied- 
mont. The  troubles  which  have  existed  in  that  country  for  several 
years  back,  have  intercepted  it  from  the  European  market,  so  that  it  is 
become  almost  unknown.  I procured  a bag  of  it,  however,  at  Marseilles, 
and  another  of  the  best  rice  of  Lombardy,  which  are  on  their  way  to  this 
place,  and  when  arrived,  I will  forward  you  a quantity  of  each,  sufficient 
to  enable  you  to  judge  of  their  qualities  when  prepared  for  the  table.  I 
have  also  taken  measures  to  have  a quantity  of  it  brought  from  the 
Levant,  unhusked.  If  I succeed,  it  shall  be  forwarded  in  like  manner. 
I should  think  it  certainly  advantageous  to  cultivate,  in  Carolina  and 
Georgia,  the  two  qualities  demanded  at  market ; because  the  progress  of 
culture,  with  us,  may  soon  get  beyond  the  demand  for  the  white  rice; 
and  because  too,  there  is  often  a brisk  demand  for  the  one  quality,  when 
the  market  is  glutted  with  the  other.  ^ I should  hope  there  would  be  no 
danger  of  losing  the  species  of  white  rice,  by  a confusion  with  the  other. 
This  would  be  a real  misfortune,  as  I should  not  hesitate  to  pronounce 
the  white,  upon  the  whole,  the  most  precious  of  the  two,  for  us.  The 
dry  rice  of  Cochin-China  has  the  reputation  of  being  the  whitest  to  the 
eye,  best  flavored  to  the  taste,  and  most  productive.  It  seems  then  to 
unite  the  good  qualities  of  both  the  others  known  to  us.  Could  it  sup- 
plant them,  it  would  be  a great  happiness,  as  it  would  enable  us  to  get 
rid  of  those  ponds  of  stagnant  water,  so  fatal  to  human  health  and  life. 
But  such  is  the  force  of  habit,  and  caprice  of  taste,  that  we  could  not  be 
sure  before  hand  it  would  produce  diis  effect.  The  experiment,  how- 
ever, is  worth  trying,  should  it  only  end  in  producing  a third  quality, 
and  increasing  the  demand.  1 will  endeavor  to  procure  some  to  be 
brought  from  Cochin-China.  The  event,  however,  will  be  uncertain 
and  distant. 

I was  induced,  in  the  course  of  my  journey  through  the  south  of 
France,  to  pay  very  particular  attention  to  the  objects  of  their  culture, 
because  the  resemblance  of  their  climate  to  that  of  the  southern  parts 
of  the  United  States,  authorizes  us  to  presume  we  may  adopt  any  of  their 
articles  of  culture,  which  we  would  wish  for.  We  should  not  wish  for 
their  wines,  though  they  are  good  and  abundant.  The  culture  of  the 
vine  is  not  desirable  in  lands  capable  of  producing  anything  else.  It  is 
a species  of  gambling,  and  of  desperate  gambling  too,  wherein,  whether 
you  make  much  or  nothing,  you  are  equity  ruined.  The  middling  crop 
alone  is  the  saving  point,  and  that  the  seasons  seldom  hit.  Accordingly, 
we  see  much  wretchedness  among  this  class  of  cultivators.  Wine,  too,  is 
SO  cheap  in  these  countries,  that  a laborer  with  us,  employed  in  the  cul- 
tqte  of  any  other  article,  may  exchange  it  for  wine,  more  and  better  than 


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Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


127 


he  could  raise  himself.  It  is  a resource  for  a country,  the  whole  of 
whose  good  soil  is  otherwise  employed,  and  which  still  has  some  barren 
spots,  and  surplus  of  population  to  employ  on  them.  There  the  vine  is 
good,  because  it  is  something  in  the  place  of  nothing.  It  may  become  a 
resource  to  us  at  a still  earlier  period;  when  the  increase  of  population 
shall  increase  our  productions  beyond  the  demand  for  them,  both  at  home 
and  abroad.  Instead  of  going  on  to  make  an  useless  surplus  of  them,  we 
may  employ  our  supernumerary  hands  on  the  vine.  But  that  period  is 
not  yet  arrived. 

The  almond  tree  is  also  so  precarious,  that  none  can  depend  for  sub- 
sistence on  its  produce,  but  persons  of  capital. 

The  caper,  though  a more  tender  plant,  is  more  certain  in  its  produce, 
because  a mound  of  earth  of  the  size  of  a cucumber  hill,  thrown  over  the 
plant  in  the  fall,  protects  it  effectually  against  the  cold  of  winter. 
When  the  danger  of  frost  is  over  in  the  spring,  they  uncover  it,  and 
begin  its  culture.  There  is  a great  deal  of  this  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Toulon.  The  plants  are  set  about  eight  feet  apart,  and  yield,  one  year 
with  another,  about  two  pounds  of  caper  each,  worth  on  the  spot  sixpence 
sterling  per  pound.  They  require  little  culture,  and  this  may  be  per- 
formed either  with  the  plough  or  hoe.  The  principal  work  is  the  gather- 
ing of  the  fruit  as  it  forms.  Every  plant  must  be  picked  every  other  day, 
from  the  last  of  June  till  the  middle  of  October.  But  this  is  the  work 
of  women  and  children.  This  plant  does  well  in  any  kind  of  soil  which 
is  dry,  or  even  in  walls  where  there  is  no  soil,  and  it  lasts  the  life  of  man. 
Toulon  would  be  the  proper  port  to  apply  for  them.  I must  observe, 
that  the  preceding  details  cannot  be  relied  on  with  the  fullest  certainty, 
because,  in  the  canton  where  this  plant  is  cultivated,  the  inhabitants 
speak  no  written  language,  but  a medley,  which  I could  understand  but 
very  imperfectly. 

The  fig  and  mulberry  are  so  well  known  in  America,  that  nothing 
need  be  said  of  them.  Their  culture,  too,  is  by  women  and  children, 
and,  therefore,  earnestly  to  be  desired  in  countries  where  there  are  slaves. 
In  these,  the  women  and  children  are  often  employed  in  labors  dispro- 
portioned  to  their  sex  and  age.  By  presenting  to  the  master  objects  of 
culture,  easier  and  equally  beneficid,  all  temptation  to  misemploy  them 
would  be  removed,  and  the  lot  of  this  tender  part  of  our  species  be  much 
softened.  By  varying,  too,  the  articles  of  culture,  we  multiply  the 
chances  for  making  something,  and  disarm  the  seasons  in  a proportion- 
able  degree,  of  their  calamitous  effects. 

The  olive  is  a tree  the  least  known  in  America,  and  yet  the  most 
worthy  of  being  known.  Of  all  the  gifts  of  heaven  to  man,  it  is  next  to 
the  most  precious,  if  it  be  not  the  most  precious.  Perhaps  it  may  claim 
a preference  even  to  bread,  because  there  is  such  an  infinitude  of  vege- 
tables, which  it  renders  a proper  and  comfortable  nourishment.  In 
passing  the  Alps  at  the  Col  de  Tende,  where  they  are  mere  masses  of 
rock,  wherever  there  happens  to  be  a little  soil,  there  are  a number  of 
olive  trees,  and  a village  supported  by  them.  Take  away  these  trees, 
and  the  same  ground  in  corn  would  not  support  a single  family.  A 


10.8 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1787 


pound  of  oil,  which  can  be  bought  for  three  or  four  pence  sterling,  is 
equivalent  to  many  pounds  of  flesh,  by  the  quantity  of  vegetables  it  will 
prepare,  and  render  fit  and  comfortable  food.  Without  this  tree,  the 
country  of  Provence  and  territory  of  Genoa  would  not  support  one-half, 
perhaps  not  one-third,  their  present  inhabitants.  The  nature  of  the 
soil  is  of  little  consequence  if  it  be  dry.  The  trees  are  planted  fiom 
fifteen  to  twenty  feet  apart,  and  when  tolerably  good,  will  yield  fifteen 
or  twenty  pounds  of  oil  yearly,  one  with  another.  There  are  trees  which 
yield  much  more.  They  begin  to  render  good  crops  at  twenty  years  old, 
and  last  till  killed  by  cold,  which  happens  at  some  time  or  other,  even  in 
their  best  positions  in  France.  But  they  put  out  again  from  their  roots. 
In  Italy,  I am  told,  they  have  trees  two  hundred  years  old.  They  afford 
an  easy  but  constant  employment  through  the  year,  and  require  so  little 
nourishment,  that  if  the  soil  be  fit  for  any  other  production,  it  may  be 
cultivated  among  the  olive  trees  without  injuring  them.  The  northern 
limits  of  this  tree  are  the  mountains  of  Cevennes,  from  about  the 
meridian  of  Carcassonne  to  the  Rhone,  and  from  thence,  the  Alps  and 
the  Apennines  as  far  as  Genoa,  I know,  and  how  much  farther  I am  not 
informed.  The  shelter  of  these  mountains  may  be  considered  as  equiva- 
lent to  a degree  and  a half  of  latitude,  at  least,  because  westward  of  the 
commencement  of  the  Cevennes,  there  are  no  olive  trees  in  43-i“  or  even 
43®  of  latitude,  whereas,  we  find  them  now  on  the  Rhone  at  Pierrelatte, 
in  44i“,  and  formerly  they  were  at  Tains,  above  the  mouth  of  the  Isere, 
in  45®,  sheltered  by  the  near  approach  of  the  Cevennes  and  Alps,  which 
only  leave  there  a passage  for  the  Rhone.  Whether  such  a shelter  exists 
or  not  m the  States  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  I know  not.  But 
this  we  may  say,  either  that  it  exists  or  that  it  is  not  necessary  there,  be- 
cause we  know  that  they  produce  the  orange  in  open  air ; and  wherever 
the  orange  will  stand  at  all,  experience  shows  that  the  olive  will  stand 
well,  being  a hardier  tree.  Notwithstanding  the  great  quantities  of  oil 
made  in  France,  they  have  not  enough  for  their  own  consumption,  and, 
therefore  import  from  other  countries.  This  is  an  article,  the  consump- 
tion of  which  will  always  keep  pace  with  its  production.  Raise  it,  and  it 
begets  its  own  demand.  Little  is  carried  to  America,  because  Europe  has 
it  not  to  spare.  We,  therefore,  have  not  learned  the  use  of  it.  But  cover 
the  southern  States  with  it,  and  every  man  will  become  a consumer  of 
oil,  within  whose  reach  it  can  be  bought  in  point  of  price.  If  the 
memory  of  those  persons  is  held  in  great  respect  in  South  Carolina  who 
inteoduced  there  the  culture  of  rice,  a plant  which  sows  life  and  death 
with  almost  equal  hand,  what  obligations  would  be  due  to  him  who 
should  introduce  the  olive  tree,  and  set  the  example  of  its  culture  I 
Were  the  owner  of  slaves  to  view  it  only  as  a means  of  bettering  their 
condition,  how  much  would  he  better  that  by  planting  one  of  those  trees 
for  every  slave  he  possessed  I Having  been  myself  an  eye  witness  to  the 
blessings  which  this  tree  sheds  on  the  poor,  I never  had  my  wishes  so 
kindled  for  the  introduction  of  any  article  of  new  culture  into  our  own 
counti^,  ^ South  Carolina  and  Georgia  appear  to  me  to  be  the  States, 
wherein  its  success,  in  favorable  positions  at  least,  could  not  be  doubted. 


1787] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


129 


and  I flattered  myself  it  w6uld  come  within  the  views  of  the  society  for 
agriculture  to  begin  the  experiments  which  are  to  prove  its  practicability. 
Carcassonne  is  the  place  from  which  the  plants  may  be  most  certainly 
and  cheaply  obtained.  They  can  be  sent  from  thence  by  water  to 
Bordeaux,  where  they  may  be  embarked  on  vessels  bound  for  Charleston. 
There  is  too  little  intercourse  between  Charleston  and  Marseilles  to 
propose  this  as  the  port  of  exportation.  I offer  my  services  to  the  society 
for  the  obtaining  and  forwarding  any  number  of  plants  which  may  be 
desired. 

Before  I quit  the  subject  of  climates,  and  the  plants  adapted  to  them, 
I will  add,  as  a matter  of  curiosity,  and  of  some  utility,  too,  that  my  jour- 
ney through  the  southern  parts  of  France,  and  the  territory  of  Genoa, 
but  still  more  the  crossing  of  the  Alps,  enaUed  me  to  form  a scale  of  the 
tenderer  plants,  and  to  arrange  them  according  to  their  different  powers 
of  resisting  cold.  In  passing  the  Alps  at  the  Col  de  Tende,  we  cross 
three  very  high  moutains  successivdy.  In  ascending,  we  lose  these 
plants,  one  after  another,  as  we  rise,  and  And  them  again  in  the  contrary 
order  as  we  descend  on  the  other  side;  and  this  is  repeated  three  times. 
Their  order,  proceeding  from  the  tenderest  to  the  hardiest,  is  as  follows : 
caper,  orange,  palm,  aloe,  olive,  pomegranate,  walnut,  fig,  almond.  But 
this  must  be  understood  of  the  plant  only;  for  as  to  the  fruit,  the  order 
is  somewhat  different.  The  caper,  for  example,  is  the  tenderest  plant, 
wt,  being  so  easily  protected,  it  is  among  the  most  certain  in  its  fruit. 
The  almond,  the  hardiest,  loses  its  fruit  the  oftenest,  on  account  of  its 
forwardness.  The  palm,  hardier  than  the  caper  and  orange,  never  pro- 
duces perfect  fruit  here. 

I had  the  honor  of  sending  you,  the  last  year,  some  seeds  of  the  sulla 
of  Malta,  or  Spanish  St.  Foin.  Lest  they  should  have  miscarried,  I now 
pack  with  the  rice  a cannister  of  the  same  kind  of  seed,  raised  by  myself. 
By  Colonel  Franks,  in  the  month  of  February  last,  I sent  a parcel  of 
acorns  of  the  cork  oak,  which  I desired  him  to  ask  the  favor  of  the  Dele- 
gates of  South  Carolina  in  Congress  to  forward  to  you.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  6:  193-204.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Hawkins.) 

Paris,  August  4,  1787. 

I have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  March  the  8*^  and 
June  the  9*”,  and  to  give  you  many  thanks  for  the  trouble  you  have  taken 
with  the  dionaea  muscipula.  I have  not  yet  heard  anything  of  them, 
which  makes  me  fear  they  have  perished  by  the  way.  I believe  the  most 
effectual  means  of  conveying  ^em  hither,  will  be  by  the  seed.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  6:  231.) 

(Jefferson  to  Richard  Cary.) 

Paris  Aug.  13.  1787. 

...  I shall  be  sending  a box  of  books  directed  to  mf  Wythe,  in 
this  I will  put  the  seeds  & bulbs  which  I was  disappointed  in  sending 


130 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book. 


[1787 


you  last  year,  as  well  as  a repetition  of  those  I sent.  • • • I will  send 
you  also  some  plants  of  the  melon  apricot,  a vaiiety  of  fruit  obtained  in 
France  only  8.  or  10.  years  ago  & as  yet  known  no  where  else,  it  is  an 
Apricot  with  the  high  flavor  of  a mushmelon,  & is  certainly  the  best  fruit 
in  this  country,  you  have  never  yet  told  me  what  seeds  etc,  you  wish  for 
most,  so  I am  obliged  still  to  go  on  the  old  edition  in  Mazzei  s hands. 

. . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Andrew  Limozin.) 

Paris  Sep.  2.  1787. 

By  the  inclosed  paper  I presume  there  are  arrived  for  me  on  board 
the  packet  three  small  boxes  of  seeds  or  plants,  and  a large  box,  the  con- 
tents of  which  I know  not.  I will  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  pay  for  me 
the  freight  & other  expenses,  and  to  send  the  three  small  boxes  by  the 
Diligence,  as  to  the  large  one,  I conjecture  it  may  contain  bones  & 
other  objects  of  Natural  history  which  should  come  by  water,  as  the 
motion  of  a carriage  would  destroy  them.  I will  therefore  pray  you  to 
send  the  large  box  up  here  by  water,  taking  such  precautions  as  are  neces- 
sary to  prevent  their  being  stopped  at  Rouen,  perhaps  the  plumbing  the 
box  may  be  necessary ; in  which  case  I will  take  particular  care  to  return 
any  Acquit  a caution  you  may  be  so  kind  as  to  enter  into  for  me.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Nicholas  Lewis.) 

Paris  Sept.  17.  1787. 

...  I cultivate  in  my  garden  here  Indian  corn  for  the  use  of  my  own 
table  to  eat  green  in  our  manner,  but  the  species  I am  able  to  get  here 
for  seed,  is  hard  with  a thick  skin,  & dry.  I had  at  Monticello  a spe- 
cies of  small  white  rare  ripe  corn  which  we  ciill  Homony-corn,  and  of 
which  we  used  to  make  about  20  barrels  a year  for  table  use,  green,  in 
homony,  & in  bread,  great  George  will  know  well  what  kind  I mean. 
I wish  it  were  possible  for  me  to  receive  an  car  of  this  in  time  for  the 
next  year.  I think  it  too  might  be  done  if  you  would  be  so  good  as  to 
find  an  opportunity  of  sending  one  to  mf  Madison  at  New  York,  and 
another  to  mf  A.  Donald  at  Richmond,  more  at  your  leisure  I would 
ask  you  to  send  me  also  an  ear  or  two  of  the  drying  corn  from  the 
Cherokee  country,  some  best  watermelon  seeds,  some  fine  canteloupe 
melon  seeds,  seeds  of  the  common  sweet  potato  (I  mean  the  real  seeds  & 
not  the  roots,  which  cannot  be  brought  here  without  rotting,)  an  hun- 
dred or  two  acorns  of  the  willow  oak  and  about  a peck  of  acorns  of  the 
ground  oak  or  dwarf  oak,  of  the  kind  that  George  gathered  for  me  one 
year  upon  the  barrens  of  buck  island  creek,  as  these  will  be  of  some 
bulk,  I will  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  send  them  to  mf  Donald  of  Rich- 
mond who  will  find  a conveinnee  for  them  to  Havre.  (Jefferson  Papers, 
li,  C.) 


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131 


(Jefferson  to  the  Delegates  of  South  Carolina.) 

Paris  Sept.  18.  1787. 

I take  the  liberty  of  sending  to  your  care  the  third  and  last  parcel  of 
Piedmont  rice,  addressed  to  mr  Drayton,  and  will  beg  favor  of  you 
to  have  it  forwarded.  I divided  it  into  three  separate  parcels  that  the 
chances  of  some  one  of  them  getting  safely  to  hand  might  be  multiplied. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  la  Comtesse  de  Tesse.) 

Paris  Octob.  17,  1787 

The  last  parcel  of  seeds  which  1 had  the  honor  of  sending  you, 
Madam,  overburthened  you  in  quantity,  and  stinted  you  in  variety.  I 
now  enclose  you  a list  which  has  exactly  the  contrary  faults,  the  variety 
is  great,  the  quantities  small,  in  some  instances  there  is  not  more  than 
one,  two,  or  three  grains.  Your  goodness  will  pardon  this,  as  you  know 
the  difficulties  which  attend  the  obtaining  supplies  of  seeds  from  America. 
These  have  been  very  long  detained  on  their  passage.  . . . The  packages 
are  all  numbered  in  correspondence  with  the  list  inclosed.  The  second 
order  of  numbers  from  i to  39  are  distinguished  on  the  packages  by  the 
letter  H meaning  the  Herbaceous  plants.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Mis- 
souri Historical  Society.) 

(Ralph  Izard  to  Jefferson.) 

South  Bay,  Charleston,  Nov.  io*’>,  1787 

Your  letter  of  1'^  August  came  to  my  hands  several  weeks  before 
Mr.  Drayton  received  his  on  the  subject  of  Rice,  olives,  & etc,  to  which 
I was  refered.  We  are  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  trouble  you  have 
taken,  & for  the  information  you  have  given.  When  I was  in  Italy,  the 
Rice  of  that  Country  appeared  inferior  to  ours.  1 had  been  several  years 
absent  from  America,  & the  difference  did  not  then  appear  to  me  so 
great  as  it  does  now.  The  Seed  which  you  have  sent,  & which  you  say 
is  of  the  best  kind,  will  bear  no  comparison  with  ours;  & I am  surprised 
to  learn  that  the  price  is  nearly  equ^.  You  say  that  our  Rice  dissolves 
when  dressed  with  Meat:  this  must  be  owing  to  some  mismanagement  in 
dressing  it,  I have  examined  my  cook  on  the  subject,  & find  that  as 
meat  requires  to  be  longer  on  the  fire  than  Rice,  they  must  be  dressed 
separately,  until  each  is  nearly  done,  & then  the  combination  is  to  be 
made.  The  water  must  boil  before  die  Rice  is  put  into  it,  or  the  grains 
will  not  be  distinct  from  each  other.  The  rice  you  have  sent  will  be 
planted.  I hope  great  care  will  be  taken  to  keep  it  at  a distance  from  the 
other  Rice  Fields ; for  if  the  Farina  should  blow  on  them,  it  may  be  the 
means  of  propagating  an  inferior  species  among  us.  For  that  reason  I 
should  be  glad  that  you  would  not  send  any  more  of  it.  As  the  quality 
of  our  rice  is  inffnitdy  superior  to  that  of  Italy,  I am  persuaded  it  will 


132 


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[1787 

annually  gain  ground  in  France,  & finally  exclude  the  other  entirely. 
This  is  a considerable  object  to  us,  & will  likewise  be  of  service  to  the 
manufacturers  of  France.  I believe  Italy  receives  money  from  France 
in  return  for  her  Rice.  We  should  want  Negroes,  Cloth,  Blank  & 
implements  of  Husbandry  as  articles  of  absolute  necessity ; besides  many 
others  of  convenience,  & some  of  Luxury.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,h.C,) 

(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan.) 

Paris  Dec.  a8.  1787. 

I have  this  day  received  your  favor  of  the  ig***  instant  and  avail 
myself  of  the  first  post  to  pray  you  to  send  the  second  couffe  of  rice  of 
Egypt  by  the  American  brig  Nancy,  Capt.  Shewell,  consigned  to  mr 
Wm.  Drayton  Chairman  of  the  .society  for  Agriculture  at  Charleston  in 
South  Carolina,  writing  a line  to  him  at  the  same  time  to  inform  him  of 
it,  & that  it  comes  from  me.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

The  following  entries  from  Jefferson’s  Account  Book  1^83- 
If  go  supplement  his  letters  about  agricultural,  gardening,  and 
botanical  pursuits  during  the  year: 

Jan.  10.  p*  Petit  for  garden  seeds — 10-10. 

Feb.  5.  p*"  I’Abbe  Arnoud  portage  of  cork  acorns  12  f 10. 

Apr.  8.  Hieres.  seeing  gardens  2 f 8. 

Apr.  10.  Nice,  seeing  King’s  garden  I f 4. 

Apr.  20.  Vcrcelli.  rough  rice  3 f. 

Apr.  23.  Casino,  see  rice  mill  i f.  teeth  for  Rice  pestil  5 f 10. 

Apr.  23.  Pavia,  seeing  botanical  garden  etc.  3 f. 

May  II.  S‘.  foin  seed  8 f. 

July  19.  p*  John  Lamb  for  Cathalan,  for  rice  8s  f 5* 

Sept.  30.  p*  at  King’s  garden  18*. 

Oct.  I.  p"*  Mr.  Short  1200  f.  charge  him  also  86.35  dollars  p*  by  C, 
Thomson  for  plants  for  M**®  de  Tesse  and  23  H-ia  &-6  d. 
p*  for  their  freight  = 476  H-18  s-6  d. 

Oct.  20.  p*  portage  of  boxes  of  plants  & bones  from  Havre  18  f. 

Nov.  1.  p*  Limozin’s  bill  for  freight  of  plants  & bones  1 60  H-7. 


1788 

iy88.*  On  March  4 Jefferson  left  Paris  for  a trip  to 
Amsterdam  intent  on  official  duties.  On  the  return  journey  to 
the  French  capital  he  took  a tour  of  the  Rhine  as  far  as  Stras- 
burg.  He  related  his  observations  in  a journal  (“Memo- 
randum on  a Tour  from  Paris  to  Amsterdam,  Strasburg,  and 
back  to  Paris."  Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  17:  244- 
290)  and  in  his  Account  Book  Randall  says  of 

this  journal : 

It  is  as  dry  and  utilitarian  in  its  tone  and  topics  as  his  previous  pro- 
ductions of  the  same  class.  It  gives  precise  and  oftentimes  minute  de- 
tails in  regard  to  the  topography,  agriculture,  population,  architecture, 
mechanical  arts,  etc.,  of  the  country  passed  through.  (Randall,  Jeffer- 
son x:  500.) 

Jefferson  discussed  rice  and  olives  in  his  letters  to  friends, 
and  again  sent  to  them  seeds  and  plants,  as  in  1787.  In  re- 
turn he  recj^ived  more  seeds  and  plants  from  America.  Early 
in  January  Jefferson  made  the  following  disbursements  to  M. 
Limozin,  his  agent,  for  seeds  and  fruits: 

1788,  Jan.  II,  Disbursements  on  a barrel  of  rice  36-17-6. 

Jan.  27,  Disbursements  on  2 boxes  of  seeds  sent  by  J.  Madison 
12-18. 

Disbursements  on  4 barrels  of  fruit  & i caisse  of  trees 
rcc*.  by  the  Packet  59—1—3. 

{Jefferson  'Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

Letters  and  Extracts  op  Letters,  1788 

(Jefferson  to  Andrew  Limozin.) 

Paris  Jan  13,  1788. 

By  the  Carrossa  which  goes  from  hence  to  Havre  I have  forwarded  a 
package  of  rough  rice  addressed  to  you.  1 am  in  hopes  it  may  arrive  in 
time  to  go  with  the  inclosed  letter  by  the  Juno  Capt,  Jenkins.  I will 
beg  the  favour  of  you  to  put  on  it  this  address  ‘For  Mr.  William  Dray- 
ton, Charleston : to  the  care  of  the  Delegates  of  S.  Carolina  in  Congress,’ 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

133 


134 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1788 


and  to  pay  the  freight  for  me.  ...  I have  had  the  rice  brought  from 
Egypt,  to  furnish  S.  Carolin.-i  with  a species  of  that  grain  which  it  does 
not  possess.  I wish  the  captain  of  the  vessel  therefore  would  so  place  it 
as  that  it  may  not  be  e.xposed  neither  to  heat  or  moisture,  which  would 
destroy  it's  vegetative  power.  . . . (Je/ferson  Paper*.  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  the  Delegates  of  South  Carolina.) 

Paris  Jan.  13,  1788. 

In  hopes  that  a Gouffe  of  rough  rice  which  I have  just  received  from 
Egypt  may  reach  Havre  in  time  to  go  by  the  Juno  Capt,  Jenkins,  I have 
sent  it  off  for  that  port,  it  is  .addressed  to  mr  Drayton  at  Charleston 
& I take  the  liberty  of  recommending  it  to  your  care,  to  be  forwarded  so 
as  that  it  may  arrive  in  time  for  the  season  of  sowing,  if  possible.  {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Drayton.) 

Paris  Jan.  13,  1788. 

By  Capt.  Shewell,  who  is  sailing  about  this  time  from  Marseilles  for 
Charleston  I directed  to  be  forwarded  to  you  one  of  two  Couffes  of 
rough  rice  which  1 had  had  brought  from  Egypt,  the  other  came  to  me 
here,  and  will  be  carried  from  Havre  to  New  York  addressed  to  you  to 
the  care  of  the  delegates  of  S.  Carolina  in  Congress.  I wish  both  may 
arrive  in  time  for  the  approaching  seed  time,  and  that  the  trials  with 
this,  & the  Piedmont  rice  may  furnish  new  advantages  to  your  agricul- 
ture. I have  considerable  hopes  of  receiving  some  dry  rice  from  Cochin- 
China,  the  young  prince  of  that  country  lately  gone  from  hence,  having 
undertaken  that  it  shall  come  to  me.  but  it  will  be  some  time  first, 
these  are  all  but  experiments ; the  precept  however  is  wise  which  directs 
us  to  'try  all  things,  & hold  fast  that  which  is  good.’  {Jefferson  Papers, 

L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Rutledge,  Jr.) 

Paris,  January  19,  1788. 

...  I must  press  on  you,  my  dear  Sir,  a very  particular  attention  to 
the  climate  and  culture  of  the  olive  tree.  This  is  the  most  interesting 
plant  in  existence  for  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  You  will  see  in 
various  places  that  it  gives  being  to  whole  villages  in  places  where  there 
is  not  soil  enough  to  subsist  a family  by  the  means  of  any  other  culture. 
But  consider  it  as  the  means  of  bettering  the  condition  of  your  slaves  in, 
South  Carolina.  Sec  in  the  poorer  parts  of  France  and  Italy  what  a 
number  of  vegetables  are  rendered  eatable  by  the  aid  of  a little  oil,  which 
vrould  otherwise  be  useless.  Remark  very  particularly  the  northern 
limits  of  this  tree,  and  whether  it  exists  by  the  help  of  shelter  from  the 
mountains,  etc.  I know  this  is  the  case  in  France.  I wish  to  know 
where  the  northern  limit  of  this  plant  crosses  the  Apennines ; where  it 
crosses  the  Adriatic  and  the  Archipelago,  and  if  possible  what  course  it 


*788] 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


135 


takes  through  Asia.  The  %,  the  dried  raisin,  the  pistache,  the  date,  the 
caper,  are  all  very  interesting  objects  for  your  study.  Should  you  not  in 
your  passage  through  countries  where  they  are  cultivated  inform  yourself 
of  their  hardiness,  their  culture,  the  manner  of  transporting,  etc.,  you 
might  hereafter  much  repent  it  Both  then  and  now  I hope  you  will 
excuse  me  for  suggesting  them  to  your  attention ; not  omitting  the  article 
of  rice  also,  of  which  you  will  see  species  difierent  from  your  own.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  7:  51-52.) 

(Jefferson  to  Andrew  Limozin.) 

Paris  Jan  22.  1788. 

I am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  care  of  the  rice,  & hope  will  arrive 
in  time  for  the  sowing  season.  ...  by  the  packet  latdy  arrived  he  [Mr. 
James  Madison]  has  sent  me 

a box  of  plants 
2.  barrels  of  apples. 

2.  barrels  of  cranberries. 

be  so  good  as  to  send  the  box  of  plants  by  the  Diligence  or  by  a Roulier 
as  you  shall  see  best.  I had  rather  by  the  Diligence  unless  it  be  very 
heavy  indeed  & of  course  too  expensive  for  the  object,  the  barrels  of 
Apples  & Cranberries  can  come  by  water  only,  as  the  motion  of  land 
carriage  would  reduce  them  to  mummy.*  (Jefferson  Papers^  L.  C.) 

(Stephen  Cathalan  to  Jefferson.) 

Marseilles,  25  Jan.  1788 

Invoice  of  Sundries-Provisions  sent  as  follows  p.  order  & For  acet.  of 
his  excellency  Thos.  Jefferson  Esq.  of  Paris. 

T.  J.  2 Couffes  Egyptian  Rice,  unshielded,  and  sent  to  his  address  by 
land  at  Paris. 

W D I loaded  on  the  vessel  Nancy  Capt.  Rob‘.  Shewell,  to  the  ad- 
E C dress  of  William  Drayton  Esq.  president  of  the  Society  of  Agri- 
culture at  Charleston.  Amounting  as  to  Invoice  

£ 108.14. 

(Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Paris  Feb.  6.  1788. 

I wrote  you  last  on  the  ao“.  of  December  since  which  yours  of  the 
same  day  and  of  the  have  come  to  hand,  the  apples  and  cranberries 
you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  at  the  same  time  were  all  spoiled  when  they 
arrived  at  Havre,  so  that  probably  those  articles  will  not  keep  during 
die  passage,  the  box  of  plants  is  arrived  at  the  Custom  house  here,  but 
I shall  probably  not  receive  them  till  after  I shall  have  sealed  my  letter. 

*The  apples  and  cranberries  had  spoiled  when  Jefferson  received 
them. — ^Ed. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1788 


136 


they  are  well  chosen,  as  to  the  species,  for  this  country.  I wish  there 
had  been  some  willow  oaks  (Quercus  Phellos  Linnaeus)  among  them, 
either  the  plants  or  acorns,  as  that  tree  is  much  desired  here,  & abso- 
lutely unknown,  as  the  red-birds  & opossums  are  not  to  be  had  at  New 
York,  I will  release  you  from  the  trouble  of  procuring  them  elsewhere, 
this  trouble,  with  the  incertainty  of  their  coming  safe,  is  more  than  the 
importance  of  the  object  will  justify,  you  omitted  to  inclose  Princes’s 
catalogue  of  plants  which  your  letter  mentions  to  have  been  inclosed. 
I send  herewith  two  small  boxes,  one  addressed  to  mf  Drayton  to  the 
care  of  the  S.  Carolina  delegates,  with  a letter,  will  you  be  so  good  as 
to  ask  those  gentlemen  to  forward  the  letter  & box  without  delay,  the 
box  contains  cork  acorns,  & Sulla,  which  should  arrive  at  their  destina- 
tion as  quick  as  possible,  the  other  box  is  addressed  to  you,  & contains, 
cork  acorns,  Sulla,  and  peas,  the  two  first  articles  to  be  forwarded  to 
Monticello  to  Col“.  Nicholas  Lewis,  taking  thereout  what  proportion 
of  them  you  please  for  yourself,  the  peas  are  brought  me  from  the 
South  of  France  and  are  said  to  be  valuable,  considering  the  season  of 
the  year  I think  it  would  be  best  to  sow  them  at  New  York,  and  to  send 
the  produce  on  next  winter  to  such  persons  as  you  please  in  Virginia,  in 
order  to  try  whether  they  are  any  of  them  better  than  what  we  already 
have,  the  Sulla  is  a species  of  S‘.  foin  which  comes  from  Malta,  and  is 
proof  against  any  degree  of  drought.  I have  raised  it  in  my  garden 
here,  and  find  it  a luxuriant  & precious  plant.  . . . 

I will  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  send  me  a copy  of  the  American  philo- 
sophical transactions,  both  the  1“,  & a®,  volumes,  by  the  first  packet. 

, . . (.Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Andrew  Limoxin.) 

Paris  Feb.  6.  1788. 

The  box  of  plants  you  were  so  kind  as  to  forward  me  arrived  at  the 
Douane.  I shall  send  for  them  tomorrow  morning.  [See  letter  Janu- 
ary 22.]  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Drayton.) 

Paris  Feb.  6.  1788. 

...  I now  send  a small  box  containing  cork  acorns  of  the  last  year, 
a small  paper  of  Sulla-seed  from  Malta,  and  a larger  one  of  the  same 
species  of  seeds  from  plants  growing  in  my  own  garden.  I am  persuaded 
from  what  I see  and  have  heard  of  this  plant  that  it  will  be  precious  for 
your  climate.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Monsieur  de  Bertroux.) 

Paris  Feb.  21,  1788. 

I am  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  letter  you  did  me  the 
honor  to  write  me  on  the  2xst.  of  January,  together  with  the  book  on 
the  culture  of  the  olive  tree.  This  is  a precious  present  to  me,  and  I 
'pray  you  to  accept  my  thanks  for  it.  I am  just  gratified  by  letters  from 


1788] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


137 


South  Carolina,  which  inform  me  that  in  consequence  of  the  information 
I had  given  them  on  the  subject  of  the  olive  tree,  and  the  probability  of 
its  succeeding  with  them,  several  rich  individuals  propose  to  begin  its 
culture  there.  This  will  not  interfere  with  the  commerce  of  France, 
because  she  imports  much  moie  oil  than  she  exports,  and  because  the 
consumption  of  oil  in  the  United  States  at  present,  is  so  inconsiderable, 
that  should  their  demand  be  totally  withdrawn  at  the  European  market, 
and  supplied  at  home,  it  will  produce  no  sensible  effect  in  Europe.  We 
can  never  produce  that  article  in  very  great  quantity,  because  it  happens 
that  in  our  two  southernmost  States,  where  only  the  climate  is  adapted 
to  the  olive,  the  soil  is  so  generally  rich  as  to  be  unfit  for  that  tree,  and 
proper  for  other  productions  of  more  immediate  profit.  I am  to  thank 
you,  also,  for  the  raisins  of  Smyrna,  without  seed,  which  I received  from 
you  through  Mr.  Grand.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  6:  431.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Short.) 

Amsterdam  Mar.  2g.  1788. 

My  friend  Bannister  must  have  been  negligent  if  his  plants  are  not  ar- 
riving by  this  time.  I have  written  from  hence  to  Limozin  to  send  them 
on  by  the  roulier  or  Diligence  the  moment  they  arrive,  you  will  be  so 
good  as  to  mention  this  to  Madame  de  Tesse,  with  my  respects  to  her  & 
Mad*  de  Tott.  some  few  of  the  plants  & seeds  I intended  for  another 
friend  but  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  direct  any  partition  from  hence. 
(^Jefferson  Papers.  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Francis  Coffyn.) 

Paris  April  28.  1788. 

Your  favor  of  March  22.  arrived  during  my  abstence  on  a journey  to 
Amsterdam  from  which  I am  but  lately  returned.  I thank  you  for  your 
attention  to  the  4.  boxes  of  plants  and  have  to  ask  the  favor  of  you  to 
send  them  by  the  first  conveiance  by  sea  to  Havre  to  the  care  of  M. 
Limozin.  I have  reason  to  believe  there  arc  some  seeds  also,  if  these 
are  packed  in  a separate  box  I will  beg  of  you  to  send  them  (that  is,  the 
seeds)  by  the  Diligence  immediately,  or  indeed  if  they  are  in  the  same 
boxes  with  the  plants,  if  you  can  get  at  them  readily  without  disturbing 
the  plants  I will  thank  you  to  pack  them  in  a box  and  send  them  by  the 
Diligence,  because  there  is  not  a moment  to  lose  for  putting  them  into 
the  ground,  be  so  good  as  to  write  me  the  amount  of  the  expences  these 
things  may  cost  you,  & tell  me  if  you  have  any  correspondent  at  Paris  to 
whom  I may  pay  it.  if  not,  I can  send'  it  to  you  by  Mr.  Rotch  who'  is 
here  from  Dunkirk.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Nicholas  Lewis.) 

Paris  July  ir,  1788. 

...  I thank  Mrs.  Lewis  kindly  for  the  ears  of  corn  & the  seeds  ac- 
companying them  which  are  safely  come  to  hand.  The  homony  corn  is 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1788 


138 


a precious  present.  The  corn  of  this  country  and  of  Italy,  as  far  as  I 
have  seen  it,  cannot  be  eaten,  either  in  the  form  of  corn  or  of  bread,  by 
any  person  who  has  eaten  that  of  America.  I have  planted  some  grains 
which  may  perhaps  come  to  maturity  as  we  have  still  3 months  & a half 
to  frost.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  5:  417*) 


(Jefferson  to  William  Drayton.) 

Paris  July  17.  1787  [=1788]. 

My  letters  of  Jan.  13.  & Feb.  6.  informed  you  that  I had  sent  to  your 
address  i.  a couife  of  Egyptian  rough  rice  by  capt  Shaw — all  bound  from 
Marseilles  to  Charleston.  2.  another  d®.  by  the  Juno  capt.  Jenkins 
bound  from  Havre  to  N.  York.  3.  a box  with  cork  acorns  & Sulla 
seed  by  the  Packet  from  Havre  to  N.  York,  a letter  from  the  delegates 
of  S.  Carolina  dated  New  York  Apr.  25.  announced  to  me  the  safe  ar- 
rival there  of  the  couife,  and  their  hopes  of  getting  it  to  you  before 
the  seed  time  would  be  over. 

I am  now  to  acknolegc  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  Nov.  aS-  1787 
which  did  not  get  to  my  hands  till  April  24.  1788.  in  consequence 
thereof  I wrote  to  a mf.  Cathalan  at  Marseilles  to  engage  a gardener 
to  prepare  a large  number  of  olive  plants,  of  those  which  yeild  the 
best  Provence  oil,  & to  have  them  in  readiness  to  be  sc’nt  by  any  vessels 
which  may  occur,  bound  to  Charleston:  & besides  this,  to  send  a great 
quantity  of  olives  to  be  sown  in  order  to  raise  stoeb.  these  stocks  would 
yeild  a wilding  fruit,  & worthless:  they  are  only  to  serve  therefore  to  en- 
graft on  from  the  plants  which  will  go,  & which  will  yeild  cuttings,  this 
is  the  quickest  way  of  procuring  extensive  plantations,  & it  is  the  best  also, 
mf.  Cathalan  writes  me  word  he  will  charge  a gardener  to  do  this,  but 
that  as  the  objects  cannot  be  sent  from  Marseilles  till  the  last  of  January, 
it  will  be  March  or  April  before  you  can  receive  them.  Mess".  Brails- 
ford  & Morris  have  remitted  to  me  726.  livre  tournois  for  this  object 
which  have  been  duly  paid.  M'.  Rutledge,  the  son  of  Governor  Rut- 
ledge, having  lately  set  out  from  this  place  on  a tour  which  will  take  in 
Italy  Sc  the  South  of  France,  I recommended  to  him  to  pay  very  par- 
ticular attention  to  the  character  & culture  of  this  tree,  as  also  to  the 
caper,  dates,  hg,  raisin,  pistache  and  also  to  the  article  of  rice.  I am  in 
hopes  he  will  be  able  to  enrich  you  with  much  more  particular  details 
than  it  has  been  in  ray  power  to  do. — I shall  be  happy  to  be  further  in- 
strumental in  promoting  the  views  of  the  Agricultural  society,  and  of 
executing  their  commands  at  all  times.  . . . (.Jefferson  Papers^  L.  C.) 

(Madame  de  Tesse  to  Jefferson.) 

A Chaville,  le  8 aout  [1788]. 

Monsieur  JeEerson  aiant  eu  la  bontd  de  faire  connaitre  d Mde  de 
Tessd  t[ue  ce  moment  qr  ctoit  convenable  pour  demander  des  plans  et 
des  graines  de  Virginie,  elle  prend  la  liberte  de  lui  adresser  une  petite 
notte  de  ce  qu’elle  ddsire  plus  particulierement  et  plus  abondamment. 


1788] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


139 


Elle  y ajoute  quelque  chose  pour  la  Caroline  dans  le  cas  ou  Monsieur 
Jefferson  se  trouveroit  devoir  ecrire  a Charles-Town,  et  souhaiterait  bien 
qu’il  s’adresse  aiix  correspondens  de  Mr.  Short,  bien  preferable  a ceux 
qu’il  emploie  en  ce  qu’on  re(;oit  leurs  memoires.  . . . 

Plants  de  Viroinie  * 

Quercus  rubra  maxima. 

Quercus  rubra  ramosissima. 

Quercus  rubra  nana. 

Quercus  Phellos  of  all  sorts. 

Fagus  castanea,  pumelo  dit  chinquepin. 

Stewartia  Malacodendron.  Get  arbuste  d’une  grande  beaute  ne  crott 
qu’en  Virginie  et  dans  le  Maryland.  II  est  tres  rare  meme  en  Angle- 
terre,  et  les  marchands  de  Philadelphie  n’en  mettent  qu’une  graine  ou 
deux  dans  leurs  assortimens. 

Graines  de  Viroinie 

Pinus  palustris. 

Cupressus  Disticha. 

Liriodendrum  Tulipifera. 

Diospyros. 

Plants  de  Caroline 

Populus  cordifolia.  Populus  heterophylla.  Linn, 

Pinus  Palustris.  Pinus  picea, 

Annona  glabra.  Papaw  of  Virginia. 

Andromeda  arborea. 

Andromeda  plumata  9. 

Laurus  nova  9. 

Laurus  estivalis. 

Callicarpa  Americana. 

Sydeioxilon.  Not  in  Virginia,  qu  [oere]  if  in  America, 

Gardenia  or  Tothergille  [=  Fothergilla],  this  grows  in  Florida  only, 

(Gilbert  Chinard,  Trois  Amities  frangaises  de  Jefferson  (Paris,  1927) : 
' 104-106.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  Banister,  Jr.) 

Paris  Aug.  9.  1788. 

I am  to  return  you  many  thanks  for  the  trouble  you  gave  yourself  in 
collecting  & sending  me  the  plants,  a concurrence  of  unlucky  circum- 
stances has  in  a considerable  degree  defeated  the  effect  of  your  goodness, 
the  ship  on  arriving  at  Havre  in  Feb.  or  Mar.  was  obliged  to  go  instantly 
to  Dunkirk,  my  correspondent  at  Dunkirk  immediately  wrote  to  me 
for  orders.  I had  just  set  out  on  a journey  to  Holland  & Germany  & 
did  not  return  till  April,  St  then  they  had  to  come  here  by  land,  which 

* Les  mots  en  italique  sont  de  la  main  de  Jefferson. 


140 


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[1788 


circumstance  with  the  lateness  of  the  season  had  destroyed  a great  part 
of  them.  I must  trouble  you  once  more  for  the  same  ladyi  who  asks  me 
to  procure  her  what  is  contained  in  the  inclosed  list,  be  so  good  as  to 
collect  & pack  them  as  soon  as  the  season  will  admit,  & being  thus  held 
in  readiness  they  can  be  put  on  board  the  first  vessel  from  Appomattox 
or  James  river  for  Havre  addressed  to  Mons^  Limozin  merchant  at  that 
place  for  me,  & ‘in  case  of  my  absence  for  Madame  la  Comtesse  de  Tesse 
4 Paris.’  the  latter  precaution  is  necessary  lest  I should  be  absent.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(List  inclosed  in  letter  to  J.  Banister,  Jr.,  Aug.  9,  1788.) 

Quercus  rubra  maxima,  large  red  oak. 

Quercus  rubra  ramosissima.  Branchy  red  oak. 

Quercus  rubra  nana.  Dwarf  red  oak. 

do  we  know  these  kinds  of  red  oak  in  Virginia? 
is  the  last  of  the  three  what  we  call  Ground  oak? 

Quercus  Fhellos,  willow  oak.  the  several  varieties. 

Chinquapin. 

Stewartia  melacodendron.  Soft  wood.  See  Millar’s  diction- 
ary & Catesby’s  Carolina  Appendix  13. 

Populus  hetcrophylla.  a kind  of  Poplar  described  in  Catesby’s 
[illegible]  34.  & in  Millar’s  diet.  Populus.  5. 

Populus  [illegible]  it  is  called  Black  poplar,  [illegible],  see 
Millar.  Pinus.  14. 

Annona  glabra,  the  Common  Papaw  of  Virginia. 

Andromeda  arborea.  Catesby  Appendix.  17.  calls  this  the 
Sorrel  tree. 

Andromeda  plumata.  I do  not  know  what  this  is. 

Laurus  nova  9.  I do  not  know  what  this  is. 

Laurus  estivalis.  Summer  bay,  a.  Catesby  a8.  Millar.  Laurus. 

8. 

Callicarpa  Americana,  a,  Catesby  47. 

Gardenia  or  Fothergilla. 

t Pinus  picea.  Black  pine  or  Pitch  pine. 

Cupressus  disticha.  Cypress. 

Liriodendron  tulipifera.  Common  Poplar. 

Diospyros.  Persimmon,  send  the  seeds.  I think  they  will 
come  best  in  the  fruit, 

(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan.) 

Paris  Aug.  13.  1788. 

. . , when  the  nurseryman  to  whom  you  have  been  so  good  as  to 
employ  to  prepare  the  olives  & olive  plants  to  be  sent  to  Charleston,  shall 
be  executing  that  Commission,  I shall  be  glad  if  he  will  at  the  same  time 
prepare  a few  plants  only  of  the  following  kinds: 


1788] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


14I 


Figs,  the  best  kind  for  drying,  a few  plants, 

Raisins,  d". 

Cork  Trees,  a few  plants. 

Pistaches)  ^ 

Capers  \ 

{Jefferson  Manuscript^  L.  C.) 
(Jefferson  to  Francis  Hopkinson.) 

Paris,  December  ai,  1788. 

...  I received  letters  from  Marseilles  this  morning  informing  me  the 
winter  is  more  severe  there  than  it  was  in  1709,  when  they  lost  all  their 
olive  trees.  They  apprehend  the  same  calamity  now;  and  it  will  take 
twenty  years  to  replace  them.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  19 : 
51-Sa.) 

From  the  Account  Book  lyS^-i^go: 

Jan.  7.  p^  portage  from  Marseilles,  viz.  of  rice  etc.  84II. 

July  12.  rec".  from  M.  Petrie  726I1  on  a bill  of  Brailsford  and  Morris 
sent  to  me  on  account  of  the  Agricultural  society  of  S.  Caro- 
lina to  be  employed  in  sending  them  olive  trees. 


1789 

1789*  This  year  marked  the  end  of  Jefferson’s  stay  in 
Europe.  The  preceding  year  Jefferson  had  asked  Congress 
for  a leave  of  absence,  but  when  he  did  not  receive  a favorable 
reply,  he  wrote  directly  to  General  Washington,  urging  him  to 
grant  his  leave.  This  General  Washington  did  in  June,  but 
Jefferson  did  not  receive  confirmation  of  it  until  the  end  of 
August.  He  left  Paris  on  September  26,  for  Havre,  arriving 
there  on  the  28  th.  He  was  detained  in  Havre  until  October 
8,  when  he  went  by  packet  to  Cowes,  where  he  and  his  two 
daughters  boarded  the  Clermont  for  Norfolk,  Virginia. 
They  arrived  in  Virginia  on  November  23,  and  after  a lei- 
surely visit  with  relatives  and  friends  along  the  route,  reached 
Monticello  on  December  24. 

While  stopping  a few  days  at  Eppington,  the  home  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Francis  Eppes,  he  wrote  the  following  to  a friend : 
“Tomorrow  I go  on  with  Mr.  Skipwith  to  his  house,  and  then 
plunge  into  the  Forests  of  Albemarle.”  (Letter  written  to 
William  Short,  December  14,  1789,  from  Eppington^  Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 

Jefferson  and  his  daughters  had  been  absent  from  Monti- 
cello for  almost  seven  years.  Jefferson  returned  to  it  with- 
mingled  feelings  of  joy  and  sadness,  for  he  bad  lived  at  Monti- 
cello only  a few  months  since  Mrs.  Jefferson's  death.  Still,  to 
see  his  mountaintop  again,  brought  a new  light  into  his  life. 

This  year,  as  in  other  years  of  Jefferson’s  stay  in  Paris,  he 
continued  his  correspondence  with  friends  and  agents  about 
plants,  especially  about  rice  and  olives.  One  of  his  chief  in- 
terests during  the  last  months  of  his  stay  in  France  was  to 
secure  the  seeds  of  3 dry  rice,  a variety  of  rice  that  would 
grow  on  the  uplands,  where  a constant  supply  of  water  was 
not  available. 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 


142 


1789] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


143 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1789 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Paris,  January  12,  1789. 

...  I have  just  received  the  Flora  Caroliniana  of  Walter,  a very 
learned  and  good  work.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  7:  270.) 

(Jefferson  to  Monsieur  de  Malesherbes.) 

Paris  March  n.  1789. 

Your  zeal  to  promote  the  general  good  of  mankind  by  an  interchange 
of  useful  things,  and  particularly  in  the  line  of  agriculture,  and  the 
weight  which  your  rank  and  station  would  give  to  your  interposition, 
induce  me  to  ask  it  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  one  of  the  species  of 
rice  which  grows  in  Cochin-China  on  high  lands,  and  which  needs  no 
other  watering  than  the  ordinary  rains,  the  sun  and  soil  of  Carolina 
are  sufficiently  powerful  to  ensure  success  of  this  plant,  and  Monsieur 
de  Poivre  gives  such  an  account  of  it’s  quality  as  might  induce  the  Caro- 
linians to  introduce  it  instead  of  the  kind  they  now  possess,  which  requir- 
ing the  whole  country  to  be  laid  under  water  during  a certain  season  of 
the  year,  sweeps  off  numbers  of  the  inhabitants  annually  with  pestilential 
fevers.  If  you  would  be  so  good  as  to  interest  yourself  in  the  procuring 
for  me  some  seeds  of  the  dry-rice  of  Cochin-China  you  would  render  the 
most  precious  service  to  my  countrymen  on  whose  behalf  I take  the 
liberty  of  asking  your  interposition.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Benjamin  Vaughan  to  Jefferson.) 

London,  Mar.  26,  1789. 

I have  the  honor  to  send  you  by  this  conveyance  three  sorts  of  dry 
rice  seed. 

1.  Padee  Coccos  ballam;  the  finest  sort,  ) 

2.  Padee  Laye ; the  best  for  a crop  I-  from  Sumatra 

3.  Padee  Undallan;  the  ordinary  sort  . . .] 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Drayton.) 

Paris  May  7.  1789. 

...  1 own  to  you  that  I have  exceedingly  at  heart  the  introduction 
of  this  tree  [olive  tree]  into  Carolina  & Georgia  being  convinced  it  is 
one  of  the  most  precious  productions  of  nature  and  contributes  the  most 
to  the  happiness  of  mankind.  . - . Plants  sent  by  Mr.  Cathalan: 

44  figuiers,  de  3.  especes.  (The  Marseilles-fig  is  admitted  to 
be  the  best  in  the  world) 


144 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1789 


43  pieces  de  vigne  (I  ordered  the  Muscat  of  which  the  dried 
raisens  are  made.) 

16.  prunieres  (I  ordered  the  plumb  called  Brugnol  for  drying. 

I presume  this  is  it.) 

12.  poirieres  ^ 


12.  pecheres 
10.  pommiers 
12.  abriestiers 


Some  of  these  may  prove  agreeable  additions 
to  the  species  you  possess. 

.4.  juries  Lier»j 

4.  Meuriers  feuillie  a la  seine  (the  best  kind  for  the  silk 
worm) 

3.  pistachieres.  Ordered  merely  for  experiment. 

(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Vaughan.) 

Paris  May  17.  1789. 

I . . . return  you  abundant  thanks  lor  your  attention  to  the  article  of 
Dry  rice,  and  the  parcel  of  seeds  you  sent  me.  Ais  is  interesting,  be- 
cause even  should  it  not  take  place  of  the  wet  rice  in  S,  Carolina,  it 
will  enable  us  to  cultivate  this  grain  in  Virginia,  where  we  have  not 
lands  disposed  for  the  wet  rice.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan.) 

Paris  July  27.  1789. 

...  I have  not  seen  the  gardener  who  you  said  you  should  employ  to 
complete  the  Commission  from  South  Carolina,  and  who  was  to  come  to 
Paris.  I must  interest  your  friendly  & exact  attention  to  the  sending  of 
the  articles  to  Charleston  this  fall,  and  let  the  olive  plants,  & olive  seeds 
be  considered  as  the  important  object,  sending  but  little  of  the  other 
articles  before  noted  to  you.  I could  wish  one  half  to  be  sent  from 
Marseilles  by  sea  for  Charleston  directly,  the  other  half  thro’  the  canal 
of  Languedoc  to  Bordeaux  to  the  care  of  mr  John  Bondfield  there ; un- 
less there  should  happen  two  vessels  bound  from  Marseilles  to  Charles- 
ton, which  would  give  an  equal  opportunity  of  dividing  the  risk  between 
two  different  conveyances,  & would  be  preferable  to  the  sending  any 
part  through  the  canal.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Vaughan.) 

Paris  Sept,  13,  1789. 

I am  still  to  thank  you  for  the  grains  of  dry  rice,  the  copy  of  the  corn 
report,  and  N*  of  the  repository,  the  latter  I gave  to  mr  Stuart  ac- 
cording to  your  desire,  as  I had  one  before,  should  the  age  of  the  rice 
have  destroyed  it’s  vegetative  prindple,  I shall  still  hope,  from  the  other 
resources  you  have  been  so  good  as  to  apply  to,  as  well  as  the  measures  I 
have  taken  & shall  still  take  myself  that  I may  get  the  seed  somewhere, 
. . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


1789] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


145 


(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Ralph  Izard.) 

Paris  Sept.  18,  1789. 

...  I wish  the  cargo  of  olives  spoken  of  in  the  inclosed  letter,  & 
which  went  to  Baltimore,  may  have  got  on  safe  to  Carolina,  & that  the 
one  he  is  about  to  send  may  also  arrive  safe.  This  my  dear  friend 
should  be  the  object  of  the  Carolina  patriot.  After  bread,  I know  no 
blessing  to  the  poor,  in  this  world,  equal  to  that  of  oil.  But  there 
should  be  an  annual  sum  steadily  applied  to  that  object:  because  a first 
and  second  essay  may  fail.  The  plants  cost  little;  the  transportation 
little.  It  is  unremitting  attention  which  is  requisite.  A common  coun- 
try labourer  whose  business  it  should  be  to  prepare  and  pack  his  plants 
at  Marseilles  & to  go  with  them  through  the  canal  of  Languedoc  to 
Bordeaux  and  there  stay  with  them  till  put  on  board  a ship  to  Charles- 
ton, & to  send  at  the  same  time  great  quantities  of  the  berries  to  sow  for 
stocks,  would  require  but  a moderate  annual  sum.  He  would  make  the 
journey  every  fall  only,  till  you  should  have  such  a stock  of  plants  taken 
in  the  country,  as  to  render  you  sure  of  success.  But  of  this  too  we  will 
talk  on  meeting.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  15-16.) 

(Jefferson  to  E.  Rutledge.) 

Paris,  September  18,  1789. 

...  I have  obtained  from  different  quarters  seeds  of  the  dry  rice; 
but  having  had  time  to  try  them,  I find  they  will  not  vegetate,  having 
been  too  long  kept.  I have  still  several  other  expectations  from  the  East 
Indies.  If  this  rice  be  as  good,  the  object  of  health  will  render  it  worth 
experiment  with  you.  Cotton  is  a precious  resource,  and  which  cannot 
fail  with  you.  I wish  the  cargo  of  olive  plants  sent  by  the  way  of  Balti- 
more, and  that  which  you  will  perceive  my  correspondent  is  preparing 
now  to  send,  may  arrive  to  you  in  good  order.  This  is  the  object  for 
the  patriots  of  your  country;  for  that  tree  once  established  there,  will  be 
the  source  of  the  greatest  wealth  and  happiness.  But  to  insure  success, 
perseverance  may  be  necessary.  An  essay  or  two  may  fail.  I think, 
therefore,  that  an  annual  sum  should  be  subscribed,  and  it  need  not  be  a 
great  one.  A common  country  laborer  should  be  engaged  to  make  it  his 
sole  occupation,  to  prepare  and  pack  plants  and  berries  at  Marseilles,  and 
in  the  autumn  to  go  with  them  himself  through  the  canal  of  Languedoc 
to  Bordeaux,  and  there  to  stay  with  them. till  he  can  put  them  on  board 
a vessel  bound  directly  for  Charleston;  and  this  repeated  annually,  till 
you  have  a sufficient  stock  insured,  to  propagate  from  without  further 
importation.  I should  guess  that  fifty  guineas  a year  would  do  this, 
and  if  you  think  proper  to  set  such  a subscription  afoot,  write  me  down 
for  ten  guineas  of  money,  yearly,  during  my  stay  in  France,  and  offer 
my  superintendence  of  the  business  on  this  side  the  water,  if  no  better 
can  be  had.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  7:  465-466.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1789 


146 


(Benjamin  Hawkins  to  Jefferson.) 

Warrenton,  N.  C.,  Oct,  6,  1789. 

I have  never  had  It  in  my  power,  until  now,  to  procure  for  you  the 
seed  of  the  Dionaea  muscipula.  The  gentlemen  who  had  promised  to 
get  some  for  me  had  been  too  late  both  years  in  their  endeavors.  This 
year  on  my  return  from  Wilmington,  I discovered  it  was  in  bloom  on 
the  b***  of  June,  pointed  it  out  to  a farmer  who  knew  it  well  and  at  my 
request  he  some  days  past  sent  the  seed  which  I enclose.  I could  not  dis- 
cover any  of  the  plants  farther  north  than  about  Lat.  35-30'  They 
grow  in  piny  moist  lands,  and  appeared  to  grow  best  when  somewhat 
shaded.  I have  some  plants  which  1 brought  with  me  in  a box  having 
carefully  taken  up  the  dirt  with  the  roots ; I put  them  in  a part  of  my 
garden  exposed  to  the  sun  all  day  and  buried  the  box  level  with  the 
surface  of  the  earth,  after  a drought  of  near  four  weeks  they  appeared 
quite  dead,  the  box  was  then  taken  up  and  accidently  left  under  a pear 
tree.  The  weather  being  seasonable  one  third  of  them  put  forth  leaves, 
and  there  they  remain  ever  since. 

I am  to  have  some  more  of  the  seed  sent  to  me  in  November.  I will 
then  enclose  you  a further  supply.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

The  following  list  of  plants  was  requested  of  Jefferson  on 
the  eve  of  his  departure  for  America  (1789)  by  la  comtesse 
d’Houdetot.  The  names  in  italic  written  on  both  margins  are 
in  Jefferson’s  hand. 


Liste  des  arbres  et  arbustes  d’Amerique 
que  demande  M""  la  C*"®  d'Houdetot. 


Gladitsia 

Attdrom.  polufolia 

M^rka  cerifera 
Bignonia  semperv. 
Azalea  pudiss. 


Acer  rubra 


Magn.  grandifl. 
Papulus  bahamifera 
Plaianus  oceideniatis 
Gaiyc. 

Pt.  trifoliata 


Accacia  triacantos  ou  [ ] d’Amerique. 

Amandier  d’Amerique. 

Andromeda  Polifolia, 

Arhre  dc  cire. 

Bignognia  ou  jasmin  de  Virginie. 

Chevrefeuillc  de  Virginie  Lorkera  \==Loni- 

cera'\  Py. 

Chevrefeuillc  du  nord  de  I’Amerique. 

Cletra  major  Not  in  America. 

Epine  a bouquet  Astragalus  tragacantha. 

Erable  de  Virginie  a Jlcurs  rouge. 

Framboisier  de  Canada  Rubus  Canadensis. 
Glauca 

Laurier  tulipier  ou  Magnolia  granda  flora. 
Peuplier  beaumier  dc  Virginie  ou  dc  la  Caroline. 
Platane  de  Virginie. 

Pompadoura  Calycanthus  floridus. 

Ptflea. 

Arbre  d’or  du  Canada  Rhododendron.  Maz  4. 


1789] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


147 


Laur,  sassafr.  Sassafras. 

Liriod  Tulipier  de  Virginie  ou  Loriendendron. 

Tulipif.  Tuliper  fcra. 

Mde  d’Houdetot. 

(Gilbert  Chinard,  Les  Amities  americaines  de  Madame  d’Houdetoi 
(Paris,  19*4) ; 49-50O 

From  the  Account  Book  1783-17^0: 

May  II,  p*  Petit  for  Abbema  k co.  by  order  of  Cathalan  132®. 
Note  this  paitnent  to  Abbema  is  for  mf  Drayton  of  S.  Carolina  for 
trees  to  be  credited  against  the  726^  rec*.  by  me  July  12.  1789.  for  the 
Agricultural  society  of  S.  Carolina. 

July  1.  p‘  Fraser  for  2.  quarts  grass  seed  96°, 


1790 


1790." 

March,  a cold  wind  in  this  month  killed  all  the  peaches 
at  Monticello.  the  other  species  of  fruits 
escaped  tolerably  well. 

Octob.  in  making  the  road  from  where  it  begins  to  rise 
i.f.  in  10.  a little  above  the  negro  houses,  up  to 
the  upper  roundabout  in  front  of  the  house 
(N.E.)  5.  hands  did  127.  yds  the  i“.  day  and 
165.  yds  the  second,  it  was  I2.f.  wide,  and 
they  crossed  three  or  four  considerable  gullies 
which  they  filled  up  with  stone.* 

* lygo.  Soon  after  Jefferson  arrived  in  America  from 
France,  he  was  invited  by  President  Washington  to  become 
Secretary  of  State  in  his  new  Cabinet.  After  much  delibera- 
tion he  accepted.  He  left  Monticello  on  March  i,  for  New 
York,  the  seat  of  the  government  at  that  time,  and  was  there 
until  September  i ; he  was  back  at  home  by  September  1 9. 
His  stay  at  Monticello  was  a busy  one  because  he  had  to  at- 
tend to  his  long  neglected  private  affairs  and  set  his  mountain- 
top  in  order.  He  left  Monticello  again  on  November  8,  for 
Philadelphia,  now  the  new  seat  of  the  federal  government. 

The  most  important  event  to  affect  Jefferson’s  life  at  Montu 
cello  during  the  year,  other  than  that  of  becoming  Secretary 
of  State,  was  the  marriage  of  his  daughter,  Martha,  to  her 
second  cousin,  Thomas  Mann  Randolph,  of  Tuckahoe.  (For 
biographical  data,  see  p.  398,  note  23.) 

There  is  no  record  in  the  Account  Book  for  the  year  or  in 
the  Garden  Book  about  garden  activities  at  Monticello  dur- 
ing  1790.  The  two  entries  in  the  Garden  Book  are  about 

148 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1790] 


149 


other  matters.  Jefferson  continued  to  write  to  friends  about 
rice  and  olives,  and  continued  to  exchange  plants  with  them  at 
home  and  across  the  ocean.  It  is  in  these  letters  that  we  get 
additional  glimpses  of  Jefferson’s  interest  In  plants  and  learn 
what  plants  he  sent  to  Monticello. 

While  In  Richmond  in  March,  on  his  way  to  New  York,  he 
drew  up  the  following  agreement  with  Nicholas  Lewis  to 
serve  as  his  attorney  during  his  absence  from  Albemarle ; 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I Thomas  Jefferson  of  Monti- 
cello in  the  county  of  Albemarle  & Commonwealth  of  Virginia  do  . . . 
constitute  & appoint  Col®  Nicholas  Lewis  of  Albemarle  my  attorney 
during  my  absence  from  s*  Commonwealth.  Mar.  7.  1790, 

And  on  the  same  day  he  wrote  to  Thomas  Garth,  also  of  Albe- 
marle, that  in  case  of  Mr.  Lewis*  death  he  was  to  take  charge. 
(Letter  and  agreement  in  Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Randolph  stayed  at  Monticello  during  the 
spring,  but  whether  Mr.  Randolph  acted  as  his  agent  is  not 
clear.  Probably  Mr.  Lewis  attended  to  all  matters  of  the 
estate. 

* Jefferson  also  recorded  this  entry  in  another  form  in  the 
Farm  Book: 

1790.  Oct.  in  making  the  road  from  where  it  begins  to  rise  1.  f.  in  10. 
a little  above  the  Antient  field  to  the  upper  Roundabout,  5 hands  did 
127.  yds.  the  first  day,  & 165.  yds  the  second,  = 25  to  33  yds.  a day.  it 
was  12.  f.  wide  & they  crossed  3.  or  4.  considerable  gullies  which  they 
filled  with  stone.  [See  plate  XXII.] 


Letters  and  Extracts  op  Letters,  1790 

(Jefferson  to  his  brother  Randolph  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  Feb.  28.  1790 

. . . I will  give  the  orders  you  desire  to  George,  relative  to  peach  stones. 
I send  you  by  Orange  some  very  fine  Apricot  & Plumb  stones  to  be 
planted  immediately  & to  be  cracked  before  they  are  planted.  . . . {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Countess  de  Tesse.) 

Alexandria.  March  ii.  1790 

Being  here  on  my  way  from  Monticello  to  New  York  and  learn^ 
that  there  is  a vessel  here  bound  to  France,  I cannot  omit  the  opportunity 
of  informing  you  of  my  proceedinp  in  the  execution  of  your  botanieJ 
commission.  I arrived  at  home  about  the  end  of  the  old  year,  the  first 
days  of  the  new  were  taken  up  in  receiving  visits  from  my  neighbors  & 


150 


Jbffkrson’s  Garden  Book 


[*790 


friends,  so  that  before  I could  possibly  attend  either  to  your  business  or 
my  own  there  came  on  a frost  which  rendered  it  impossible  to  take  a 
plant  out  of  the  earth  till  the  middle  of  February,  from  the  first 
moment  of  the  thaw  till  the  last  day  of  February  I had  persons  employed 
in  collecting  the  plants  you  had  desired ; & on  that  day  1 attended  myself 
to  the  padking  of  them,  they  are  as  follows : 


No.  1.  Nyssa  aquatics. 

2.  Magnolia  tripetala. 

3.  Liriodendron. 

4.  Kalmia  latifolia. 

5.  Juniperus  Virginians. 

6.  Gleditsia  triacanthos. 

7.  Laurus  Sassafras. 

8.  Prunus  Coronaria. 

9.  Diospyros  Virginiana. 


10.  Cornus  florida, 

11.  Juglans  nigra. 

12.  Quercus  Phellos,  both 
plants  & acorns. 

13.  Quercus  pumila. 

14.  Magnolia  glauca. 

15.  Acer  Tubrum. 

16.  CalycanthuB  floridus. 


the  plants  were  young,  in  most  perfect  condition,  & well  packed  in  fresh 
moss,  and  over  every  layer  of  plants  is  a stick  numbered  as  above,  going 
across  the  plants  and  indicating  what  those  are  which  are  next  under  the 
stick,  you  will  find  the  highest  numbers  uppermost,  because  we  begun 
with  N°.  I,  at  the  bottom.  I carried  the  box  with  me  to  Richmond  & 
there  desired  a friend  to  send  it  to  Norfolk  to  his  correspondent  with 
orders  to  ship  it  by  the  first  ship  sailing  to  Havre  or  Dunkirk.  I now 
write  to  Mons'.  Lamotte  of  Havre  Sc  mr  Coffin  of  Dunkirk  to  receive 
& forward  the  box  to  you  at  Paris  by  a waggon,  after  all  I lament 
that  this  commission  could  not  have  been  sooner  executed  and  that  it  is 
still  liable  to  further  delay  should  there  be  no  vessel  going  immediately 
to  France,  but  it  shall  be  followed  by  another  containing  the  same 
things  in  the  fall.  I should  have  observed  that  1 had  ordered  a dozen 
of  each  kind  of  plant  but  as  they  got  more  of  some  of  them  in  order  to 
chuse  the  best,  I thought  the  best  was  to  put  them  all  in.  so  you  will 
find  from  12  to  ao  of  every  kind.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Francis  Coffyn.) 

Virginia  March  ir.  1790. 

I have  sent  to  Norfolk  to  be  forwarded  by  the  first  vessel  to  Havre  or 
Ostend  a box  of  plants  addressed  to  'Madame  la  Comtesse  de  Tesse  a 
Paris.’  should  they  come  to  your  port,  I beg  you  to  receive  & forward 
them  to  their  address  by  some  of  the  Tourgons  which  go  from  thence  to 
Paris,  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

New  York,  May  30,  1790. 

...  I have,  therefore,  to  answer  your  two  favors  of  April  23  and 
May  3,  and  in  the  first  place  to  thank  you  for  your  attention  to  die 
Paccan,  Gloucester  and  European  walnuts,  which  will  be  great  acqui- 
sitions at  Monticello,  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  8:  29.) 


1790] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


151 


(Jefferson  to  George  Wythe.) 

New  York  June  13.  1790. 

...  I enclose  a few  seeds  of  high-land  rice  which  was  gathered  last 
autumn  in  the  East  Indies,  if  well  attended  to,  it  may  not  be  too  late 
to  sow  & mature  it  after  you  shall  receive  it.  I have  sowed  a few  seeds 
in  earthen  pots,  it  is  a most  precious  thing  if  we  can  save  it.  . . . {Jef- 
ferson Papers j L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Nicholas  Lewis.) 

New  York  June  13.  1790. 

...  I enclose  a few  grains  of  high-land  rice  which  I received  yester- 
day from  England,  & was  gathered  in  the  East  Indies  last  f^l.  it  may 
perhaps  yet  ripen  in  Virginia  tho’  very  late.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 

L.  C.) 

i 

(Jefferson  to  Maria  Jefferson.) 

New  York,  June  13th,  1790. 

, . , We  had  not  peas  nor  strawberries  here  till  the  8th  day  of  this 
month.  On  the  same  day  I heard  the  first  whip-poor-will  whistle. 
Swallows  and  martins  appeared  here  on  the  a 1st  of  April.  When  did 
they  appear  with  you?  and  when  had  you  peas,  strawberries,  and  whip- 
poor-wills  in  Virginia?  Take  notice  hereafter  whether  the  whip-poor- 
wills  always  come  with  the  strawberries  and  peas.  . . . (Sarah  N.  Ran- 
dolph, The  DomeHic  Life  of  Thomas  Jefferson  (New  York,  1871): 
185.  Hereafter  cited  as  Randolph,  Jefferson.) 

(Maria  Jefferson  to  Jefferson.) 

Eppington, , 1790. 

. . . We  had  peas  the  loth  of  May,  and  strawberries  the  17th  of  the 
same  month,  though  not  in  that  abundance  we  are  accustomed  to,  in 
consequence  of  a frost  this  spring.  As  for  the  martins,  swallows,  and 
whip-poor-wills,  I was  so  taken  up  with  my  chickens  that  I never  at- 
tended to  them,  and  therefore  cannot  tell  you  when  they  came,  though  I 
was  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  half  of  them  (the  chickens),  for  my  cousin 
Bolling  and  myself  have  raised  but  thirteen  between  us.  . . . (Ran- 
dolph, Jefferson,  186-187.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Vaughan.) 

New  York  June  27.  1790. 

Your  favor  of  March  27.  came  duly  to  hand  on  the  12“*  inst.  as  did 
your  very  valuable  present  of  the  dry  rice  brought  from  the  Moluccas 
by  Lieut.  Bligh.  I immediately  sent  a few  seeds  to  Virginia  where  I am 
in  hopes  there  would  still  be  force  of  summer  sufficient  to  mature  it.  ^ I 
reserve  a little  for  next  spring  besides  sowing  some  in  pots,  from  which 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i790 

I have  now  23.  young  plants  just  come  up.  I fear  however  there  is  not 
summer  enough  remaining  here  to  ripen  them  without  the  uncertain  aid 
of  a hot-house,  upon  your  encouragement  I think  I shall  venture  to 
write  to  Mr.  Hinton  Este  of  Jamaica  on  the  subject. 

Though  large  countries  within  our  union  are  covered  with  the  Sugar 
maple  as  heavily  as  can  be  conceived,  and  that  this  tree  yields  a sugar 
equal  to  the  best  from  cane,  yields  it  in  great  quantity,  with  no  other 
labor  than  what  the  women  & girls  can  bestow,  who  attend  to  the  draw- 
ing off  & boiling  the  liquor,  & the  trees  when  skillfully  tapped  will  last 
a great  number  of  years,  yet  the  ease  with  which  we  had  formerly  got 
cane  sugar,  had  prevented  our  attending  to  this  resource,  late  difficul- 
ties in  the  sugar  trade  have  excited  attention  to  our  sugar  trees,  and  it 
seems  fully  believed  by  judicious  persons,  that  we  can  not  only  supply 
our  own  demand,  but  make  for  exportation.  I will  send  you  a sample 
of  it  if  I can  find  a conveyance  without  possessing  it  through  the  ex- 
pensive one  of  the  post,  what  a blessing  to  substitute  a sugar  which  re- 
quires only  the  labour  of  children,  for  that  which  it  is  said  renders  the 
slavery  of  the  blacks  necessary.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Nicholas  Lewis.) 

New  York  July  4,  1790. 

...  1 cannot,  therefore,  my  dear  Sir,  omit  to  press,  for  myself,  the 
going  into  that  culture  [of  wheat]  as  much  as  you  think  practicable.  In 
Albemarle,  I presume  we  may  lay  aside  tobacco  entirely ; and  in  Bedford, 
the  more  we  can  lay  it  aside  the  happier  I shall  be.  . . . It  is  vastly  de- 
sirable to  be  getting  under  way  with  our  domestic  cultivation  & manu- 
facture of  hemp,  flax,  cotton  & Wool  for  the  negroes.  (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  8:  58-59.) 

(Jefferson  to  Maria  Jefferson.) 

New  York,  July  4th,  1790. 

. . . How  many  chickens  have  you  raised  this  summer?  . . . Tell  me 
what  sort  of  weather  you  have  had,  what  sort  of  crops  are  likely  to  be 
made.  . . . (Randolph,  Jefferson,  185—186.) 

(Jefferson  to  A.  Donald.) 

New  York  Aug.  39.  1 790. 

. . . Our  crops  of  wheat  are  good  in  quantity  & quality,  & those  of 
corn  very  promising,  so  far  also  this  (I  hope  our  last)  crop  of  tobacco 
looks  well,  little  will  be  done  in  that  way  the  next  year,  & less  and  less 
every  year  after.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan.) 

Philadelphia  Sept.  7.  1790. 

. . , The  object  of  the  present  is  merely  to  enquire  into  the  execution 
of  the  commission  for  sending  olives  Ic  olive  trees  to  Charleston,  of  this 


1790]  JiiFiurson's  Garden  Book 

I have  heard  nothing  from  >ou  since  I left  France;  nor  anything  very 
particular  from  Charleston,  the  gentlemen  from  that  state  only  saying 
to  me  in  general  that  they  have  not  heard  that  any  were  arrived,  if 
they  be  not  already  sent  to  the  amount  foimerly  desired,  I must  beg  of 
you  my  dear  Sir,  to  have  it  done  in  such  season,  and  by  such  conveyance 
as  will  promise  the  best  success,  the  money  for  the  purpose  tvill  be 
furnished  by  Mr.  Short  at  Paris,  & I feel  myself  bound  in  point  of 
honour  to  have  this  object  effectually  fulfilled  for  the  persons  who  have 
confided  it’s  execution  to  me.  be  so  good  as  to  inform  me  by  a line 
(sent  through  Mr.  Short)  what  is  done,  and  what  shall  be  done.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Samuel  Vaughan,  Jr.,  to  Jefferson.) 

St.  James’s  Jamaica  4 OcP.  1790. 

Sir,  My  father  lately  sent  me  a Note  of  your’s  requesting  some  seeds  of 
the  Mountain  Rice.  I am  sorry  I cannot  accommodate  you  as  you 
would  wish,  but  I do  what  I can  by  sending  you  40  Seeds  by  two  differ- 
ent opportunities.  Inclosed  is  20  of  them.  In  the  Middle  Parts  of 
Hispaniola  it  is  in  great  plenty,  and  I had  a promise  of  a Barrels.  A 
scarcity  of  Provisions  first,  and  then  the  Disturbances  have  disappointed 
me  in  my  Expectations.  If  ever  they  are  sent  I shall  amply  supply  you. 

The  seeds  I have  at  present  came  from  the  Island  of  Timor  in  the 
East  Indies,  brought  by  the  unfortunate  Capt.  Bligh.  I had  near  200 
of  them  thro  my  Brother  from  Sir  Joseph  Banks : I have  given  them  in 
small  Parcels  to  the  Mountain  settlers  and  have  the  pleasure  to  find  it 
succeeds  both  with  them  and  myself  remarkably  well.  . . , 

[Enclosure] 

Directions  to  be  observed  with  the  Mountain  Rice 

It  is  to  be  sown  like  Indian  Corn,  three  Seeds  in  a Hole.  In  the  East 
they  do  not  cover  the  Holes  with  Earth  but  leave  them  exposed.  If  they 
are  covered  it  should  be  very  lightly.  They  should  be  sown  in  spring  as 
they  do  not  bear  the  winter — or  in  a Hothouse.  The  Plants  may  be 
transplanted  & separated  & planted  at  greater  distances  when  young. 
Great  Care  must  be  taken  to  prevent  Fowls  getting  at  it  when  ripe. 
New  Land  is  the  best  for  it,  but  it  succeeds  here  in  Jamaica  on  Ridges 
and  in  Glades.  It  will  not  live  under  Water.  (Worthington  Chauncey 
Ford,  ed.,  Thomas  Jefferson  Correspondence  (Boston,  1916):  44-45. 
Hereafter  cited  as  Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Georgetown,  Nov.  12.  1790. 

I inclose  you  some  wheat  which  the  President  assures  me  from  many 
years  experience  to  be  the  best  kind  he  has  ever  seen,  he  spread  it 
through  the  Eastern  shore  of  Maryland  several  years  ago,  and  it  has 
ever  been  considered  as  the  best  of  the  white  wheat  of  that  state  so  much 


154 


JsPFBRSON’a  Gakqek  Book 


[1790 


celebrated,  it  is  said  to  weigh  62.  63.  64  to  the  bushel,  the  grain, 
tho’  small,  is  always  plump,  the  President  is  so  excellent  a farmer  that 
I place  full  confidence  in  his  recommendation,  will  you  be  so  good  as 
to  make  George  (under  your  directions  & eye)  set  it  out  in  distinct  holes 
at  proper  distances  so  as  to  make  the  most  seed  from  it  possible?  the 
richest  ground  in  the  garden  will  be  best,  and  the  partition  fence  they 
are  to  make  will  guard  it.  after  harvest  we  will  divide  the  produce. 
I imagine  the  rows  should  be  far  enough  apart  to  admit  them  to  go  be* 
tween  them  with  the  hoes  for  the  purpose  of  weeding.  {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Nov.  33.  1790. 

...  I believe  I asked  your  attention  to  the  upland  rice.  I have  re- 
ceived a few  more  grains  of  that  of  the  Moluccas  from  mr  Samuel 
Vaughan  of  Jamaica,  with  a note  of  which  the  enclosed  is  a copy.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  B.  Cutting.) 

Philadelphia  Nov.  26.  1790. 

. . . The  cask  of  mountain  rice  came  also  safely*  for  which  precious 
present  accept  my  grateful  thanb.  1 have  already  distributed  it  into  so 
many  hands  as  to  ensure  a fair  experiment  whether  it  may  not  be  raised 
in  the  lands  and  climates  of  the  middle  states  and  so  render  it  useless  to 
poison  the  air  with  those  inundations  which  sweep  oft  annually  so  many 
of  our  fellow-creatures.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Samuel  Vaughan,  Jr.) 

Philadelphia  Nov.  27.  1790. 

We  have  lately  had  introduced  a plant  of  the  melon  species  which 
from  it's  external  resemblance  to  the  pumpkin,  we  have  called  a pumpkin, 
distinguishing  it  specifically  as  the  potatoe-pumpkin,  on  account  of  the 
extreme  resemblance  of  its  taste  to  that  of  the  sweet-potatoe.  it  is  as 
yet  but  little  known,  is  well  esteemed  at  our  tables,  and  particularly 
valued  by  our  negroes,  coming  much  earlier  than  the  real  potatoe,  we 
are  so  much  the  sooner  furnished  with  a substitute  for  that  root.  I 
know  not  from  whence  it  came;  so  that  perhaps  it  may  be  originally 
from  your  islands,  in  that  case  you  will  only  have  the  trouble  of 
throwing  away  the  few  seeds  I enclose  you  herewith,  on  the  other  hand, 
if  unknown  to  you,  I think  it  will  probably  succeed  in  the  islands,  and 
may  add  to  the  catalogue  of  plants  which  will  do  as  substitutes  for  bread. 
1 have  always  thought  that  if  in  the  experiments  to  introduce  or  to  com- 
municate nw  plants,  one  species  in  a hundred  is  found  useful  and  suc- 
ceeds, the  nine^  nine  found  otherwise  are  more  than  paid  for. 


i79o]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  Ijfj 

My  present  situation  and  occupations  are  not  friendly  to  Agricultural 
experiments,  however  strongly  I am  led  to  them  by  inclination,  but 
whenever  I shall  be  more  free  to  indulge  that  inclination  I will  ask  per- 
mission to  address  your  quarter,  freely  offering  you  reciprocal  services  in 
the  same  or  any  other  line  in  which  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  command 
them.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  h.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Dec.  i6.  1790. 

...  I send  herewith  some  seeds  which  I must  trouble  you  with  the 
care  of.  they  are  the  seeds  of  the  Sugar  maple  and  the  Paccan  nuts, 
be  so  good  as  to  make  George  prepare  a nursery  in  a proper  place  and  to 
plant  in  it  the  Paccan  nuts  immediately,  and  the  maple  seeds  at  a proper 
season,  mf.  Lewis  must  be  so  good  as  to  have  it  so  inclosed  as  to  keep 
the  horses  out.  there  is  also  in  the  same  tin  box  some  seeds  of  the 
Cypress  vine  for  Patsy.  (Jefferson  Papers.  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  Dec.  23d,  1790 

. . . Perhaps  you  think  you  have  nothing  to  say  to  me.  It  is  a great 
deal  to  say  you  are  all  well ; or  that  one  has  a cold,  another  a fever, 
etc. : besides  that,  there  is  not  a sprig  of  grass  that  shoots  uninteresting 
to  me.  . . . (Randolph,  Jefferson:  192.) 

From  the  Account  Book  I'/Ss-iygo: 

June  8.  heard  the  first  whip-poor-will.  [New  York.] 

June  12.  p**  2 flower  pots  2/6. 

June  23.  p"*  subscription  for  Bartram’s  travels  16/.  [New  York] 
July  23.  the  first  kildees  I have  seen  this  year.  [New  York] 


1791 


1791/ 

Sep.  28.  Estimate  of  a road  rising  i.f.  in  lo.f.  from  the 
Secretary’s  ford.* 

begun  at  the  point  of  a ridge  making  into  old 
road  at  head  of  little  wet  meadow 

stepped  rising  i.f.  in  lo.f.  by  guess  as  nearly  as  I 
could. 

to  the  upper  end  of  a rock  414  yds.  [this  rock 
dropping  far  down  the  hill  & being  impassible, 
it  would  be  better  to  begin  here  & work  down- 
wards & upwards  from  it’s  head.] 

to  the  plantation  fence  264.  y3§  [so  far  thro’ 
woods.] 

into  the  road  about  200  yds  above  Overseer’s 
house  426.  yds  thro’  the  open  feild.  in  all  1 104 
yds.  & from  where  it  enters  the  road  up  to  the 
house  about  700  yds.  in  all  about  1900.  yds  from 
Secretary’s  ford  to  the  house. 

it  would  probably  be  about  85  days  work  * 

30.  on  trial  with  the  level,  descending  from  the  rock 
above  mentioned  i.f.  in  10 

would  have  crossed  the  antient  country  road  half 
way  up  the  hill  from  the  Secretary’s  ford. 

156 


1791] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


157 


rising  from  the  rock  i.f.  in  10.  to  the  right,  it 
struck  the  fence  opposite  the  stone  spring,*  376 
yds  from  the  rock. 

^ I7gi.  Jefferson  continued  in  office  as  Secretary  of  State 
in  Washington’s  Cabinet  during  the  year.  On  May  17  Jef- 
ferson and  Mr.  James  Madison  set  out  on  a month’s  excursion 
to  the  North.  They  visited,  among  other  places,  Albany, 
Ticonderoga,  Springfield,  Hartford,  and  New  York.  In 
Bennington,  Vermont,  Jefferson  gave  close  study  to  the  sugar 
maple  industry.  One  of  their  most  enjoyable  experiences  was 
a boat  trip  on  Lake  George.  In  the  following  letters  to  his 
son-in-law  and  to  his  daughter,  Martha,  Jefferson  gave  glow- 
ing descriptions  of  the  lake  and  the  plant  life  surrounding  it. 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Lake  Champlain,  May  31st,  1791. 

My  dear  Martha: 

I wrote  to  Maria  yesterday  while  sailing  on  Lake  George,  and  the 
same  kind  of  leisure  is  afforded  me  to-day  to  write  to  you.  Lake 
George  is,  without  comparison,  the  most  beautiful  water  I ever  saw; 
formed  by  a contour  of  mountains  into  a basin  thirty-five  miles  long,  and 
from  two  to  four  miles  broad,  finely  interspersed  with  islands,  its  water 
limpid  as  crystal,  and  the  mountain  sides  covered  with  rich  groves  of 
thuja,  silver  fir,  white  pine,  aspen  and  paper  birch  down  to  the  water- 
edge  ; here  and  there  precipices  of  rock  to  checker  the  scene  and  save  it 
from  monotony.  An  abundance  of  speckled  trout,  salmon  trout,  bass, 
and  other  fish,  with  which  it  is  stored,  have  added  to  our  other  amuse- 
ments, the  sport  of  taking  them.  . . . Our  journey  has  hitherto  been 
prosperous  and  pleasant,  except  as  to  the  weather,  which  has  been  sultry 
hot  through  the  whole  as  could  be  found  in  Carolina  or  Georgia.  I sus- 
pect, indeed,  that  the  heats  of  northern  climates  may  be  more  powerful 
than  those  of  southern  ones  in  proportion  as  they  are  shorter.  Perhaps 
vegetation  requires  this.  . . . Strawberries  here  are  in  the  blossom  or 
Just  formed.  With  you  I suppose  the  season  is  over.  On  the  whole,  I 
find  nothing  anjwhere  else,  in  point  of  diraate,  which  Virginia  need  envy 
to  any  part  of  the  world.  Here  they  are  locked  up  in  ice  and  snow  for 
six  months.  Spring  and  autumn,  which  make  a paradise  of  our  country, 
are  rigorous  winter  with  them.  And  a tropical  summer  breaks  on  them 
all  at  once.  When  we  consider  how  much  climate  contributes  to  the 
happiness  of  our  conditions,  by  the  fine  sensations  it  excites,  and  the  pro- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


158 


[1791 


ductions  it  is  parent  of,  we  have  reason  to  value  highly  the  accident  of 
birth  in  such  a one  as  that  of  Virginia.  (Randall,  Jefferson  a : 20-21.) 


(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Bennington,  in  Vermont,  June  S>  *79** 

. , . We  were  more  pleased,  however,  with  the  botanical  objects  which 
continually  presented  themselves.  Those  either  unknown  or  rare  in 
Virginia,  were  die  sugar  maple  in  vast  abundance.  The  silver  fir,  white 
pine,  pitch  pine,  spruce  pine,  a shrub  with  decumbent  stems,  which  they 
call  juniper,  an  azalea,  very  different  from  the  nudiflora,  with  very 
large  clusters  of  flowers,  more  thickly  set  on  the  branches,  of  a deeper 
red,  and  high  pink-fragrance.  It  is  the  richest  shrub  I have  ever  seen. 
The  honey-suckle  of  the  gardens  growing  wild  on  the  banks  of  Lake 
George,  the  paper-birch,  an  aspen  with  a velvet  leaf,  a shrub-willow  with 
downy  catkins,  a wild  goose  berry,  the  wild  cherry  with  single  fruit, 
(not  the  bunch  cherry,)  strawberries  in  abundance.  ...  I think  I asked 
die  favor  of  you  to  send  for  Anthony  in  the  season  for  inoculation,  as  well 
as  to  do  what  is  necessary  in  the  orchard,  as  to  pursue  the  object  of 
'inoculating  all  the  spontaneous ‘cherry  trees  in  the  fields  with  good  fruit. 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  8:  304.-206.) 

Jefferson  remained  'in  Philadelphia  during  the  summer, 
being  unable  to  leave  for  Monticello  until  September  2.  He 
had  been  away  from  Monticello  for  almost  a year.  On  the 
day  he  left  for  Virginia  he  “p*  Leslie  for  an  odometer  10.  D,” 
This  odometer  he  attached  to  the  wheel  of  his  carriage,  and 
kept  a tabular  record  of  the  distance  from  Philadelphia  to 
Monticello.  He  arrived  home  on  September  iz,  and  observed 
the  following  details  about  the  accuracy  of  the  odometer: 

These  measures  were  on  the  belief  that  the  wheel  of  the  Phaeton 
made  exactly  360.  revolutions  in  a mile,  but  on  measuring  it  accurately 
at  the  end  of  the  journey  it’s  circumference  was  14  ft.  jo^  I.  and  conse- 
quently made  354-95  revol'”  in  a mile,  these  numbers  should  be  greater 
then  in  the  proportion  of  71 : 72  or  a mile  added  to  every  71. 

(Sec  Account  Book  lygi—iSo^  for  the  record  of  the  trip.) 

Petit,  Jefferson’s  faithful  steward  in  France,  arrived  in 
Philadelphia  on  July  19.  He  no  doubt  accompanied  Jefferson 
to  Monticello  in  September.  During  the  following  years  he 
was  to  play  a conspicuous  part  in  Jefferson’s  comfort  and  to 
serve  him  in  various  ways. 

Jefferson’s  interest  in  olive  trees  and  rice  continued  unabated 
during  the  year,  as  letters  quoted  below  will  show.  He  sent 
rice  and  olives  to  Sooth  Carolina  with  the  same  zeal. 


i79i]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 

Since  Jefferson  was  absent  from  Monticello  during  the 
spring  and  summer,  there  were  no  entries  in  the  Garden  Book 
about  plants  and  gardening.  He  was,  however,  by  no  means 
idle.  He  placed  orders  with  William  Prince,  of  Long  Island, 
New  York,  for  a large  shipment  of  plants  to  be  sent  to  Monti- 
cello. They  were  received  at  Monticello  and  planted  by  Mr, 
Randolph. 

Jefferson’s  new  interest  this  year  was  the  attempt  to  estab- 
lish sugar  maples  at  Monticello.  He  hoped  and  believed  that 
sugar  maples  would  be  grown  as  profitably  at  Monticello  as  in 
Vermont.  In  order  to  try  the  experiment  at  Monticello,  he 
bought  over  one  hundred  maple  trees  from  William  Prince, 
and  also  bought  many  maple  buds  for  inoculation  from  a man 
named  Elsworth.  His  maple  trees  never  flourished.  He  was 
doomed  to  failure  with  this  experiment  as  he  was  with  his 
other  two  plant  experiments,  rice  and  olives,  in  South  Carolina 
and  Georgia. 

” The  great  highway  for  stage  travel  from  Richmond  to 
Charlottesville  followed  the  Rivanna  River,  and  passed 
through  Shadwell,  and  crossed  the  river  at  Secretary’s  Ford, 
just  below  what  is  now  the  Charlottesville  Woolen  -Mills. 
The  fVeekly  Chronicle  of  Charlottesville  for  February  19, 
1870,  under  the  heading  of  "Old  Records  of  Albemarle 
County,"  gives  the  following  interesting  account  of  the  origin 
of  the  name: 

The  ford  is  situated  below  Piraeus,  and  an  opinion  has  prevailed  to 
some  extent  that  it  was  named  in  honor  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  when 
Secretary  of  State  under  President  George  Washington,  as  well  as  the 
Secretary  road  along  which  he  is  .said  to  have  travelled.  But  this  is  an 
error;  here  is  the  record  which  is  to  be  found  on  the  County  Court 
Record : 

At  a court  held  for  this  county  of  Albemarle  on  the  fourth  Thursday 
and  28th  day  of  March,  1745 ; Present  Joshua  Fry,  Peter  Jefferson,  Wil- 
liam Cabell,  and  Thomas  Bellew,  gentlemen  Justices.  Charles  Lynch, 
gentleman,  is  appointed  surveyor  of  the  highway  from  the  late  Secre- 
tary’s ford  to  number  12,  and  likewise  of  the  road  to  the  said  Lynch’s 
Ferry,  and  the  same  male  citizens,  that  formerly  worked  under  the  said 
Lynch  are  ordered  to  clean  both  roads. 

Mr.  Jefferson  at  the  time  of  this  entry  was  not  quite  two  years  old. 
In  the  years  1744  and  1745  there  are  several  entries  which  speak  of 
Secretary  Ford,  Secretary  Mountain,  Secretary  Mill,  etc.,  and  one  of 
these  says  of  the  late  Secretary.  The  gentleman  for  whom  the  Secre- 
tary’s Ford,  mill.  Road,  etc.,  were  named  was  Charles  Carter,  some- 


l6o  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  Ci79* 

times  called  King  Carter,  His  Majesty’s  Colonial  Secretary.  He  owned 
a vast  body  of  land  in  this  section  of  country,  and  had  here  large  plan- 
tations settled  with  negro  slaves.  His  line  tree  is  now  standing.  The 
land  from  Fluvanna,  along  both  sides  of  Carter’s  Mountain,  and  south 
side  of  the  county  and  in  Nelson  and  Amherst  was  his.  {The  W eekly 
Chronicle,  Charlottesville,  Va.,  5 (13):  1,  Feb.  19,  1870.) 

See  plates  XIV  and  XXII  for  location  of  Secretary’s  Ford. 

« See  plate  XXII. 

*One  of  the  springs  on  the  north  side  of  Monticello  moun- 
tain. See  plate  XXII  for  location  of  this  spring. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1791 

(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan  le  fils.) 

Phila.  Jan.  *5.  179X. 

. . . He  [Cathalan  le  fils’  father]  desires  me  to  say  whether  I still  wish 
to  have  the  commission  executed  as  to  the  olives.  I wish  it,  Sir,  ex- 
tremely. my  honour  is  somewhat  compromitted  in  that  matter  with  the 
State  of  Soudi  Carolina,  as  it  was  on  my  earnest  sollicitations  they  under- 
took it,  and  sent  me  about  30.  Louis  for  that  purpose;  the  balance  of 
which  (after  paying  the  parcel  you  sent)  has  laid  at  Paris  ever  since. 
I must  entreat  you  then  at  the  Commencement  of  the  proper  season  to 
send  one  half  the  adventure  of  olive  berries  & olive  plants  to  Bordeaux 
to  mf  Fenwick  American  consul  there  to  be  forwarded  directly  to 
Charlestown,  and  to  endeavor  to  find  for  the  other  half  a vessel  coming 
from  Marseilles  to  Charlestown  direct,  let  the  two  adventures  make 
up  thirty  Louis  with  what  you  have  furnished  before,  & draw  for  the 
balance  on  mf  Short.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  Feb.  9th,  1791. 

. . . You  will  be  out  in  time  to  begin  your  garden,  and  that  will 
tempt  you  to  be  out  a great  deal,  than  which  nothing  will  tend  more  to 
give  ]ipu  health  and  strengdi.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  a:  15.) 

(Jefferson  to  Maria  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia,  Mar.  9th,  1791. 

. . . On  the  ayth  of  February  I saw  blackbirds  and  robin-redbreasts, 
and  on  the  7th  of  this  month  I heard  frogs  for  the  first  time  this  year. 
Have  you  noted  the  first  appearance  of  these  things  at  Monticello?  I 
hcqie  you  have,  and  will  continue  to  note  every  appearance,  aniidal  and 
vegetable,  which  indicates  the  approach  of  spring,  and  will  communicate 
them  u>  me.  ^ By  these  means  we  shall  be  able  to  compare  the  climates 
of  Philadelphia  and  Monticello.  Tell  me  when  you  sh^  have  peas,  etc., 


1791] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


i6i 


up;  when  everything  comes  to  table;  when  you  shall  have  the  first 
chickens  hatched ; when  every  kind  of  tree  blossoms,  or  puts  forth  leaves ; 
when  each  kind  of  flower  blooms.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  2:  16.) 

(Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  March  22.  1791. 

. . . Polly  and  myself  have  planted  the  cypress  vine  in  boxes  in  the 
window  and  also  date  seeds  and  some  other  flowers.  1 hope  you  have 
not  forgot  the  collection  of  garden  seed  you  promised  me.  . . . {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  M.  H.  S. ) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  Mar.  24,  1791. 

...  I suppose  you  are  busily  engaged  in  your  garden.  I expect  full 
details  on  that  subject  as  well  as  from  Poll,  that  I may  judge  what  sort 
of  a gardener  you  make.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  21  17.) 

(Jefferson  to  Maria  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia,  Mar,  31st,  1791. 

...  I wrote  you  in  my  last  that  the  frogs  had  begun  their  songs  on 
the  7th;  since  that  the  blue-birds  saluted  us  on  the  17th;  the  weeping- 
willow  began  to  leaf  on  the  i8th;  the  lilac  and  gooseberry  on  the  2Sth, 
and  the  goldenwillow  on  the  26.  I enclose  for  your  sister  three  kinds 
of  flowering  beans,  very  beautiful  and  very  rare.  She  must  plant  and 
nourish  them  with  her  own  hand  this  year  in  order  to  save  enough  seeds 
for  herself  and  me.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  a:  17-18.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Apr.  6.  1791. 

...  I have  received  my  daughter’s  letter,  and  will  execute  her  wish 
for  the  calash  for  herself,  & seeds  for  her  friend.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  April  17,  1791. 

...  I hope  your  garden  is  flourishing.  . , . (Randall,  Jefferson  a: 
18). 

(Maria  Jefferson  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello,  April  iSth,  1791. 

. . . The  garden  is  backward,  the  inclosure  having  but  lately  been 
finished.  . . . (Randolph,  Jefferson:  199.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


l6i 


[1791 


(Jefferson  to  Maria  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia,  April  24,  1791. 

I have  received,  my  dear  Maria,  your  letter  of  March  26;  I find  I 
have  counted  too  much  on  you  as  a Botanical  and  Zoological  corre- 
spondent, for  I undertook  to  affirm  here  that  the  fruit  was  not  killed  in 
Virginia,  because  I had  a young  daughter  there  who  was  in  that  kind  of 
correspondence  with  me,  and  who,  I was  sure  would  have  mentioned  it, 
if  it  had  been  so.  However,  I shall  go  on  communicating  to  you  what- 
ever may  contribute  to  a comparative  estimate  of  the  two  climates,  in 
hopes  that  it  will  induce  you  to  do  the  same  to  me.  , . . 

April  5.  Apricots  in  bloom. 

Cherry  leafing. 

9.  Peach  in  blossom. 

Apple  leafing. 

II.  Cherry  in  blossom.  . . . 

(Randall,  Jefferson  2:  18-19.) 

Thomas  Mann  Randolph,  in  a letter  to  Jefferson,  written 
from  Monticello  on  April  30,  gave  him  a detailed  account  of 
the  weather  for  the  month  and  listed  the  blooming  time  for 
the  following  plants: 

April  I,  Violae  1,  2,  3. 

2,  Leontodon  taraxacum. 

4,  Silene,  Fragaria  vesca. 

30,  Chionanthus  virg[inica.]  Cypripedium  Calc[eolus],  Crataegus 
crus  ga[lli],  Morus  Rubra,  Aquilegia  canad  [ensis,]  Prunus 
virg[iniana].  Magnolia  3 sp.  Hyacin[thus]  com[osus]. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Messrs.  Robert  Gilmore  & Co.) 

Phila,  May  i.  1791. 

I am  just  informed  that  there  is  arrived  at  Baltimore  addressed  to  you 
by  mr  Cathalan  of  Marseilles  6.  barrels  containing  olive  trees,  and  a 
chest  containing  olives  to  sow,  for  me.  1 must  beg  the  favor  of  you  to 
send  them  by  the  first  vessel  to  Charleston  (S.  C.)  addressed  ‘to  Mes- 
sieurs Brailsford  & Morris  for  mr  Wm.  Drayton.*  as  the  success  of  this 
endeavor  to  introduce  the  culture  of  the  olive  into  the  U.  S.  depends  on 
the  plants  arriving  at  their  destination  in  due  season,  h that  is  now  pass- 
ing fast  away,  I must  beg  your  attention  to  send  them  by,  the  very  first 
vessd.  bound  from  your  port.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


1791] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


163 


(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  May  i.  1791. 

. . . We  are  still  sitting  before  fires  here.  The  fruit  in  this  country  is 
untouched.  I thank  you  for  having  replaced  my  dead  trees.  It  is 
exactly  what  I would  have  wished.  I shall  be  glad  to  hear  how  the 
white  wheat,  mountain  rice,  Paccan  & Sugar  Maples  have  succeeded. 
Evidence  grows  upon  us  that  the  U.  S.  may  not  only  supply  themselves 
sugar  for  their  own  consumption  but  be  great  exporters.  I have  re- 
ceived a cargo  of  olive  trees  from  Marseilles,  which  I am  ordering  on  to 
Charleston,  so  that  the  U.  S.  have  a certain  prospect  that  sugar  and  oil 
will  be  added  to  their  productions,  no  mean  addition.  I shall  be  glad  to 
have  a pair  of  puppies  of  the  Shepherd’s  dog  selected  for  the  President. 
A committee  of  the  Philosophical  Society  is  charged  with  collecting  ma- 
terials for  the  natural  history  of  the  Hessian  fly.  I do  not  think  that  of 
the  weavil  of  Virginia  has  been  yet  sufficiently  detailed.  What  do  you 
think  of  beginning  to  turn  your  attention  to  this  insect,  in  order  to  give 
its  history  to  the  Phil,  society?  It  would  require  some  summer’s  ob- 
servations.— ^Bartram  here  tells  me  that  it  is  one  & the  same  insect  which 
by  depositing  it’s  egg  in  the  young  plumbs,  apricots,  nectarines  & peaches 
renders  them  gummy  & good  for  nothing.  He  promises  to  shew  me  the 
insect  this  summer.  I long  to  be  free  for  pursuits  of  this  kind  instead 
of  the  detestable  ones  in  which  I am  now  labouring  without  pleasure  to 
myself,  or  profit  to  others.  In  short  I long  to  be  with  you  at  Monticello. 
(Ford,  Jefferson  6:  250-251.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Drayton.) 

Philadelphia  May  i.  1791. 

my  Mortification  has  been  extreme  at  the  delays  which  have  attended 
the  procuring  the  olive  plants  so  long  ago  recommended  by  myself,  so 
long  ago  agreed  to  by  the  agricultural  society,  & for  which  their  money 
has  been  so  long  lying  in  the  hands  of  a banker  at  Paris.  I assure  you 
Sir  that  my  endeavors  have  been  unremitting,  in  addition  to  the  first 
small  pared  which  were  sent  soon  after  the*  receipt  of  your  orders,  I have 
now  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  a second  cargo  is  arrived  at  Balti- 
more consisting  of  6.  barrds  which  contain  40.  young  olive  trees  of  the 
best  species,  to  afford  grafts,  and  a box  of  olives  to  sow  for  stocks,  this 
I order  on  immediately  to  Charleston  to  the  care  of  Mess”.  Brailsford  ic 
Morris  for  you,  and  I inclose  herewith  a copy  of  the  directions  given  for 
the  manner  of  treating  them,  a third  cargo  is  on  it’s  way  from 
Bordeaux,  but  for  what  port  I have  not  learned,  this  consists  of  2. 
barrds  containing  44.  olive  trees  of  which  24  are  very  young. — ^I  shall 
immediately  write  to  my  correspondent  at  Marseilles  to  send  another 
cargo  the  ensuing  winter. — I delivered  to  mr  Izard  a barrd  of  Moun- 
tain rice  of  last  year’s  growth,  which  1 reedved  from  the  island  of 
Bananas  on  the  coast  of  Africa  & which  I desired  him  to  share  with 
you  for  the  use  of  the  society,  the  attention  now  paying  to  the  sugar- 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


164 


[1791 


maple  tree  promises  us  an  abundant  supply  of  sugar  at  home:  and  I 
confess  I look  with  infinite  gratification  to  the  addition  to  the  products 
of  the  U.  S.  of  three  such  articles  as  oil,  sugar,  & upland  rice,  the  last  I 
value,  in  the  hopes  it  may  be  a complete  substitute  for  the  pestiferous 
culture  of  the  wet  rice.  . . . 


Memorandum  for  the  Olive  Trees 

If  the  olive  trees  arrive  safely  on  the  ground  where  they  are  intended 
to  be  planted,  before  the  end  of  the  month  of  May  next,  they  may  yet  be 
planted  one  foot  depth  in  the  earth  above  the  root  & from  15  to  18  feet 
distance  one  from  the  other  in  a Square.  If  on  the  contrary  they  arrive 
after  the  month  of  May,  they  will  open  a trench  in  the  earth  of  the 
depth  of  the  barrels  in  which  they  will  place  the  barrels  near  each  other, 
taUng  out  the  hoops  and  3 or  4 staves  and  filling  the  hole  all  round  with 
earth.  They  will  water  3 or  4 times  in  summer  all  the  trench  'till  the 
water  penetrates  below  the  bottoms  of  the  barrels.  They  will  shade 
them  from  the  sun  during  the  great  heats  & in  convenient  season  they 
will  be  planted  as  above. 

As  for  the  chest  of  olives  for  sowing.  They  will  make  a hole  of  3 
feet  depth  in  the  earth  put  the  chest  in  it,  as  it  is,  cover  it  over  with  the 
same  earth  and  water  it  well  afterwards.  They  will  then  leave  the 
whole  so  'till  next  February,  when  they  will  uncover  the  chest  without 
deranging  it  & take  some  of  the  Olives  which  they  will  break  to  see  if 
. the  almond  has  germinated ; if  it  has  not  yet  swelled  they  will  cover  it 
again  & leave  it  for  one  year  more.  If  they  have  swelled  they  will  sow 
them  at  an  inch  depth  in  the  earth  cover  them  again  with  earth  & put  on 
them  horse  dung  one  inch  watering  them  with  a watering  pot  then  they 
will  sprout  out  in  2 or  3 months  or  perhaps  not  till  the  ensuing  year. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Washington.) 

Philadelphia  May  i.  1791. 

...  A Mr.  Noble  has  been  here,  from  the  country  where  they  are 
busied  with  the  Sugar  maple  tree.  He  thinks  Mr.  Cooper  will  bring 
3000  jB’s  worth  to  market  this  season,  and  gives  the  most  flattering  cal- 
culations of  what  may  be  done  in  that  way.  He  informs  me  of  another 
very  satisfactory  fact,  that  less  profit  is  made  by  converting  the  juice 
into  a spirit  than  into  sugar.  He  gave  me  specimens  of  the  spirit,  which 
is  exactly  whiskey, 

I have  arrived  at  Baltimore  from  Marseilles  40  olive  trees  of  the  best 
kind  from  Marseilles,  & a box  of  the  seed.  The  latter  to  raise  stocks,  & 
the  former  cuttings  to  engraft  on  the  stocks.  I am  ordering  them  in- 
stantly to  Charleston,  where  if  they  arrive  in  the  course  of  this  month 
they  will  be  in  time.  Another  cargo  is  on  it's  way  from  Bordeaux,  so 
that  I hope  to  secure  the  commencement  of  this  culture,  and  from  the 
best  species.  Sugar  & oil  will  be  no  mean  addition  to  the  articles  of  our 
culture.  ♦ . . (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  253,) 


1791] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


165 

(Benjamin  Hawkins  to  Jefierson.) 

Warren  in  N.  C.  of  May  1791. 

I had  the  pleasure  to  receive  the  letter  you  did  me  the  honor  to  write 
to  me  of  the  of  April  enclosing  some  of  the  scarlet  blossom  beans 
...  for  which  I request  you  to  accept  my  thanks.  I wish  you  and  M”. 
Trist  may  have  been  as  fortunate  with  your  beans  as  I am  with  mine, 
the  largest  and  middle  sized  are  up  and  promising;  I imagine  the  largest 
to  be  the  Caracalla.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Maria  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia,  May  8‘^  1791. 

. . . April  30th  the  lilac  blossomed.  May  4th  the  gelder-rose,  dog- 
wood, redbud,  azalea  were  in  blossom.  Wc  have  still  pretty  constant 
fires  here.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  2:  19.) 

(Jefferson  to  David  Rittenhouse.) 

Philadelphia,  May  8.  1791. 

. . . The  diary  of  the  flowering  plants  and  appearance  of  birds  may 
amuse  you  a minute.  I observe  the  martin  appeared  there  the  14***  of 
April,  here  it  was  the  ai“‘.  this  year,  & exactly  on  the  same  day  at 
New  York  the  last  year,  the  object  of  this  diary  is  to  show  what  birds 
disappear  in  winter  & when,  & also  to  enable  us  to  form  a comparative 
view  of  the  climates  of  that  & this  place,  for  I was  to  have  kept  a similar 
diary  here;  but  a town  situation  does  not  admit  it.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Vaughan.) 

Philadelphia  May  ii.  1791. 

. . . The  parcels  of  mountain  rice  from  Timor  came  to  hand  too  late 
in  the  last  season  to  produce  seed.  I have  sowed  this  spring  some  of  idle 
same,  but  it  has  not  yet  come  up.  I was  fortunate  in  receiving  from  the 
coast  of  Africa  last  fall  a cask  of  mountain  rice  of  the  last  year’s  growth. 
This  I have  dispersed  into  many  hands,  having  sent  the  mass  of  it  to  S. 
Carolina.  The  information  which  accompanied  this  cask  was  that  they 
have  there  (on  the  coast  of  Africa)  3.  kinds  of  Mountain  rice,  which 
sowed  at  the  same  time,  comes  to  harvest  a month  distant  from  each 
other.  They  did  not  say  of  which  kind  that  is  which  was  sent  to  me. 
The  kind  which  ripens  quickest  will  surely  find  sun  enough  to  ripen  in 
our  middle  states.  (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  259-260.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  June  ai.  1791. 

...  I am  sorry  we  did  not  bring  with  us  some  leaves  of  the  different 
plants  which  struck  our  attention  [on  their  northern  trip],  as  it  is  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1791 


166 


leaf  which  principally  decides  specific  differences.  You  may  still  have 
it  in  your  power  to  repair  the  omission  in  some  degree.  The  Balsam 
tree  at  Govr.  Robinson’s  is  the  Balsam  poplar,  Populus  BaUamifera  of 
Linnaeus.  The  Arolea  [Azalea}  I can  only  suspect  to  be  the  viscosa, 
because  I find  but  two  kinds  the  nudiflora  [and]  viscosa  acknoledged 
to  grow  with  us.  I am  sure  it  is  not  the  nudifiora.  The  white  pine  is 
the  Pinus  Strobus.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  272.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  July  6.  i79t" 

...  I received  safely  the  packet  by  cap*.  Sims.  The  Guinea  corn  is 
new  to  me,  & shall  be  taken  care  of.  My  African  upland  rice  is 
flourishing.  . . . 

P.  S.  If  you  leave  N.  York,  will  you  leave  directions  with  Mr.  Elsworth 
to  forward  to  me  the  two  parcels  of  Maple  buds,  & that  of  the  Birch 
bark  respectively  as  they  arrive.  The  last  I think  had  better  come  by 
water.  (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  277-278.) 

(Thomas  Mann  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello,  July  7,  1791. 

...  In  a late  letter  you  desire  us  to  let  you  know  our  success  vrith 
the  seeds  you  sent  from  Philadelphia.  The  sugar  maple  has  failed  en* 
tirely,  a few  plants  only  having  appeared  which  perished  almost  immedi- 
ately. The  yellow  rice  failed  allso  from  the  badness  of  the  seed,  but 
the  dark  colored  came  up  tolerably  well  & the  plants  are  thriving.  The 
first  kind  was  transmitted  to  Colo.  i«wis  on  your  account  by  a Gentle- 
man in  Jamaica,  the  2**.  you  left  in  one  of  the  niches  in  the  parlour  here. 
For  both  of  these  & the  maple  we  preferred  the  flat  ground  below  the 
pack  on  the  little  stream  which  passes  thro’  it,  being  the  natural  situa- 
tion of  the  latter,  & more  suitable  to  the  former  than  the  garden.  The 
Paeans  have  not  appeared  as  yet.  Thinking  that  they  would  not  bear 
transplantation  I took  the  liberty  to  place  them  partly  on  each  side  of  the 
new  way  leading  from  the  gate  to  the  house  & partly  in  the  garden. 
Several  of  those  in  the  garden  were  destroyed  unluckily  by  the  hogs  be- 
fore it  was  enclosed.  The  white  wheat  did  poorly.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Wm.  Prince.) 

Philadelphia  July  6.  1791. 

When  I was  at  your  house  in  Jime  I left  with  you  a note  to  furnish 
me  with  the  following  trees,  to  wit; 

Sugar  maples,  all  you  have 

bush  cranberries,  sdl  you  have 

3.  balsam  poplars. 

6.  Venetian  sumachs. 

12.  Btirsd  pears. 


Jefferson’3  Garden  Book 


1791] 


167 


To  these  I must  now  desire  you  to  add  the  following;  the  names  of 
which  I take  from  your  catalogue,  to  wit 

6.  Brignole  plumbs. 

12.  apricots.  I leave  to  you  to  fix  on  three  or  four  of  the  best  kinds, 
making  in  the  whole  12  trees. 

6.  red  Roman  nectarines. 

6.  yellow  Roman  nectarines. 

6.  green  nutmeg  peaches. 

6.  large  yellow  clingstone  peaches  ripening  Oct.  15. 

12.  Spitzenberg  apples.  I leave  to  you  to  decide  on  the  best  kind,  as 
I would  chuse  to  have  only  one  kind. 

6.  of  the  very  earliest  apples  you  have. 

Roses  Moss  Provence,  yellow,  rosa  mundi;  large  Provence,  the 
monthly,  the  white  damask,  the  primrose,  musk  rose,  cinnamon 
rose,  thornless  rose.  3 of  each,  making  in  all  30. 

3.  Hemlock  spruce  firs. 

3.  large  silver  firs. 

3.  balm  of  Gilead  firs. 

6.  monthly  honeysuckles. 

3.  Carolina  kidney  bean  trees  with  purple  flowers. 

3.  balsam  of  Peru. 

6.  yellow  willows 

6.  Rhododendrons. 

12.  Madeira  nuts. 

(12?)  fill-buds. 

according  to  your  estimate  & the  prices  in  your  catalogue  these  will  be 
covered  by  30.  dollars  • which  sum  you  will  receive  herewith.  I must 
trouble  you  to  send  them  yourself  to  Richmond,  addressed  to  the  care  of 
m'  James  Brown  merch‘.  of  that  place,  who  will  receive  them  & pay 
freight  &c.  Send  them  to  no  other  port  of  that  country,  for  I shall 
never  get  them,  and  there  are  vessels  going  from  New  York  to  Rich- 
mond frequently,  be  so  good  as  to  forward  them  as  soon  as  the  season 
wall  admit.  I am.  Sir.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.)  (Published 
in  Fiskc  Kimball,  Jefferson  s Grounds  and  Gardens  at  Monticello,  n.d.) 

♦"July  6,  Ci79i]i  gave  order  on  bank  for  Prince  for  trees,  also  for 
100  lb.  Maple  sugar,  etc.  on  acc^  making  60.D  Sc  inclos'*  to  him.” 
{Account  Book  ijgi—1803.) 

(Joseph  Fay  to  Jefferson.) 

Bennington  [Vermont]  9"*  August  1791. 

I have  this  day  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  16*^.  of 
June,  respecting  the  sugar  maple  seed,  by  what  means  the  letter  has  been 
so  long  detained  I cannot  account.  I had  determined  to  furnish  you 
had  you  not  written,  but  the  seed  does  not  come  to  maturity  until  the 
Month  of  October,  when  the  frost  kills  the  stem  of  the  leaf  Sc  seed,  & 
causes  them  to  fall  from  the  tree,  this  circumstance  will  prevent  my 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


l68 


[1791 


furnishing  you  so  early  as  you  mention,  but  no  time  shall  be  lost  in  doing 
it  in  the  proper  season  & forwarding  them  to  you. 

I have  examined  my  young  groves  since  you  left  this,  & find  the 
young  maple  very  thrifty  & numerous,  by  calculation  nearly  one  thou- 
sand to  the  acre.  I intend  to  plant  an  orchard  in  regular  form  next 
Spring,  in  hopes  to  encourage  others  in  the  same  laudable  undertaking 
in  case  I succeed.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  II.  S.) 

Mr.  Prince  completed  Jefferson’s  order  of  July  6,  in  No- 
vember, and  on  the  eighth  of  that  month  sent  him  the  follow- 
ing itemized  statement,  adding  that  the  shipment  of  trees  and 
shrubs  was  being  sent  to  his  agent,  Mr.  James  Brown  of  Rich- 
mond. It  reached  Richmond  on  December  3,  and  was  soon 
after  sent  to  Monticello. 


Thomas  Jefferson,  Esq. 


The  following  trees — 


No.  1. — 60  Sugar  Maple  trees 

3. — 6 Cranberry  trees 

3.  — 3 Balsam  Poplar 

4.  — 6 Venetian  Sumach 

5.  — 8 Burre  Pears 

6.  — 4 Brignole  Plumbs 

7.  — 4 Red  Roman  Nectarines 

8.  — 4 Large  early  Apricots 

9.  — 4 Brussels  d“. 

10.  — 4 Roman  (Moor  park)  d®, 

11.  — 4 Yellow  Roman  Nectarines  40  trees 

13. — 4 Green  Nutmeg  Peach  at 

13.  — 4 Yellow  October  Cling”. 

14.  — 13  Esopus  Spitzenburgh  apple 

15.  — 4 Large  early  harvest  apples 

16.  — 3.  Moss  rose 

1 7.  — 3.  Rosa  mundi 

18.  — 3.  Monthly  rose 

19.  — 3.  Large  Provence  rose 

30.  — 3.  Musk  rose 

31.  — 3 Prim  roses 
33. — 2 White  rose 

23.  — 3 Thornless  rose 

24.  — a Cinnamon  rose 
33, — a Yellow  rose 
27. — 3 Hemlock  spruce 
38. — 3 Silver  fir 

39.. — 6 Monthly  (honey  suckle) 


Nov.  8,  1791. 
Flushing 

Bot.  of  W“  prince 


at  i/:-3-o-o 
3/ !— 0—12—0 

I/6-O-4-6 

I/6-O-9-O 

1/6-0-12-0 

0-6-0 

I/6-0-6-0 


I/6-3-0-0 


0 — 6—0 
3/:-o-4-o 
3/ 1— o— 4— o 
3/  0-4-0 
3/  0-4-0 
i/;  0-2-0 
i/:  0-2-0 
4 Si— o 

i/.  0-3-0 
1/6-0-4-6 
1/6-0-4-6 
1/6— 0—4— 6 
0/6-0-3-0 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


169 


1791] 


30.  — 3 Balsam  of  Peru  1/6-0-4-6 

31.  — 6 Rhododendron  i/6-o-g-o 

32.  — 12  Filbud  trees  1/6-0-18-0 

Matts  the  trees  are  packed  in  0-6-0 

Carriage  oo-i.o 


£ I 2-12-0 

Gures  [?]  in  No.  33 — ^Lemon  Clingstone  the  largest  & best  of  peaches. 
The  above  trees  are  in  four  bundles. 

some  cuttings  of  Yellow  Willow  tyed  to  one  of  the  Bundles  of  trees. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Nov.  27.  1791. 

By  a letter  from  Prince,  I find  that  he  has  forwarded  to  the  care  of 
mr  Brown  in  Richmond  4.  bundles  of  trees  for  me,  numbered  as  on 
the  next  leaf.  I have  written  to  mr  Brown  to  forward  them,  & wish 
this  may  get  in  time  for  you  to  understand  the  numbers  before  you 
plant  them.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

The  list  of  trees  referred  to  in  the  letter  is  the  same  as  the 
list  sent  to  Jefferson  by  Prince,  except  in  this  list  the  price  is 
left  off. 

(Jefferson  to  James  Brown.) 

Philadelphia  Nov.  28.  1791. 

By  a letter  just  received  from  Prince,  the  nurseryman  of  Long  Island, 
I learn  he  has  forwarded  4.  bundles  of  trees  for  me  to  Richmond  ad- 
dressed to  your  care.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

Jefferson  asked  Mr.  Brown  to  send  them  to  Monticello  or 
Nicholas  Lewis,  and  not  to  let  them  freeze. 

(James  Brown  to  Jefferson.) 

Richmond  December  4,  1791. 

. . . Yesterday  your  four  bundles  of  Trees  came  to  hand  from  New 
York.  They  shall  be  taken  care  of  and  forwarded  as  you  point  out.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Dec.  11.  1791. 

. . . mr.  Brown  writes  me  word  that  the  4.  bundles  of  trees  from 
Prince  are  safe  arrived  there,  so  that  I am  in  hopes  you  have  received 
them.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


170 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1791 


From  the  Account  Book  i^gi—i8o$i 

April  9.  Bartratn  the  6.  Louis  M*®  de  Tcsse  had  given  me  [for 
plants]  for  him  = 27  D. 

April  14,  four  flower-pots  6/. 

April  15.  2 flower-pots  .2  • 

April  18.  7 flower-pots  3/9. 

May  17.  heard  the  first  whip-poor-will. 

June  8.  East  Springfield,  saw  2 elms  6f.  8 I.  & 7 7 h diam. 

Dec.  20.  p*^  for  seeing  a lion  21  Months  old  1 c. 


1792 


1792." 

July  I.  Sunday,  the  thermometer  at  D^.  Walker’s* 
was  this  day  at  96°.  which  he  says  is  3“.  higher 
than  he  ever  knew  it  since  he  lived  at  the  moun- 
tains. there  was  no  thermometer  at  Monticello : 
but  I have  observed  when  I had  one  here,  that 
it  was  generally  about  2“.  below  D'.  Walker’s 
& mf  Maury’s.®  so  we  may  suppose  it  would 
have  been  at  94“.  it  was  at  97°.  at  mr  Madi- 
son’s in  Orange®  on  the  same  day,  and  at  99“. 
in  Richmond,  this  was  probably  the  hottest 
day  ever  known  in  Virginia,  on  the  same  day 
was  a violent  hurricane  from  about  the  capes  of 
Virginia®  Northwardly,  it  overset  vessels  & 
blew  down  chimneys  & the  tops  of  houses  in 
Philada  & N.  York,  & destroyed  a great  deal  of 
timber  in  the  country.® 

Aug.  31.  *G.  Divers  ’ thinks  feilds  of  50.  acres  of  wheat 
the  best  size. 

*he  estimates  2.  bushels  of  wheat  for  every  cubic 
yard  of  wheat  in  the  straw  when  stacked. 

Sep.  18.  the  lower  Round-about*  measured  by  the  Od- 

yds. 

ometer*  to  my  Phaeton*®  is  4420  feet=  1473I 
mile“ 

= •837- 


171 


172 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1793 

^ 1792.  Jefferson  continued  as  Secretary  of  State  with 
great  reluctance  during  1792,  only  to  oblige  and  support  his 
friend,  President  Washington,  during  a very  critical  period. 
As  early  as  May  23,  Jefferson,  wrote  to  Washington  from 
Philadelphia,  urging  him  to  accept  another  term  in  office,  but 
at  the  same  time  making  it  quite  clear  that  he  did  not  wish  to 
serve  another  term  as  Secretary  of  State. 

I have,  therefore,  no  motive  to  consult  but  my  own  inclination,  which  is 
bent  irresistibly  on  the  tranquil  enjo3nnent  of  my  family,  my  farm,  and 
my  books.  I should  repose  among  them,  it  is  true  in  far  greater  se- 
curity if  I were  to  know  that  you  remained  at  the  watch ; and  I hope  it 
will  be  so.  (Randall,  Jefferson  a:  64.) 

Jefferson  was  in  Philadelphia  most  of  the  year,  except  for  a 
single  visit  to  Monticello,  which  lasted  from  July  22  to  Sep- 
tember 27.  Maria,  who  was  with  him  in  Philadelphia,  added 
much  to  his  enjoyment  and  relieved  him  of  some  of  the  loneli- 
ness which  completely  engulfed  him  when  he  was  away  from 
his  family. 

On  May  18,  a paper  by  Benjamin  Smith  Barton  was  read 
before  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  assembled  in  Phila- 
delphia, naming  that  plant  Jefersonia  (pi.  XI)  which  previ- 
ously had  been  called  Podophyllum  diphyllum.  After  de- 
scribing the  plant  in  detail.  Barton  continues : 

From  the  account  which  I have  given  of  this  plant,  I have  little  doubt 
that  you  will  agree  with  me  in  considering  it  as  a genus,  distinct  from  the 
Sauguinaria  and  the  Podophyllum,  to  both  which,  however,  it  must  be 
confessed,  it  bears  considerable  relation.  As  I have  not  found  it  de- 
scribed by  any  authors,  except  Linnaeus  and  Clayton,  neither  of  whom 
had  seen  the  flowers,  and  as  it  is,  certainly,  a new  family,  I take  the 
liberty  of  making  it  known  to  the  botanist  by  the  name  of 

JEFFERSONIA, 

in  honour  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  Esq.  Secretary  of  State  to  the  United- 
States, 

I beg  leave  to  observe  to  you,  in  this  place,  that  in  imposing  upon  this 
genus  the  name  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  I have  had  no  reference  to  his  political 
character,  or  to  his  reputation  for  general  science,  and  for  literature. 
My  business  was  with  his  knowledge  of  natural  history.  In  the  various 
departments  of  this  science,  but  especially  in  botany  and  in  zoology,  the 
information  of  this  gentleman  is  equalled  by  that  of  few  persons  in  the 
United-States. 

Of  the  genus  which  I have  been  describing,  we,  as  yet,  know  but  one 
species,  which  I call 


wv^v*" j "y.  ,• 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


173 


179a] 


Jeffersonia  Binata. 

Barton’s  paper  was  printed  the  following  year  in  the  Trans- 
actions of  the  Ameiican  Philosophical  Society  (3:  334—347, 

1793)- 

Since  Jefferson  was  in  Philadelphia  during  the  month  of 
May,  he  was  probably  an  attendant  at  the  meeting  when  this 
honor  was  conferred  upon  him.  In  the  spring  of  1807  he 
planted  Jeffersonia  in  one  of  the  oval  beds  in  front  of  his 
house  at  Monticello.  Jeffersonia  binata  Bart,  is  now  called 
Jeffersonia  diphylla  (L.)  Pcrs. 

This  was  another  year  in  which  Jefferson  failed  to  make  any 
entries  in  the  Garden  Book  about  the  activities  in  the  garden. 
From  letters,  and  the  account  book  for  the  year,  his  continued 
interest  in  olives,  rice,  and  sugar  maples  is  apparent. 

Monticello  had  suffered  greatly  during  Jefferson’s  almost 
continuous  absence  of  ten  years.  The  house  was  unfinished, 
and  there  were  many  changes  to  be  made  both  indoors  and  out- 
doors. He  began  his  plans  for  a complete  change  in  the  house 
this  year.  In  a letter  to  Stephen  Willis,  his  workman  at 
Monticello,  he  wrote : 

Philadelphia  Nov.  12.  1792. 

Having  long  ago  fixed  on  the  ensuing  spring  for  the  time  of  my  retir- 
ing to  live  at  home,  I did,  when  there  the  last  fall,  endeavor  to  put 
things  into  a tram  for  resuming  my  buildings,  this  winter  is  employed 
in  getting  framing,  limestone,  & bringing  up  stone  for  the  foundation  of 
the  new  part  to  be  first  erected,  the  demolition  of  the  walls  wherein 
the  present  staircase  is  run  up,  & of  the  Antichamber  (about  60,000 
bricks)  will,  with  about  20,000  new  bricks  which  I possess,  suffice  I 
hope  for  the  first  summer’s  construction,  building  to  the  water  table  with 
those.  I shall  begin  about  the  first  of  April  to  dig  my  cellars,  & then 
do  the  stonework,  and  as  far  as  I can  judge  I shall  be  in  readiness  after 
that  to  do  the  brick-work,  but  I cannot  be  certain  of  it,  because  I am 
not  at  home  to  make  sure  that  the  winter’s  preparations  will  be  com- 
pleted. I have  thought  it  best  to  give  you  my  prospect  of  asking  your 
attendance,  accoiding  to  promise,  merely  that  you  may,  if  possible,  so  ar- 
range your  engagements  as  to  come  to  Monticello,  if  I can  get  ready  for 
you,  & if  I cannot  be  ready,  that  it  may  be  no  disappointment  to  you. 
I am  extremely  anxious  to  do  the  part  of  ray  house  meditated  this  sum- 
mer if  possible-  my  operations  of  the  subsequent  years  will  be  more 
certain.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H,  S.) 

Plans  were  also  formulated  for  putting  his  farms  on  a pay- 
ing basts.  In  order  to  carry  out  his  plans  Jefferson  needed  an 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


174 


[179a 


overseer  who  could  give  all  his  labors  to  Monticello.  To  do 
this  work  he  eagaged  Mr.  Samuel  Biddlei  of  Elkton,  Mary- 
land, who  had  been  recommended  to  him  by  Mr.  Jacob  Hol- 
lingsworth, also  of  that  town.  The  agreement  was  made  be- 
tween them  toward  the  close  of  the  year. 

*Thomas  Walker  was  born  in  King  and  Queen  in  i7i5i  _WR8  a stu- 
dent of  William  and  Mary,  and  about  1741  married  Mildred,  the 
widow  of  Nicholas  Meriwether.  Through  her  he  came  into  possession 
of  Castle  Hill  [^bemarle  County].  By  profession  he  was  a physician, 
but  possessed  too  bold  and  energetic  a nature  to  be  contented  with  the 
ordinary  routine  of  a country  doctor.  ...  He  was  Commissary  of  the 
Virginia  troops  under  Braddock,  and  was  at  that  general’s  defeat  in 
1755.  More  than  once  he  was  appointed  to  treat  with  the  Indians  in 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1778  was  one  of  the  Commission 
selected  to  fix  the  boundary  between  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 
Without  any  change  of  residence,  he  successively  represented  the  coun- 
ties of  Hanover,  Louisa,  and  Albemarle  in  the  House  of  Burgesses,  and 
in  1763  was  the  trustee  of  Albemarle  to  sell  and  convey  the  lots  and 
outlots  of  Charlottesville,  the  new  county  seat.  He  died  in  1794. 
(Woods,  Albemarle  County;  334-335.) 

‘Probably  Matthew  Maury,  son  of  the  Reverend  James 
Maury,  to  whose  school  Jefferson  went  as  a boy.  ‘‘Matthew 
was  an  Episcopal  minister,  and  succeeded  his  father  both  at 
the  homestead,  and  in  the  parish.  He  also  taught  school. 
He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Walker.  He 
died  in  1808.”  (Woods,  Albemarle  County:  269.) 

* President  James  Madison’s  home  Montpelier,  Orange 
County,  Virginia. 

* Cape  Henry  and  Cape  Charles,  Virgmia. 

•Jefferson  was  in  Philadelphia  on  July  i.  He  did  not 
reach  Monticello  until  July  22,  so  that  all  of  the  entry  relative 
to  the  weather  was  written  after  his  return  to  Monticello. 

^Mr.  George  Divers  lived  at  Farmington,  Albemarle 
County,  now  the  Farmington  Country  Club.  He  and  Jeffer- 
son, both  prominent  men  of  the  community,  were  warm  friends 
and  often  visited  each  other  to  discuss  agricultural  matters  and 
exchange  plants  and  seeds.  Mr.  Divers  married  Martha 
Walker,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Walker,  of  Castle  Hill. 
(Mary  Rawlings,  The  Albemarle  of  Other  Days  (Charlottes- 
ville, 1925):  122-123.) 

* The  lower  Round-about  was  also  called  the  Fourth  Round- 
about. 


1792]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  lyj; 

•Jefferson  bought  this  odometer  on  September  2,  1791, 
while  in  Philadelphia.  See  note  i,  1791. 

“ Phaeton:  a kind  of  light  four-wheeled  carriage  (with  or 
without  a top)  having  no  sidepieces  in  front  of  the  seat  or 
(two)  seats. 

“From  the  Farm  Book:  “1792,  Sept.  18.  the  Orchard 
Roundabout,  passing  above  the  garden  along  the  mulberry 
row,  measured  by  the  Odometer  of  the  Phaeton  1473^  yds.  = 
.837  mile. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1792 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  Jan.  i,  1792. 

...  I thank  you  for  your  experiment  on  the  Peach  tree.  It  proves 
my  speculation  practicable,  as  it  shews  that  5.  acres  of  peach  trees  at  21. 
feet  apart  will  furnish  dead  wood  enough  to  supply  a fireplace  through 
the  winter,  & may  be  kept  up  at  the  trouble  of  only  planting  about  70. 
peach  stones  a year.  Suppose  this  extended  to  lo.  fireplaces,  it  comes  to 
50.  acres  of  ground,  5000  trees,  and  the  replacing  about  700  of  them 
annually  by  planting  so  many  stones.  If  it  be  disposed  at  some  little 
distance,  say  in  a circular  annulus  from  1 00.  to  300  yards  from  the 
house,  it  would  render  a cart  almost  useless. — When  I indulge  myself  in 
these  speculations,  I feel  with  redoubled  ardor  my  desire  to  return  home 
to  the  pursuit  of  them,  & to  the  bosom  of  my  family,  in  whose  love  alone 
I live  or  wish  to  live,  & in  that  of  my  neighbors. — ^But  I must  yet  a little 
while  bear  up  against  my  weariness  of  public  ofGce.  . . . (Ford,  Jeffer- 
son 6:  359.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  February  26,  1792. 

. . . The  season  is  now  coming  on  when  I shall  envy  you  your  oc- 
cupations in  the  fields  and  garden,  while  I am  shut  up  drudging  within 
four  walls.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  2:  76.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Mar.  30.  1792. 

...  I inclose  you  some  seeds  of  the  Acacia  Farnesiana  the  most  de- 
licious flowering  shrub  in  the  world,  it  ,will  require  to  be  in  boxes,  and 
to  be  kept  in  the  house  in  the  winter.  I formerly  made  use  of  the  South 
bow  room  for  the  same  kind  of  plant,  & it  was  quite  sufficient,  if  they 
come  up  and  you  will  take  charge  of  them  next  winter,  I will  take  them 
off  your  hands  afterwards.  ...  in  vegetation  I have  but  little  new  for 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


176 


[179a 


you.  yesterday  for  the  first  time  I discovered  that  the  gooseberry,  the 
lilac  & weeping  willow  were  leafing,  they  might  have  been  so  two  or 
three  days,  the  martins  appeared  here  on  the  21“  of  April  the  last  year, 
& on  the  same  day  of  the  year  before  at  New  York.  {Jefferson  Papers, 

L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  March  22d,  1792. 

. . . The  ensuing  year  will  be  the  longest  of  my  life,  and  the  last  of 
such  hateful  labors ; the  next  we  will  sow  our  cabbages  to-gether.  . .• . 
(Randolph,  Jefferson:  209.) 


(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Hawkins.) 

Philadelphia,  April  i,  1792. 

At  Mrs.  Trist’s  desire  I forward  to  you  about  a dozen  beans  of  three 
different  kinds,  having  first  taken  toll  of  them  as  she  had  done  before. 
They  are  of  the  scarlet  flowering  kind.  This  is  all  I know  of  them. 
The  most  beautiful  bean  in  the  world  is  the  Caracalla  bean  which, 
though  in  England  a green-house  plant,  will  grow  in  the  open  air  in 
Virginia  and  Carolina.  I never  could  get  one  of  these  in  my  life.  They 
are  worth  your  enquiry.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  19:  93-94.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  April  6.  1792. 

...  I suppose  you  are  busy  in  your  garden.  Shackleford  promised  me 
on  his  honor  to  cover  it  with  manure,  has  he  done  it?  if  not,  tell  him 
I have  written  to  enquire.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Nicholas  Lewis.) 

Philadelphia,  Apr.  I2,  1792. 

. , . Unremitting  business  must  be  my  apology,  as  it  is  really  the  true 
one,  for  my  having  been  longer  without  writing  to  you  than  my  affec- 
tions dictated.  I am  never  a day  without  wishing  myself  with  you,  and 
more  and  more  as  the  fine  sunshine  comes  on,  which  seems  made  for  all 
the  world  but  me.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  475.) 

(Thomas  Mann  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  April  16:  1792. 

Your  letter  containing  the  seeds  of  the  Acacia  came  safe  to  Monticello. 
Patsy  and  Miss  Jane,  who  Have  become  quite  enthusiastic  in  gardening  & 
Botany,  are  much  pleased  with  the  charge  St  promise  themselves  the 
satisfaction  of  presenting  you  the  shrub  reared  by  their  own  hands,  in 
Sepf.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


177 


1792]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  April  1792. 

...  I am  sorry  to  hear  my  sugar  maples  have  failed.  I shall  be  able 
however  to  get  here  any  number  I may  desire,  as  two  nurserymen  have 
promised  to  make  provision  for  me.  It  is  too  hopeful  an  object  to  be 
abandoned.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  480.) 

(Mrs.  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  May  7,  1792. 

...  You  will  see  that  I am  a much  better  gardener  than  last  year 
tho  in  truth  old  George  is  so  slow  that  I shall  never  shine  in  that  way 
without  your  assistance.  Tom  has  been  a man  of  honour  with  respect 
to  the  manure.  We  have  had  some  very  high  winds  here  lately  one  of 
which  blew  down  5 large  trees,  in  and  about  the  grove  and  did  some 
other  mischief,  it  was  accompanied  with  severe  lightning,  the  noise 
of  the  wind  kept  us  from  hearing  any  thing  of  the  thunder  except  when 
it  was  extremely  loud,  we  have  discovered  a very  beautiful  tree  near 
the  lower  round  a bout  a silver  fir  I believe,  it  differs  from  the  com- 
mon pine  in  having  a smooth  green  bark  and  the  bottom  of  their  leaves 
white  and  much  finer  than  the  other.  • . . {Jefferson  Papers j M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Elias  Vanderhorst.) 


Philadelphia  May  n.  1792. 

I have  just  received  a letter  from  mr  Cathalan  of  Marseilles  inform- 
ing me  [he]  had  sent  by  the  same  vessel  to  Baltimore  4.  casks  containing 
lOb.  olive  trees,  and  a cask  of  caper  plants,  Mr.  Sterrett,  who  happened 
to  be  then  setting  out  for  Baltimore  promised  to  send  them  off  immedi- 
ately to  Charleston.  I have  taken  the  liberty  of  having  them  addressed 
to  you  as  President  of  the  Agricultural  society,  these  trees,  as  well  as 
those  sent  before  are  of  the  best  kind  of  Provence  olive,  and  were  in- 
tended to  furnish  slips  for  grafting.  I do  not  know  how  it  happens  that 
mf  Cathalan  has  not  sent  the  olive  berries  for  sowing  in  order  to  raise 
stocks,  which  he  was  desired  to  do  this  being  the  quickest  way  of  getting 
into  a large  stock. 

I cannot  help  taking  the  liberty  of  suggesting  to  the  society  the  ex- 
pediency of  adopting  some  plan  of  employing  a common  labourer  at 
Marseilles  to  raise  plants,  and  to  go  annually  with  them  himself  through 
the  canal  of  Languedoc  to  Bordeau  to  see  them  himself  put  on  board  a 
vessel  for  Charleston,  with  a quantity  of  the  olive  berries,  then  return  to 
Marseilles  to  renew  his  operations,  the  whole  expense  might  be  50. 
guineas  a year,  & continued  for  7.  years  would  fill  your  state  tyith  Ais 
most  valuable  of  the  productions  of  the  earth.  . . • (Jefferson  Papers. 
M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1793 


178 


(Jefferson  to  Doctor  George  Gilmer.) 

Philadelphia  May  ii.  1792. 

...  I had  rather  be  sick  in  bed  there,  than  in  health  here,  the  next 
spring  we  will  sow  our  cabbages  together.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.C.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Washington.) 

Philadelphia,  May  16,  1792. 

...  I have  100  olive  trees,  and  some  caper  plants,  arrived  here  from 
Marseilles,  which’  I am  sending  on  to  Charleston,  where  Mr.  Pinckney 
tells  me  they  have  already  that  number  living  of  those  I had  before  sent 
them.  (Ford,  Jefferson  6:  487.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  June  22^,  1792. 

...  I suspect,  by  the  account  you  give  me  of  your  garden,  that  you 
mean  a surprise,  as  good  singers  always  preface  their  performances  by 
complaints  of  cold,  hoarseness,  etc.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  a:  76.) 

(Thomas  Mann  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  June  25.  1792. 

. . , The  weather  for  the  last  fortnight  has  been  very  seasonable  and 
our  prospects  of  Indian  Corn  are  now  great.  Your  harvest  commenced 
three  days  ago:  the  grain  is  as  fair  & the  crop  as  heavy  as  the  land  ever 
bore.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Mrs.  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  July  2,  1792. 

. . . What  I told  you  of  my  garden  is  really  true  indeed  if  you  see  it 
at  a distance  it  looks  very  green  but  it  does  not  bear  close  examination, 
the  weeds  having  taken  possession  of  much  the  greater  part  of  it.  Old 
George  is  so  slow  that  by  the  time  he  has  got  to  the  end  of  his  labour  he 
has  it  all  to  do  over  again.  2 of  the  acacia’s  are  come  up  and  are 
fioutishing.  . . . Dear  papa  the  heat  is  incredible  here,  the  thermom- 
eter has  been  at  96  in  Richmond  and  even  at  this  place  we  have  not  been 
able  to  sleep  comfortably  with  every  door  and  window  open.  I dont 
recolect  ever  to  have  suffered  as  much  from  heat  as  we  have  done  this 
summer.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Thomas  Mann  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello,  October  7,  1792. 

. . . The  frost  has  been  severe  on  this  mountain  as  high  as  the  lower 
Roundabout-walk:  a few  leaves  of  the  sweet-potatoe  have  fdt  it  in  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1792] 


179 


Garden  but  it  has  been  very  slight  as  yet  on  the  summit.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Joseph  Fay  to  Jefierson.) 

Bennington,  October  8,  1792. 

I have  taken  the  earliest  I can  to  collect  a few  of  the  maple  seeds 
which  you  will  receive  herewith  by  the  post ; Should  the  soil  of  Virginia 
prove  friendly  you  will  soon  be  able  to  furnish  the  State,  as  they  produce 
very  spontaneously.  . . . The  seeds  must  be  committed  to  the  Earth  as 
soon  as  convenient  this  fall  in  some  place  where  they  will  not  be  ex- 
posed to  be  damaged  by  fowls  8c  squirrels.  . . , {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinckney.) 

Philadelphia,  October  8,  1792. 

I found  on  my  return  here  three  days  ago,  your  favor  of  April  6th, 
and  am  happy  to  learn  from  it  that  the  Agricultural  Society  has  adopted 
the  plan  of  employing  a person  at  Marseilles  to  raise  and  send  olive 
trees  to  them  annually.  Their  success  in  South  Carolina  cannot  be 
doubted,  and  their  value  is  great.  Olive  grounds  in  France  rent  higher 
by  the  acre  than  those  of  any  other  growth  in  the  Kingdom,  which  proves 
they  yield  the  greatest  nett  produce.  Marseilles  is  die  proper  place  for 
your  nurseryman  to  be  fixed,  because  it  is  the  neighborhood  of  the  best 
olives;  and  Mr.  Cathalan  the  properest  person  to  whom  we  can  commit 
the  whole  superintendence,  because  he  is  our  consul,  is  concerned  in  our 
commerce,  eager  to  extend  it,  is  a good  man,  a wealthy  one,  and  has 
offered  his  services  repeatedly  in  this  business.  He  was  brought  up  in  a 
counting-house  in  London,  is  connected  there,  and  therefore  I think  that 
the  most  convenient  place  on  which  to  enable  him  to  draw  for  expendi- 
tures. This  may  be  either  by  an  annual  letter  of  credit  to  him  on  some 
house  there  for  any  sum  not  exceeding  fifty  guineas,  or  a standing  letter 
of  credit  for  that  annual  sum  till  your  further  orders.  ...  I am  happy 
that  while  I was  in  the  olive  country  1 enquired  for  and  procured  the 
best  book  on  the  subject  of  the  olive  tree,  which  I now  deliver  to  Mr. 
Smith  for  the  use  of  the  Society.  I suspect  that  the  excrescence  on  your 
olive  trees,  described  in  your  letter,  is  what  they  call  the  leprosy,  which 
prevails  among  these  plants  I believe  in  every  country.  (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  8:  41 2-41 4.) 

(Charles  C.  Pinckney  to  Jefferson.) 

Charleston  Nov*.  13.  1792. 

In  consequence  of  your  favour  of  the  8**^  of  October,  the  Agricul- 
tural Society  have  directed  me  to  inform  you  that  they  will  instantly 
take  measures  to  lodge  in  the  hands  of  the  Mess”.  Bird,  Savage,  & Bird 


l8o  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1792 

merchants  In  London  by  the  first  of  January  in  every  year  for  three 
years  certain,  & thence  every  year  afterwards  till  countermanded  by  the 
Society  the  annual  sum  of  Fifty  Guineas,  to  be  paid  to  the  order  of  M'. 
Cathalan  to  procure  Olive  Plants  for  the  Society  in  the  mode  pointed 
out  by  you.  M'.  Peter  Smith  their  Treasurer  will  remitt  by  the  first 
vessel  a Bill  to  put  Mess'".  Bird,  Savage  & Bird  in  cash  for  the  ensu- 
ing January,  & great  care  will  be  taken  to  prevent  M".  Cathalan  being 
even  in  advance  for  the  Society.  I beg  the  favour  of  you  to  forward 
the  enclosed  Letter  to  M".  Cathalan  & to  direct  such  a mode  for  con- 
ducting the  enterprize  as  to  you  may  seem  best:  but  the  Society  would 
prefer,  if  possible,  the  transmitting  the  plants  by  ships  immediately 
bound  for  this  port,  rather  than  by  vessels  destined  to  other  ports  of  the 
Continent.  The  Society  have  directed  me  to  return  you  their  best  thanks 
for  your  great  attention  to  the  objects  of  their  institution,  and  for  the 
polite  present  you  have  made  them  of  the  Traitc  de  I’Olivier  par  M". 
Couture  which  has  arrived  safe.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan.) 

Philadelphia,  December  2,  1792. 

The  small  essay  which  has  been  commenced  under  your  kind  assistance 
for  colonizing  the  olive  tree  to  South  Carolina  has  induced  some  patriotic 
gentlemen  of  that  country  to  turn  their  attention  further  toward  its 
importance,  and  to  give  to  their  efforts  a more  steady  and  permanent 
form.  I gave  it  as  my  opinion  to  them  that  the  best  plan  which  could 
be  pursued  at  a moderate  expense,  would  be  to  rent,  near  Marseilles,  an 
acre  of  ground,  or  say  your  quarterelle,  which  is  something  less  than  an 
acre,  to  employ  by  the  year  a laboring  man  who  understands  engrafting, 
to  make  it  his  business  to  sow  olives  in  this  ground,  to  engraft  on  them 
cuttings  from  the  best  kinds,  and  to  send  to  Carolina  in  the  winter  of 
every  year  all  the  plants  he  could  have  in  readiness,  together  with  a 
quantity  of  the  olive  berries  to  be  sown  in  Carolina  in  order  to  be  en- 
grafted on  them. 

If  before  a given  day  in  winter,  say  the  first  of  January,  any  ship 
should  be  sailing  from  Marseilles  to  Charleston,  it  should  be  his  busi- 
ness to  pack  properly  his  olive  berries  and  young  plants  and  put  t-hom  on 
board ; if  no  vessel  should  occur  before  that,  or  any  more  convenient  day, 
it  should  be  his  business  to  proceed  himself  with  his  olive  berries  and 
plants,  through  the  canal  of  Languedoc  to  Bordeaux,  there  to  remain 
(under  the  patronage  of  Fenwick)  till  a vessel  should  sail  from  thence  to 
Charleston,  on  board  of  which  he  should  put  his  cargo  and  then  return 
to  Marseilles  to  recommence  for  the  next  year  the  same  operation  of 
sowing,  engrafting,  packing  and  dispatching  in  the  same  way  to  Charles- 
ton, the  olive  berries  and  plants  which  he  could  prepare  for  that  year,  and 
so  to  continue  for  a number  of  years.  The  first  question  occurring  was 
to  how  small  a sum  can  we  reduce  this  expense  annually,  so  as  that  it 
may  be  effected  and  yet  not  too  sensible  a burden  on  the  gentlemen. 


1792]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  l8i 

I recollect  that  the  price  of  a quarterelle  of  the  best  lands  close  to 
Marseilles  was  one  hundred  louis,  consequently  its  rent  five  louis  a year. 
The  hire  of  a laboring  man  six  louis  a year,  his  subsistence,  considering 
he  may  have  to  move  from  Marseilles  to  Bordeaux,  will  be  more  than 
if  he  were  always  stationary,  but  still,-if  he  uses  economy  which  a man 
of  his  condition  well  understands,  it  need  not  exceed  fourteen  louis  a 
year,  and  all  together  twenty-five  louis.  Therefore,  to  cover  all  errors 
of  calculation,  accidents  and  contingencies,  I proposed  double  that  sum, 
to  wit:  fifty  louis.  The  gentlemen  have  accordingly  appropriated  that 
sum  annually. 

The  second  question  arising  was  whom  we  should  engage  to  manage 
this  business  at  Marseilles?  On  this  there  could  be  but  one  opinion, 
your  exertions  heretofore,  your  goodness  and  your  relations  to  this  coun- 
try marked  you  as  the  person  whom  we  must  engage  to  act  there,  and  to 
their  entreaties  I must  add  mine  in  the  most  earnest  degree.  After  you 
shall  have  put  the  business  under  way,  that  is  to  say,  after  you  shall 
have  engaged  a proper  laborer  and  piece  of  ground,  I hope  you  will  have 
no  other  trouble  than  to  receive  and  pay  the  wages  and  rent,  and  to  see 
the  nursery  now  and  then  and  that  the  person  docs  his  duty.  ’Your  re- 
ward will  be  the  consciousness  of  doing  good,  our  thanks,  and  those  of  a 
grateful  posterity,  nor  can  any  objections  arise  from  the  circumstances  of 
your  own  country,  as  that  imports  more  oil  than  it  exports,  and  conse- 
quently is  interested  to  increase  the  quantity  produced  abroad  as  well  as 
at  home. 

I will  take  it  for  granted,  then,  that  you  will  become  the  father  of  our 
olive  colony  by  superintending  whatever  is  necessary  to  be  done  on  that 
side  the  water.  The  plants  will  be  received  and  their  freight  paid  at 
their  port  of  delivery  here,  which  we  must  entreat  to  make,  in  every 
possible  case,  the  port  of  Charleston.  Great  injury  and  loss  happen  in 
shipping  and  unshipping  in  warehouses,  etc.,  but  when  a conveyance  to 
Charleston  direct  cannot  be  had  without  danger  of  losing  the  season, 
then  New  York  or  Philadelphia  arc  the  next  best  ports.  Baltimore  is 
too  uncertain  and  Norfolk  still  more  so.  I enclose  you  a letter  from 
Charles  Cotesworth  Pinckney,  Esquire,  of  Charleston,  who  is  chairman 
of  the  agricultural  society  there,  which  will  inform  you  of  the  arrange- 
ments taken  to  have  the  sum  of  money  destined  to  this  object,  always 
under  your  order. 

To  his  correspondence  on  the  subject  I must  refer  you  for  the  future 
and  to  such  alterations  in  my  plan  as  he  shall  please  to  direct.  It  may 
not  be  amiss  to  add  annually  a few  plants  of  the  best  figs  for  drying  as 
also  of  the  best  grapes  for  making  what  we  call  “dried  raisins”,  and  you, 
I believe,  "des  panses only  taking  care  that  these  be  really  few,  so  that 
they  may  in  no  wise  abridge  or  interfere  with  the  olives  which  are  the 
main  object.  We  will  take  care  to  procure  the  patronage  of  Mr.  Fen- 
wick at  Bordeaux  for  so  much  of  the  business  as  must  be  transacted  tliere. 

I have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  and  sincere  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  humble  servant.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson 
19:  9^101.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


l8a 


[1792 


On  November  22  Jefferson  had  written  Mr.  Jacob  Hollings-< 
worth,  of  Elkton,  Maryland,  to  secure  an  overseer  for  Montis 
cello.  Jefferson  received  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Hol- 
lingsworth : 

Elkton,  9 Decb'.  1792. 

Yours  of  22  Novb'  I received  and  should  have  answered  it  sooner,- 
but  could  not  accommodate  you  with  a young  man  which  I thought 
would  suit  you  until  yesterday,  when  I think  I have  found  one  which  I 
have  every  hopes  will,  a sartain  M'.  Samuel  Biddle  who  was  born  with 
in  five  miles  of  me  he  was  brought  up  to  farming  by  his  father  who  is  as 
neat  a farmer  as  Eny  in  our  neighborhood,  and  as  honest  a old  gentleman 
as  Eny  at  ail,  from  charactor,  tho  his  Farm  is  not  large  nough  to  employ 
his  sons  as  he  has  a moderat  quantoty  of  negroes  now  by  the  industry  of 
his  sons,  the  young  man  has  been  an  overseear  for  three  years  past  and  I 
expect  nows  well  how  to  manage  negros  tho  not  in  a very  harsh  manar  he 
says  he  will  undertake  to  manage  them  but  not  with  [out]  they  are  reason- 
ably fed  St  clothed,  his  terms  for  a year  is  forty  five  pounds  if  your  farm 
is  not  more  than  two  hundred  miles  from  this  and  if  more  you  must  pay 
his  traveling  expenses  from  there  untill  he  reaches  the  fatme,  and  he  will 
be  glad  to  come  as  soon  as  possible,  if  you  and  he  can  agree  as  he  expects 
New  years  Day  is  the  common  time  of  entering  the  years  business,  as  he 
expects  to  be  ready  then  he  desires  you  will  commit  your  terms  to 
wrighting,  and  your  requests  untill  he  see  yous  and  a full  informati  of 
the -situation  and  to  know  whether  its  a Quarter  or  a mentioned  House 
or  if  the  House  is  reasonably  good,  and  your  answer  as  soon  as  posable 
as  he  will  attend  here  on  Satterdy  next  for  it.  And  I have  every  hopes 
from  the  caractor  of  his  famaly,  and  knowing  his  father  to  have  brought 
him  up  in  the  eact  mode  of  farming  you  want  that  he  will  answer  every 
purpose. 

Remain  your  very  Humb'  Serv‘ 
Jacob  Hollingsworth 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  Samuel  Biddle.) 

Philadelphia,  Dec,  12,  1792. 

Having  asked  the  favor  of  Mr.  Hollingsworth  to  look  out  for  a per- 
son in  his  neighborhood  who  would  be  willing  to  go  to  Virginia  and 
overlook  a farm  for  me,  he  informs  me  that  you  will  undertake  it  for  a 
hundred  and  twenty  dollars  a year.  He  seems  to  have  mistaken  me  in 
the  circumstance  of  time,  as  he  mentions  that  you  would  expect  to  go 
about  the  new  year.  I had  observed  to  him  that  I should  not  want  a 
person  till  after  the  next  harvest.  The  person  who  now  takes  care  of 
the  place  is  engaged  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  finishes  with  us  about 
November;  but  I should  wish  you  to  be  there  by  seed  time  in  order  to 
prepare  the  crop  of  the’  following  year.  The  wages  are  a good  deal 
higher  than  I expected,  as  Mr.  Hollingsworth  mentioned  that  the  usual 


1793]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  183 

wages  in  your  neighborhood  were  from  £25.  to  £30.  Maryland  currency. 
However  I consent  to  give  them,  & the  rather  as  there  will  be  some 
matters  under  your  care  beyond  the  lines  of  the  farm.  I have  a smith 
& some  sawyers  who  will  require  to  be  seen  once  a day,  and  the  first  year 
of  your  being  there  I shall  have  some  people  employed  in  finishing  a 
canal,  who  will  also  be  to  be  attended  to. 

The  place  you  are  to  overlook  is  that  on  which  I live,  & to  which  I 
shall  return  in  March  next.  It  is  70  miles  above  Richmond  on  the 
North  branch  of  James  River,  exactly  where  it  breaks  through  the  first 
ridge  of  little  mountains,  near  the  village  of  Charlottesville,  in  Albe- 
marle County.  It  is  22$  miles  from  Elkton,  a southwest  course.  From 
this  description  you  may  find  it  in  any  map  of  the  country.  The  climate 
is  very  temperate  both  summer  & winter,  and  as  healthy  as  any  part  of 
America,  without  a single  exception. 

The  farm  is  of  about  5 or  600  acres  of  cleared  land,  very  hilly,  origi- 
nally as  rich  as  any  highlands  in  the  world,  but  much  worried  by  Indian 
corn  & tobacco.  It  is  still  however  very  strong,  & remarkeably  friendly 
to  wheat  & rye.  These  will  be  my  first  object.  Next  will  be  grasses, 
cattle,  sheep,  & the  introduction  of  potatoes  for  the  use  of  the  farm,  in- 
stead of  Indian  corn,  in  as  great  a degree  as  possible.  You  will  have 
from  I a to  15  laborers  under  you.  They  will  be  well  clothed,  and  as 
well  fed  as  your  management  of  the  farm  will  enable  us,  for  it  is  chiefly 
with  a view  to  place  them  on  the  comfortable  footing  of  the  laborers  of 
other  countries,  that  I come  into  another  country  to  seek  an  overlooker 
for  them,  as  also  to  have  my  lands  a little  more  taken  care.  For  these 
purposes  I have  long  banished  tobacco,  & wish  to  do  the  same  by  Indian 
corn  in  a great  degree.  The  house  wherein  you  will  live  will  be  about 
half  a mile  from  my  own.  You  will  of  course  keep  batchelor’s  house. 
It  is  usual  with  us  to  give  a fixed  allowance  of  pork;  I shall  much  rather 
substitute  beef  & mutton,  as  I consider  pork  to  be  as  destructive  an  article 
in  a farm  as  Indian  corn.  On  this  head  we  shall  not  disagree,  and  as  I 
shall  pass  Elkton  in  March,  I will  contrive  to  give  you  notice  to  meet 
me  there,  when  we  may  descend  to  other  details.  But  for  the  present  I 
shall  wish  to  receive  your  answer  in  writing,  that  I may  know  whether 
you  consider  yourself  as  engaged,  so  that  I need  not  look  out  for  another. 
I leave  you  free  as  to  the  time  of  going,  from  harvest  till  Christmas.  If 
you  will  get  yourself  conveyed  as  far  as  Fredericksburg,  which  is  as  far 
as  the  stages  go  on  that  road,  I will  find  means  of  conveying  you  from 
thence,  which  will  be  70  miles.  So  far  respects  the  farm  over  which  I 
wish  to  place  you. 

Besides  this  I have  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  little  river  running 
through  my  lands,  2000  acres  of  lands  of  the  same  quality,  & which  has 
been  cultivated  in  the  same  way,  which  I wish  to  tenant  out  at  a quarter 
of  a dollar  an  acre,  in  farms  of  such  sizes  as  the  tenants  would  chuse.  I 
would  hire  the  labourers  now  employed  on  them  from  year  to  year  to 
the  same  tenants,  at  about  50  dollars  for  a man  & his  wife,  the  tenant 
feeding  & clothing  them  & paying  their  taxes  & those  of  the  land,  which 
are  very  trifling.  The  lands  to  be  leased  for  7 years  or  more,  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1794 


184 


laborers  only  from  year  to  year,  to  begin  next  November.  I would  like 
the  farms  to  be  not  less  than  aoo  acres,  because  such  a farmer  would 
probably  like  to  hire  a man  & his  wife  as  labourers,  I have  mentioned 
these  circumstances  to  you,  because  I have  understood  that  tenants  might 
probably  be  got  from  Maryland,  and  perhaps  it  would  be  agreeable  to 
you  to  engage  some  of  your  acquaintances  to  go  & settle  so  near  where 
you  will  be.  Perhaps  you  could  inform  me  in  what  other  part  of 
Maryland  or  the  neighboring  States  tenants  might  be  more  probably 
found,  and  I should  willingly  incur  the  expense  of  having  them  sought 
for.  Your  assistance  in  this  would  particularly  oblige  me.  I would 
ease  the  rent  of  the  first  year,  that  the  tenant  might  get  himself  under 
way  with  as  few  difficulties  as  possible,  but  I should  propose  restrictions 
against  cultivating  too  great  a quantity  of  Indian  corn. 

In  expectation  of  hearing  from  you  immediately  I am.  Sir, 

Your  humble  scv*, 
Th:  Jefferson. 

P.  S.  There  is  a market  for  wheat,  rye,  &c,  in  two  little  towns  on  each 
side  of  my  lands,  neither  more  than  two  miles  & half  distant.  (Massa- 
chusetts Historical  Collection,  The  Jefferson  Papers  (Boston,  1900), 
Seventh  Series,  i ; 43-46.  Hereafter  cited  as  Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H. 
C.) 

The  following  agreement  was  drawn  up  between  Jefferson 
and  Mr.  Biddle,  probably  towards  the  close  of  the  month. 
There  was  no  date  written  in.  Mr.  Biddle  arrived  at  the 
stated  time. 

It  is  agreed  between  mr  Samuel  Biddle  & myself  that  he  shall  over- 
look certain  parts  of  my  affairs  in  Virginia  as  explained  in  a letter  to 
him  Dec.  la,  1792.  for  which  I am  to  pay  him  one  hundred  & twenty 
dollars  a year,  his  wages  are  to  begin  the  1®*  day  of  September  next,  & 
he  is  to  proceed  to  Virginia  about  the  middle  of  October,  he  is  to  carry 
his  bedding.  I promised  to  provide  him  half  a dozen  fly  chairs,  a table, 
pot  etc.  the  carpenters  to  fix  up  little  conveniences  for  him,  to  find  him 
a horse,  5 or  600  w‘.  of  pork,  or  rather  mutton  etc.  equivalent.  {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


From  the  Account  Book  ijg  1—1803: 

May  17.  Francis  for  earth  for  garden  8/2. 

May  17.  drayage  for  olive  trees  2/6, 

May  17.  p*  Morris  for  plants  i.  D. 

May  22.  p*  drayage  of  Olive  & Caper  plants  .23. 
July  8.  p*  at  Grey’s  garden  .195. 


1793 


1793." 

Octob.  gave  a greendressing  of  tob“.  suckers  to  the  three 
Westernmost  squares  of  the  garden,  trenching 
them  lo.I.  deep  & a.f.  wide  at  intervals  of  2 feet, 
filling  the  trenches  with  green  suckers  and  cover- 
ing them  over  with  earth. 

covered  the  three  terrasses  of  Asparagus  under 
the  garden  wall  with  a thick  coat  of  tobacco 
suckers,  & on  that  a thick  coat  of  well  rotted  dog.® 

" 1793'  Jefferson  continued  in  office  as  Secretary  of  State 
until  the  end  of  this  year.  President  Washington  had  urged 
him  to  remain  in  office  longer,  but  Jefferson  was  unyielding  in 
his  determination  to  resign.  He  had  planned  to  retire  on 
September  30,  since  this  was  the  end  of  the  quarterly  accounts 
of  the  Government,  but  Washington,  feeling  the  need  for 
more  time  to  select  his  successor,  urged  him  to  stay  until  De- 
cember 3 1 . He  agreed  to  do  so,  with  the  permission  to  go  to 
Monticello  during  the  early  fall  to  look  after  his  private 
affairs.  Jefferson  and  his  daughter  Maria  arrived  at  Monti- 
cello on  September  25  and  remained  until  October  25.  This 
was  his  only  visit  to  Monticello  during  the  year. 

This  year  in  many  ways  was  a disagreeable  one  for  Jeffer- 
son. His  enemies  continued  their  abuses.  The  war  between 
France  and  England  confronted  him  with  many  vexatious 
problems  of  neutrality,  and  he  was  involved  in  a long  con- 
troversy about  Edmond  C.  Genet,  the  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
sent  by  the  new  French  Republic  to  the  United  States.  And 
towards  the  end  of  the  year  the  fearful  outbreak  of  yellow 

185 


l86  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  Ci793 

fever  in  Philadelphia  killed  hundreds  of  its  citizens  and  drove 
from  the  city  a large  majority  of  those  spared.  It  was  soon 
after  the  outbreak  of  fever  that  Jefferson  and  his  daughter 
left  Philadelphia  for  Montkello. 

There  was  but  one  entry  in  the  Garden  Book  for  the  year. 
Jefferson  was  not  idle,  however,  for  his  letters  show  that  he 
was  making  elaborate  plans  for  the  development  of  his  farms. 
He  wrote  to  Mrs.  Randolph  from  Philadelphia  on  July  7: 
“My  head  has  been  so  full  of  farming  since  I have  found  it 
necessary  to  prepare  a plan  for  my  manager  that  I could  not 
resist  the  addressing  my  last  weekly  letters  to  Mr,  Randolph 
and  boring  him  with  my  plans.”  Jefferson  was  enthusiastic 
about  a new  model  for  a threshing  machine  which  he  was  to 
receive  from  Mr.  Thomas  Pinckney,  United  States  Minister 
to  Great  Britain,  and  showed  considerable  concern  when  it 
was  delayed.  There  is  no  mention  of  olives  and  rice  this 
year.  Probably  the  war  between  France  and  England  had 
delayed  shipments  to  such  an  extent  that  a passage  could  not 
be  found  for  plants. 

Mr.  Samuel  Biddle,  of  Elkton,  Maryland,  came  to  Monti- 
cello  as  overseer,  succeeding  a Mr.  Clarkson.  After  an  inter- 
view with  Mr.  Biddle,  Jefferson  described  him  in  a letter  to 
Mr.  Randolph  on  June  24;  “This  man  is  about  30.  years  of 
age,  of  not  a very  bright  appearance,  but  seems  to  be  docile, 
so  that  I hope  to  get  my  outlines  followed  by  him.”  Mr. 
Biddle  stayed  at  Monticello  as  overseer  until  November  i of 
the  succeeding  year.  The  problem  of  hiring  a successful  over- 
seer for  his  different  estates  was  one  which  Jefferson  never 
solved  satisfactorily.  On  May  14,  1794,  soon  after  his  re- 
tirement to  Monticello,  he  wrote  to  President  Washington, 
“I  find  on  a more  minute  examination  of  my  lands  than  the 
short  visits  heretofore  made  to  them  permitted,  that  a ten 
years’  abandonment  of  them  to  the  ravages  of  overseers,  has 
brought  on  them  a degree  of  degradation  far  beyond  what  I 
had  expected.” 

* Since  relatively  little  tobacco  is  grown  in  Albemarle  County 
. today,  this  kind  of  greendressing  is  not  used.  This  is  the  first 
mention  that  the  vegetable  garden  was  divided  into  squares. 


1793] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


187 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1793 

The  following  letters  and  extracts  of  letters  show  to  what 
extent  Jefferson’s  “head  had  been  so  full  of  farming.” 

(Benjamin  Hawkins  to  Jefferson.) 

February  i,  1793. 

I send  you  your  share  of  the  bent  grass,  so  much  valued  by  Mr.  Bas- 
sett. I have  sent  the  half  of  the  remainder  to  the  President.  {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  M.  H.  S.)  [See  Garden  Book,  “Objects  for  the  farm, 
I794i”  for  mention  of  this  grass.] 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Mar,  3.  I793> 

...  I informed  you  in  my  last  of  a scheme  I had  of  leasing  my  lands 
on  the  Shadwell  side  of  the  river,  since  that  I have  learned  that  about 
the  same  time  two  persons  from  the  Head  of  Elk  (the  neighborhood 
where  I was  endeavoring  to  procure  tenants)  set  out  to  examine  my 
lands  in  order  to  decide  for  themselves  & report  to  their  neighbors,  as 
they  went  without  any  letters  from  me,  I am  extremely  afraid,  as  they 
may  get  into  hands  which  may  mislead  them  and  on  their  return,  throw 
cold  water  on  an  operation  which  bid  fair  to  succeed  to  any  extent  1 
might  have  chosen  to  carry  it.  I wish  my  letter  to  you  may  have  got  to 
hand  in  time  for  their  arrival.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Mar.  24.  1793. 

. . . how  do  my  young  chestnut  trees?  how  comes  on  your  garden? 
how  fare  the  fruit  blossoms  etc.  I sent  to  mr  Randolph,  I think,  some 
seed  of  the  Bent-grass  which  is  so  much  extolled.  I now  enclose  you 
some  seed  which  mr  Hawkins  gave  me,  the  name  of  which  I have  for- 
gotten; but  1 dare  say  it  is  worth  attention.  I therefore  turn  it  over  to 
you,  as  I should  hope  not  to  reap  what  would  be  planted  here.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  Apr.  28,  1793. 

Yours  of  the  12th  inst  is  received  and  1 will  duly  attend  to  your  com- 
mission relative  to  the  ploughs.  We  have  had  su^  constant  deluges  of 
rain  & bad  weather  for  some  time  past  that  1 have  not  yet  been  able  to 
go  to  Dr.  Logan’s  to  make  the  enquiries  you  desire,  but  I will  do  it 
soon.  . . . (Ford,  Jef arson  7:  301.) 


i88 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1793 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  May  5.  93. 

No  letter  from  you  since  that  of  Apr.  12, — I received  one  from  Mr. 
Pinckney  yesterday  informing  me  he  expected  to  send  me  by  the  next 
ship  a model  of  the  Threshing  mill.  He  had  been  out  to  see  one  work, 
which  with  2.  horses  got  out  8.  bushels  of  ruheat  an  hour.  But  he  was 
assured  that  the  mill  from  which  my  model  was  taken  gets  out  8 quarters 
(i.e.  64  bushels)  of  oats  an  hour  with  4.  horses.  I have  seen  Dr.  Logan. 
Your  ploughs  will  be  done  in  a week  & shall  be  attended  to.  . . . (Ford, 
Jefferson  7:  307-308.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  May  19,  1793. 

...  I expect  every  day  to  receive  from  Mr.  Pinckney  the  model  of 
the  Scotch  threshing  machine.  It  was  to  have  come  in  a ship  which  ar- 
rived three  weeks  ago,  but  the  workman  had  not  quite  finished  it.  Mr. 
P.  writes  me  word  that  the  machine  from  which  my  model  is  taken, 
threshes  eight  quarters  (sixty-four  bushels)  of  oats  an  hour,  with  four 
horses  and  four  men.  I hope  to  get  it  in  time  to  have  one  erected  at 
Monticcllo  to  clean  out  the  present  crop.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson g!  98.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  May  26,  1793. 

. . . We  are  in  sight  both  of  Bartram’s  & Gray’s  gardens,  but  have 
the  river  between  them  & us.  . . , (Ford,  Jefferson  7;  344.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  June  2,  1793. 

. . . Bartram  is  extremely  anxious  to  get  a large  supply  of  seeds  of 
the  Kentucky  Coffee  tree.  I told  him  I would  use  all  my  interest  with 
vou  to  obtain  it,  as  I think  I heard  you  say  that  some  neighbors  of  yours 
had  a large  number  of  trees.  Be  so  good  as  to  take  measures  for  bring- 
mg  a good  quantity,  if  possible,  to  Bartram  when  you  come  to  Congress. 

. . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  107.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  June  a,  1793. 

• • > We  have  had  here  for  a considerable  time  past  true  winter 
weaker,  quite  cold  enough  for  white  frost.  Though  that  accident  has 
not  happened,  fires  are  still  kept  up,  having  been  intermitted  only  for 


1793] 


Jeffbrson’s  Garden  Book 


189 


short  intervals  of  very  hot  weather.  I have  not  yet  received  my  model 
of  the  threshing  mill.  I wish  it  may  come  in  time  for  the  present  crop ; 
after  so  mild  a winter  as  the  last  we  must  expect  weavil.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  109.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  June  9,  1793. 

. . . Your  ploughs  shall  be  duly  attended  to.  Have  you  ever  taken 
notice  of  Tull’s  horse-houghing  plough?  I am  persuaded  that  where 
you  wish  your  work  to  be  very  exact,  and  our  great  plough  where  a less 
degree  will  suffice,  leave  us  nothing  to  wish  for  from  other  countries  as 
to  ploughs,  under  our  circumstances.  I have  not  yet  received  my  thresh- 
ing machine.  I fear  the  late,  long,  and  heavy  rains  must  have  extended 
to  us,  and  affected  our  wheat.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  121.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

June,  1793. 

. . . The  motion  of  my  blood  no  longer  keeps  time  with  the  tumult 
of  the  world.  It  leads  me  to  seek  happiness  in  the  lap  and  love  of  my 
family,  in  the  society  of  my  neighbors  and  my  books,  in  the  wholesome 
occupations  of  my  farms  and  my  affairs,  in  an  interest  er  affection  in 
every  bud  that  opens,  in  every  breath  that  blows  around  me,  in  an  entire 
freedom  of  rest,  of  motion,  of  thought — owing  account  to  myself  alone 
of  my  hours  and  actions.  . . . (Randolph,  Jefferson:  218—219.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  June  loth,  1793. 

...  I sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  arrival  of  the  mocking-bird. 
Learn  all  the  children  to  venerate  it  as  a superior  being  in  the  form  of  a 
bird,  or  as  a being  which  will  haunt  them  if  any  harm  is  done  to  itself 
or  its  egp.  I shall  hope  that  the  multiplication  of  the  cedar  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  of  trees  and  shrubs  round  the  house,  will  attract 
more  of  them ; for  they  like  to  be  in  the  neighborhood  of  our  habitations 
if  they  furnish  cover.  . . , (Randolph,  Jefferson:  221.) 

(Jefferson  to  Gouverneur  Morris.) 

Philadelphia,  June  13,  1793. 

. . . Though  our  spring  has  been  cold  and  wet,  yet  the  crops  of  small 
grain  are  as  promising  as  they  have  ever  been  seen.  The  Hessian  fly, 
however,  to  the  north,  and  the  weavil  to  the  south  of  the  Potomac,  will 
probably  abridge  the  quantity.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Ber^,  Jefferson  g: 
125.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1793 


190 


(Thomas  Mana  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  June  13:  1793. 

You  will  observe  by  the  abstract  of  my  diary  that  we  have  had  an  un- 
common proportion  of  rainy  weather  this  spring;  our  fields  of  wheat  and 
rye  from  this  will  give  a smaller  and  a meaner  product  than  we  have 
hitherto  expected  from  them.  The  plants,  where  they  were  late  and 
stood  close,  have  “lodged"  as  the  farmers  term  it  and  of  course  cannot 
perfect  the  grain;  where  this  has  not  happened  many  of  the  grains  in 
every  head  appear  to  me  to  be  of  smaller  size  than  usual,  altho’  the 
plants  themselves  are  much  larger  than  the  same  soil  would  produce^  in 
an  ordinary  year.  There  cannot,  well,  be  too  much  rain  for  the  Indian 
corn,  but  the  weather  has  been  so  cold  that  it  is  but  little  advanced  for 
the  season ; the  last  8 or  10  days  however  have  been  so  favorable,  and  it 
has  improved  so  much  in  that  time,  that  we  expect  an  abundant  recolte. 
We  have  not  prospered  in  our  garden  this  year  altho,  for  the  first 
time,  our  exertions  have  been  sufficiently  great.  Our  young  vegetables 
have  been  separated  from  the  root  under  ground  by  grubs,  or  eaten  in 
the  seed-leaf  by  a very  minute  tribe  of  grasshopper,  and  two  species  of 
still  more  minute  volatile  insects,  or  devoured  in  whole  squares  when 
farther  advanced  by  immence  swarms  of  insects  resembling  a good  deal 
the  fire-fly  tho  wanting  its  phosphorus.  Having  once  had  some  little 
technical  knowledge  in  Entomology  I felt  a curiosity  to  ascertain  the 
families  to  which  these  different  insects  belong  but  from  the  insufficiency 
of  Linnaeuses  descriptions  and  the  smallness  of  the  subjects  I have  not 
been  able  to  satisfy  it.  The  earth  is  alive  with  these  creatures  this 
summer  owing  I suppose  to  their  being  spared  by  the  frost  last  winter. 
. , . {^Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  June  24.  1793. 

. . . The  person  engaged  for  me  as  a manager,  came  up  from  Elk- 
ton*  to  see  me  last  week.  He  is  not  yet  certain  on  the  subject  of 
tenants,  his  mother,  who  had  decided  to  go  as  one,  having  met  an  ad- 
vantageous situation  at  home,  & his  cousin,  whom  I formerly  wrote  you 
was  gone  to  see  the  place,  having  been  intercepted  by  another  offer.  He 
still  thinks  he  shall  get  some,  & is  to  let  me  know  definitively  by  the  last 
of  August.  The  time  of  the  tenant’s  removing  in  Maryland  is  not  til 
March.  This  man  is  about  30.  years  of  age,  of  not  a very  bright  ap- 
pearance, but  seems  to  be  docile,  so  that  1 hope  to  get  my  outlines  fol- 
lowed by  him.  He  agrees  in  condemning  Indian  corn  & hogs,  and  in 
preferring  the  potatoe  and  clover  to  every  other  means  of  feeding  all 
kinds  of  stock,  even  horses.  If  he  does  not  get  tenants  for  my  lands  on 
the  East  side  of  the  river  I shall  perhaps  propose  to  Clarkson  to  go  there, 

*June  18.  p*  Samuel  Biddle  his  expense  from  & to  Elkton  5.  D. 
(Account  Book 


1793] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


191 


unless  I could  find  a person  more  kind  to  the  labourers  & with  a smaller 
family.  ...  I begin  to  be  uneasy  at  not  receiving  my  threshing  machine. 
It  cannot  now  be  on  time  for  this  harvest.  My  fear  is  that  it  may  have 
been  in  some  vessel  which  is  captured.  I condole  with  you  on  the  mis- 
fortunes of  your  garden.  From  a feeling  of  self  interest  I would  pro- 
pose a great  provision  of  Celery  plants  to  be  made.  (Ford,  Jefferson  7: 
409-410.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Washington.) 

Philadelphia,  June  a8,  1793. 

I should  have  taken  time  ere  this  to  have  considered  the  observations 
of  Mr.  Young,  could  I at  this  place  have  done  it  in  such  a way  as  would 
satisfy  either  him  or  myself.  When  I wrote  the  notes  of  the  last  year, 
I had  never  before  thought  of  calculating  what  were  the  profits  of  a 
capital  invested  in  Virginia  agriculture.  Yet  that  appeared  to  be  what 
Mr.  Young  most  desired.  Lest  therefore,  no  other  of  those,  whom  you 
consulted  for  him,  should  attempt  such  a calculation,  I did  it ; but  being 
at  such  a distance  from  the  country  of  which  I wrote,  and  having  been 
absent  from  that  and  from  the  subject  in  consideration  many  years,  I 
could  only,  for  facts,  recur  to  my  own  recollection,  weakened  by  time 
and  very  different  applications,  and  I had  no  means  here  of  correcting 
my  facts.  I,  therefore,  hazarded  the  calculation  rather  as  an  essay  of  the 
mode  of  calculating  the  profits  of  a Virginia  estate,  than  as  an  operation 
which  was  to  be  ultimately  relied  on.  When  I went  last  to  Virginia  I 
put  the  press-copy  of  those  notes  into  the  hands  of  the  most  skilful  and 
successful  farmer  in  the  part  of  the  country  of  which  I wrote.  He 
omitted  to  return  them  to  me,  which  adds  another  impediment  to  my 
resuming  the  subject  here;  but,  indeed,  if  I had  them,  I could  only  pre- 
sent the  same  facts,  with  some  corrections  and  some  justifications  of  the 
principles  of  calculation.  This  would  not  and  ought  not  to  satisfy  Mr. 
Young.  When  I return  home  I shall  have  time  and  opportunity  of 
answering  Mr,  Young's  enquiries  fully.  1 will  first  establish  the  facts 
as  adapted  to  the  present  times,  and  not  to  those  to  which  I was  obliged 
to  recur  by  recollection,  and  I will  make  the  calculation  on  rigorous 
principles.  The  delay  necessary  for  this  will  I hope  be  compensated  by 
giving  something  which  no  endeavors  on  my  part  shall  be  wanting  to 
make  it  worthy  of  confidence.  In  the  meantime  Mr.  Young  must  not 
pronounce  too  hastily  on  the  impossibility  of  an  annual  production  of 
£750  worth  of  wheat  coupled  with  a cattle  product  of  £125.  My  ob- 
ject was  to  state  the  produce  of  a good  farm,  under  good  husbandry  as 
practiced  in  my  part  of  the  country.  Manure  does  not  enter  into  this, 
because  we  can  buy  an  acre  of  new  land  cheaper  than  we  can  manure  an 
old  acre.  Good  husbandry  with  us  consists  in  abandoning  Indian  corn 
and  tobacco,  tending  small  grain,  some  red  clover  following,  and  en- 
deavoring to  have,  while  the  lands  are  at  rest,  a spontaneous  cover  of 
white  clover.  I do  not  present  this  as  a culture  judicious  in  itself,  but 
as  good  in  comparison  with  what  most  people  there  pursue.  Mr.  Young 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1793 


192 


has  never  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  how  slowly  the  fertility  of  the 
original  soil  is  exhausted.  With  moderate  management  of  it,  I can 
affirm  that  the  James  river  lowgrounds  with  the  cultivation  of  small 
grain,  will  never  be  exhausted ; because  we  know  that  under  that  culti- 
vation we  must  now  and  then  take  them  down  with  Indian  corn,  or  they 
become,  as  they  were  originally,  too  rich  to  bring  wheat.  The  high- 
lands, where  I live  have  been  cultivated  about  sixty  years.  The  culture 
was  tobacco  and  Indian  corn  as  long  as  they  would  bring  enough  to  pay 
labor.  Then  they  were  turned  out.  After  four  or  five  years  rest  they 
would  bring  good  corn  again,  and  in  double  that  time  perhaps  good 
tobacco.  Then  they  would  be  exhausted  by  a second  series  of  tobacco 
and  corn.  Latterly  we  have  be^n  to  cultivate  small  grain;  and  ex- 
cluding Indian  corn,  and  following,  such  of  them  as  were  originally 
good,  soon  rise  up  fifteen  or  twenty  bushels  the  acre.  We  allow  that 
every  laborer  will  manage  ten  acres  of  wheat,  except  at  harvest.  I have 
no  doubt  but  the  coupling  cattle  and  sheep  with  this  would  prodigiously 
improve  the  produce.  This  improvement  Mr.  Young  will  be  better 
able  to  calculate  than  anybody  dse.  I am  well  satisfied  of  it  myself, 
that  having  engaged  a good  farmer  from  the  head  of  Elk,  (the  style  of 
farming  there  you  know  well,)  I mean  in  a farm  of  about  500  acres  of 
cleared  land  and  with  a dozen  laborers  to  try  the  plan  of  wheat,  rye, 
potatoes,  clover,  with  a mixture  of  some  Indian  corn  with  the  potatoes, 
and  to  push  the  number  of  sheep.  This  last  hint  I have  taken  from 
Mr.  Young’s  letters  which  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  communicate  to 
me.  I have  never  before  considered  with  due  attention  the  profit  from 
that  animal.  I shall  not  be  able  to  put  the  farm  into  that  form  exactly 
the  ensuing  autumn,  but  against  another  I hope  I shall,  and  I shall  at- 
tend with  precision  to  the  measures  of  the  ground  and  of  the  product, 
which  may  perhaps  give  you  something  to  communicate  to  Mr.  Young 
which  may  gratify  him,  but  I will  furnish  the  ensuing  winter  what  was 
desired  in  Mr.  Young's  letter  of  Jan,  17,  1793.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  139-143.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

June  ag.  1793. 

...  As  I must  ere  long  put  my  general  plan  of  farming  into  the  hands 
of  my  Elkton  manager,  I have  lately  endeavored  to  establish  a proper 
succession  of  crops  for  a farm  of  red  highland  of  about  500.  acres  of 
open  land  fit  for  culture,  in  all  successions  of  crops,  the  feilds  must  be 
supposed  equal,  each  feild  to  go  through  the  same  succession,  and  each 
year’s  crop  be  the  same,  on  these  data  the  laws  of  combination  pro- 
nounce that  the  number  of  feilds  Sc  number  of  years  constituting  a com- 
pleat  rotation,  must  be  always  equal,  if  you  cultivate  three  equal  feilds 
only,  your  rotation  will  be  of  3.  years,  5.  feilds.  5 years  and  I suppose  8 
feilds  of  60.  acres  each,  & of  course  an  8.  years  rotation,  in  the  following 
sujxession.  i*^.  year  wheat  & fall  fallow,  a*,  peas  with  Ind”.  corn 
thinly  planted.  3”*.  wheat  & fall  fallow.  4^''.  potatoes  with  Ind®.  corn 


1793] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


193 


thinly  planted.  5***  rye,  k fall  fallows.  6*'‘.  7*\  8*^  red  clover,  the  fol- 
lowing diagram  will  show  the  system  better,  the  initials  of  every  article 
only  being  written  in  each  square  or  feild.  to  wit. 

cl.  for  clover 
CO.  com 
f.  fallow 
pe.  peas 
po.  potatoes 
r.  rye 
w.  wheat 


■ 

year 

year 

3'- 

year 

4“ 

year 

year 

year 

7*^. 

year 

8“*. 

year 

B 

w.  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

w.  f. 

po. 

CO. 

B 

m 

cl. 

m 

B. 

pc. 

CO. 

w.  f. 

po. 

CO. 

m 

d. 

d. 

d. 

w.  f. 

C. 

w.  f. 

po. 

CO. 

r.f. 

d. 

cl. 

cl. 

w.  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

D. 

po, 

CO. 

ml 

d. 

d. 

d. 

W.f. 

pe- 

CO. 

w,  f. 

E. 

m 

d« 

d. 

cL 

w*  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

w,  f. 

po. 

CO. 

H 

cl. 

cl. 

d. 

w.  f. 

pc. 

CO. 

w.  f- 

po. 

CO. 

m 

G* 

d. 

d. 

V,  f* 

pc, 

CO, 

w.  f. 

po. 

CO, 

B 

cl. 

H. 

cl. 

w.  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

B 

po. 

CO. 

■ 

d. 

cl. 

this  gives  2.  feilds  of  wheat  120  acres 

1.  of  rye  60 

1.  of  peas  & corn  60 

I.  of  potatoes  & corn  60 

I.  of  the  i*‘  year’s  clover  60 

I.  2^  d®.  60 

1.  d®.  60 


also  2.  eighths  of  your  farm  are  cleansing] 

3.  eighths fallowing 

3.  eighths resting 


480 


every  year 


8. 


Jbfferson’s  Gakoen  Book 


[1793 


194 

bye  articles  as  follow 

oats  & flax,  a few  acres  only  wanting, 
to  be  with  the  new  sown  clover, 
hemp,  turneps,  pumpkins,  in  the  new  clearings, 
artidiokes  in  a perpetual  feild. 

orchard  grass  in  the  hill  sides  too  steep  for  the  plough,  qu? 
Lucerne,  foin,  cotton,  in  appropriate  feilds. 
buckwheat  to  be  ploughed  into  the  washed  lands. 

As  you  are  now  immersed  in  farming  & among  farming  people,  pray 
consider  this  plan  for  me,  well,  and  give  me  your  observations  fully  & 
freely  as  soon  as  you  can.  I mean  to  ask  the  same  from  the  President, 
and  also  from  my  son  in  law.  cattle  to  be  raised  in  proportion  to  the 
provision  made  for  them,  also  what  number  of  labourers  Sc  horses  will 
be  necessary?  errors  ate  so  much  more  easy  to  avoid  than  to  correct 
afterwards  that  I am  anxious  to  be  well  advised  before  I begin.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers^  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  June  30.  1793. 

. . . My  last  letter  to  you  was  on  the  subject  of  my  farm,  this  will 
be  so  also,  the  approach  of  the  season  of  preparation  for  another  year 
has  rendered  it  necessary  for  me  to  consider  for  some  time  past  what  is 
to  be  the  plan  of  farming  I am  to  take  up,  and  to  give  to  my  new  roan* 
ager  for  his  government.  I will  suppose  my  farm  at  Monticello  to  fur- 
nish 500.  acres  of  land  open,  and  capable  of  producing,  in  all  succes- 
sions of  crops,  the  fields  must  be  supposed  equal,  each  feild  to  go  through 
the  same  succession,  & each  year’s  crop  to  be  the  same,  these  funda- 
mentals being  laid  down,  the  laws  of  combinations  decide  inflexibly  that 
the  number  of  feilds,  & number  of  years  constituting  the  compleat  ro- 
tation must  be  always  equal,  if  your  rotation  is  of  3.  years,  you  must 
have  3.  feilds,  if  of  5.  years  S-  feilds  etc.  I propose  to  adopt  the  follow- 
ing rotation,  i'*.  year,  wheat  & fall-fallow.  2*.  peas  with  Indian  corn 
thinly  interspersed.  3'*.  wheat  & fall  fallow.  potatoes  with  Indian 
corn  thinly  interspersed.  5*.  rye,  or  barley  and  a fall  fallow.  6*’*.  7“*. 
S’**,  red  dover.  this  occupying  8.  years,  will  require  8.  feilds,  which  of 
course  will  be  of  60.  acres  each,  the  following  diagram  will  shew  the 
system  better,  the  initials  of  every  artide  only  being  written  in  eadh 
square  or  feild,  to  wit. 


d.  for  dover 
CO.  - - corn 
f.  - - fallow 
pe.  - - peas 
po,  - - potatoes 
r.  - - rye  or  barl^ 
w.  - - wheat 


1793] 


JrFFERSoN’s  Garden  Book 


195 


■ 

year 

m 

19 

4 • 
year 

S***- 

year 

6® 

year 

7* 

year 

8**. 

year 

B 

w.  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

w.  f. 

po. 

CO. 

r.  f. 

B 

cl. 

cl. 

B. 

pe. 

CO. 

w.f. 

po. 

CO. 

B 

cl. 

cl. 

c). 

w.  f. 

H 

w.  f. 

po. 

CO. 

r.f. 

d. 

cl. 

cl. 

w.  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

D. 

po. 

CO, 

r.f. 

cl. 

ci. 

cl. 

w.  f. 

pe, 

CO. 

w,  f. 

K 

r.  f. 

cl. 

cl. 

cl. 

w.  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

■W.  f. 

po, 

CO. 

B 

cl. 

cl. 

cl. 

w.  f. 

pe. 

CO. 

w.f. 

po. 

CO. 

r.  f. 

G. 

cl. 

cl. 

w,  f. 

pc. 

CO. 

w,  f. 

po. 

CO. 

r.f. 

cl. 

H. 

cl. 

B 

pe. 

CO. 

w.  f. 

po. 

CO. 

r.f. 

cl. 

Bl 

this  gives  2. 

fields  of  wheat 

120. 

1. 

rye  or  barley 

60. 

I. 

peas  & corn 

60. 

I. 

potatoes  & corn 
of  year’s  clover 

60. 

1. 

60. 

1. 

of  a®.  d“.  - - 

60. 

I. 

of  3*.  d".  - - 

60. 

thus  also 

2.  eighths 

of  the  farm  are  cleansing] 

480. 

3.  eighths 

■every  year 

3.  eighths 

8 

the  following  bye-artides. 

oats  & flax,  a few  acres  only  wanting,  to  be  with  the  new  sown 
dover. 

Hemp,  turncps,  pumpkins,  in  the  new  dearings. 

Artidiokes  in  a perpetual  feild. 

Orchard  grass  in  the  hill  sides  too  steep  for  the  plough,  qu? 

Lucerne,  foin  in  appropriate  feilds. 

Buckwheat  to  be  ploughed  into  worn  lands. 

When  a 9**^  feild  shall  be  added  by  new  clearings,  insert  it  in  the  ro- 
tation, as  a feild  of  absolute  rest,  or  pasture,  or  fallow,  so  of  a 10^, 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1793 


196 

feild  etc.  such  a farm  will  well  maintain  150.  cattle,  which  properly 
attended  to  will  make  manure  enough  for  one  feild  every  year.  I sup- 
pose 5 ploughs  & pair  of  horses,  will  do  the  business  of  such  a farm,  as 
in  the  Wrongest  season,  which  is  that  of  seeding  & fallowing,  there  will 
be  6.  feilds  (say  360.  acres)  to  plou^.  I have  troubled  you  with  these 
details  with  a view  to  trouble  you  further  to  give  me  your  observations 
fully  & freely  on  all  the  particulars.  I am  too  little  familiar  with  the 
practice  of  farming  to  rely  with  confidence  on  my  own  judgment,  and  in 
engaging  in  a plan  of  rotation  it  is  material  to  set  out  right,  as  it  is  so 
much  easier  to  correct  a mis-combination  before  it  is  begun,  than  after 
one  is  embarked  in  it.  I am  asking  the  observations  of  2.  or  3.  other 
friends  in  like  manner  and  on  receiving  the  whole,  shall  proceed  to  fix 
my  rotation  permanently,  and  put  it  into  the  hands  of  my  manager,  the 
produce  of  an  acre  of  peas,  in  drills,  (because  it  is  to  cleanse  the  ground) 
I am  unacquainted  with,  also  what  number  of  constant  hands  will 
suifice  for  such  a farm,  supposing  them  men  & women  in  equal  num- 
bers? I presume  that  each  may  be  substituted  for  half  the  horses.  I 
will  ask  as  early  an  answer  to  this  as  you  can  give  satisfactorily.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  George  Logan.) 

July  I.  1793. 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  friendly  compliments  to  Dr.  Logan,  hav- 
ing engaged  a good  farmer  to  go  and  put  one  of  his  plantations  in  Vir- 
ginia into  a regular  course  of  farming  & being  about  to  give  him  his 
plans,  he  takes  the  liberty  of  submitting  it  to  Dr.  Logan,  in  whose  ex- 
perience & judgment  he  has  great  confidence,  he  begs  him  to  favor  him 
with  his  observations  on  it,  freely  & as  fully  in  writing  as  his  leisure  will 
permit,  he  is  himself  but  a 13^:0  in  agriculture,  and  it  being  of  great 
importance  to  set  out  right  in  plans  de  longue  haleine,  he  hopes  it  will 
be  his  excuse  with  Dr.  Logan  for  the  trouble  he  gives  him.  what  num- 
ber of  constant  labourers  (men  & women  in  equal  number)  would  not  a 
farm  require? — if  sheep,  instead  of  cattle  should  be  made  the  principal 
object,  what  number  of  sheep  are  equivalent  to  a given  number  of  cattle 
old  & young,  for  making  manure?  Th:  J.  is  desirous  of  substituting 
sheep  for  cattle  to  as  great  an  extent  as  a true  calculation  of  interest  will 
admit,  Mr.  Young’s  writings  are  so  voluminous  one  cannot  think  of 
buying  the  whole,  which  of  them  must  one  buy,  in  order  to  have  every 
thing  useful  which  he  has  written?  for  it  is  apprehended  that  many  of 
his  volumes  are  mere  repetitions  of  that  is  to  be  found  in  the  others. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  July  7th,  1873. 

, . . My  head  has  been  so  full  of  farming  since  1 have  found  it  neces- 
sary to  prepare  a place  for  my  manager,  that  1 could  not  resist  the  ad- 
dresang  my  last  weekly  letters  to  Mr.  Randolph  and  boring  him  with 


1793] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


197 


my  plans.  ...  I never  before  knew  the  full  value  of  trees.  My  house 
is  entirely  embossomed  in  high  plane-trees,  with  good  grass  below ; and 
under  them  I breakfast,  dine,  write,  read,  and  receive  my  company. 
What  would  I not  give  that  the  trees  planted  nearest  round  the  house  at 
Monticello  were  full-grown.  (Randolph,  Jefferson;  221-222.} 

(Thomas  Mann  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  July  ii,  1793. 

...  I send  you  now  the  scheme  of  cultivation  which  I formed  last 
year  and  am  adopting  at  Edgehill.  . . . You  will  observe  that  it  differs 
from  yours  in  four  principal  points.  First  there  are  two  distinct  sys- 
tems intended  to  be  coexistent.  2^.  the  years  of  rest  are  not  succes- 
sive. 3'^.  white  clover  is  substituted  for  red;  (a  consequence  of  the 


3** 

a*. 

3*- 

4“’. 

5^ 

6«>. 

mm 

8*. 

Years 

No,  I. 

Corn 

& 

Peas 

Wheat 

Fallow 

Wheat 

Pas- 

ture 

Com 

& 

Pota- 

toes 

Rye 

Pas- 

ture 

Fields 

of 

60 

acres 

■ 

Wheat 

Fallow 

Wheat 

Pas. 

ture 

Corn 

St 

Pota- 

toes 

Rye 

Past. 

Corn 

& 

Peas 

3- 

Fallow 

Wheat 

Past. 

Corn 

& 

Pota- 

toes 

Rye 

Past. 

Com 

& 

Peas 

Wheat 

■ 

Wheat 

Pas- 

ture 

Com 

& 

Pota. 

toes 

Rye 

Past 

Corn 

& 

Peas 

Wheat 

Fall. 

5- 

Pas- 

ture 

Corn 

& 

Pota- 

toes 

Rye 

Past, 

Corn 

& 

Peas 

Wheat 

FaU. 

Wheat 

6. 

Corn 

& 

Pota- 

toes 

Rye 

Past. 

Corn 

& 

Peas 

Wheat 

Fall. 

Wheat 

Past 

■ 

Rye 

Past. 

Corn 

& 

Peas 

Wheat 

Fall. 

Wheat 

Past 

Corn 

& 

Pota- 

toes 

8. 

Pas. 

ture 

Corn 

& 

Peas 

Wheat 

Fallow 

Wheat 

Past 

Com 

& 

Pota- 

toes 

Rye 

Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1793 


198 


X". 

WBM 

mm 

a"-. 

5*. 

6*. 

Years 

No.i. 

Pumpldns 

Barley 

Qover 

Clover 

Turnips 

Oats 

Fields  of 
10  acres 

2. 

Barley 

Clover 

Clover 

Turnips 

Oats 

Pnmpldns 

3- 

Clover 

Clover 

Turnips 

Oats 

Pumpkins 

Barley 

4- 

Clover 

Turnips 

Oats 

Pumpkins 

Barley 

Clover 

5- 

Turnips 

Oats 

Pumpldns 

Barley 

Clover 

Qover 

6. 

Oats 

Pump. 

Barley 

Clover 

Clover 

Turnips 

a'*.}  one  field  undergoes  a summer  fallow*  I shall  endeavor  in 
my  next  to  give  my  reasons  for  these.  The  system  for  small  fields  I 
think  you  will  adopt.  The  other  & yours  I myself  am  ballancing.  Be- 
sides the  division  of  my  farms  which  this  scheme  will  require  I have  set 
aside  a well-watered  valley  for  a standing  meadow.  It  is  necessary  to 
break  up  meadow  grounds  once  in  5 or  6 years,  & this  5“.  or  6“*.  part 
of  mine  ruled  [ ?]  for  hemp  & flax  which,  with  us,  thrive  no  where  so 
well  as  in  the  flat  grounds  on  our  little  streams.  You  will  see  that  they 
are  not  included  in  the  rotation.  Lucerne  & St.  Foin  are  too  long-lived 
for  it  The  fields  marked  pasture  I suppose  to  have  nothing  in  them 
that  is  not  spontaneous,  but  there  I mean  to  introduce  the  white  clover 
generally  as  soon  as  possible  by  sowing  it  in  the  autumn  with  the  grain. 
The  red  clover  you  observe  I prefer  sowing  with  the  Barley  in  Autumn. 
This  may  be  necessary  in  every  soil  but  in  ours  I am  convinced  it  will  do 
better  than  in  the  spring.  I suppose  it  to  be  intended  alltogether  for 
the  Scythe.  . . . 

{Jefferson  Papers.  M.  H.  S.) 
(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  July  aist,  1793. 

. . . We  had  peaches  and  Indian  corn  on  the  lath  inst.  When  do 
they  begin  with  you  this  year?  Can  you  lay  up  a good  stock  of  seed- 
peas  for  Ae  ensuing  summer?  We  will  try  this  winter  to  cover  our 
garden  with  a heavy  coating  of  manure.  When  earth  is  rich  it  bids 
defiance  to  droughts,  yields  in  abundance,  and  of  the  best  quality.  I 
suspect  that  the  insects  which  have  harassed  you  have  been  encouraged 
by  the  feebleness  of  your  plants ; and  that  has  been  produced  by  the  lean 
state  of  the  soil.  We  will  attack  them  another  year  with  joint  efforts. 
(Randolph,  Jefferson:  232.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  July  38.  1793. 

* ‘li  myself  of  the  time  I have  to  remain  here,  to  satisfy 

myself  by  enquiring  from  the  best  farmers  of  all  the  circumstances  which 


1793] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


199 


may  decide  on  the  best  rotation  of  crops;  for  I take  that  to  be  the  most 
important  of  all  the  questions  a farmer  has  to  decide.  I get  more  in- 
formation on  this  subject  from  Dr.  Logan  than  from  all  the  others  put 
together,  he  is  the  best  farmer  in  Pensylv^  both  in  theory  & practice, 
having  pursued  it  many  years  experimentally  & with  great  attention,  he 
thinks  that  the  whole  improvement  in  the  modern  agriculture  of  Eng- 
land consists  in  the  substitution  of  red  clover  instead  of  unproductive 
fallows,  he  says  that  a rotation  which  takes  in  3 years  of  red  clover  in- 
stead of  3.  years  of  fallow  or  rest,  whether  successive  or  interspersed 
leaves  the  land  much  heartier  at  the  close  of  the  rotation ; that  there  is 
no  doubt  of  this  fact,  the  difference  being  palpable,  he  thinks  it  much 
best  to  sow  it  alone  after  harvest,  for  then  it  is  in  it’s  prime  the  next 
year,  whereas  if  sown  in  the  spring  it  can  neither  be  cut  nor  pastured 
that  year,  he  takes  generally  but  the  spring  cutting,  which  yeilds  him 
a,  tons  to  the  acre,  & pastures  the  rest  of  the  year,  it  is  the  red  clover 
alone  which  has  enabled  the  English  farmer  to  raise  and  maintain  cattle 
enough  to  make  a coat  of  dung  a regular  part  of  his  rotation.  I had  at 
first  declined  the  introduction  of  red  clover  into  my  rotation  because  it 
len^ens  it  so  much:  but  I have  determined  now  to  take  it  in,  because  I 
see  it  the  source  of  such  wonderful  richness  around  this  place,  and  for  a 
Virginia  table  it  will  certainly  give  unbounded  plenty  of  meats,  milk, 
butter,  horse-food,  instead  of  being  eternally  on  the  scramble  for  them 
as  we  are  in  Virginia  for  the  want  of  winter  & summer  food.  D^ 
Logan  considers  a green-dressing  of  buckwheat  as  equal  to  a coat  of 
10.  loads  of  dung  to  the  acre.  (20  loads  to  the  acre  is  what  he  thinks 
a good  coat.)  and  as  it  is  but  5.  weeks  from  the  sowing  to  it’s  being 
fit  to  plough  in,  it  may  be  well  introduced  after  a harvest  of  small 
grain,  if  your  next  crop  is  only  to  be  put  in  in  the  spring,  after  a great 
deal  of  consultation  therefore  with  him,  we  have  arranged  my  rotation 
thus.  l“.  year,  a crop  of  Wheat,  then  a green  dressing  of  buckwheat. 
2^.  peas  & corn  mixed,  s'*,  wheat,  & after  it  a green  dressing  of  buck- 
wheat, and,  in  the  succeeding  winter  put  on  what  dung  you  have.  4*’*. 
potatoes  & corn  mixed.  5***.  rye,  & after  it  sow  red  clover.  6**^.  cut  the 
I"*,  crop  of  clover  Sc  pasture  the  2®.  7***.  pasture  the  l*‘.  crop,  and  cut 
the  2^.  this  change  gives  spring  pasture  and  eases  the  mowing.  8*^. 
pasture,  or  expressed  more  shortly 


I* 

% 

3- 

4* 

5- 

6. 

IQI 

8. 

V.  bu. 

pe. 

CO. 

w.  bu. 
d. 

po. 

CO. 

r.cl. 

cl,  ps. 

pa.  cl. 

pa. 

he  observes  that  if  it  were  not  for  the  want  of  the  8“  year’s  pasture, 
the  rotation  mii^t  close  the  7*''.  year,  and  would  then  be  clear  of  weeds 
& produce  the  heaviest  crop  of  wheat  possible:  but  he  thinks  the  rotation 
will  need  the  pasture  of  the  8‘'‘  year,  and  that  this  will  introduce  so 
many  weeds  as  to  render  an  extra  ploughing  requisite,  supposing  the 
feilds  of  60.  acres  each,  this  rotation  gives  you  9 times  60.  acres,  say 
540.  acres  to  plough  between  harvest  and  the  end  of  seed-time,  which  I 


aoo 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1793 


think  may  be  done  by  6.  ploughs  with  a pair  of  oxen  each,  especially  if  4. 
waggon  horses  are  kept  and  called  in  to  the  aid  of  the  ploughs  a part  of 
the  fSfll.  the  President  thinks  that  when  corn  & potatoes  are  mixed 
(in  drills  8.  f.  apart,  & the  stalks  of  corn  8.  f.  apart  in  the  drill)  that  ^ 
much  is  made  from  each  as  the  same  number  of  plants  would  yeild  if 
alone.  LA>gan  reckons  300.  bushels  of  potatoes  to  the  acre  an  average 
crop,  & 2.  bushels  of  potatoes  to  yeild  as  much  nutriment  as  one  of  corn, 
he  ^lows  a bushel  of  potatoes  a day  to  a fattening  ox,  & a peck  a day  to 
a work  horse,  mixing  a handful  of  bran,  or  rye-meal  with  each  to  give  it 
flavor. — he  considers  the  above  rotation  to  be  the  best  possible,  where 
you  are  confined  to  the  articles  there  mentioned,  and  that  the  land  will 
improve  very  much  under  it.  he  has  promised  however  to  study  it  still 
more  fully  for  me,  so  that  something  further  may  be  yet  done  to  it.  the 
winter-spewing  of  our  land  may  prevent  sowing  the  clover  in  the  fall 
of  the  5^“.  year.  Logan  is  making  some  experiments  to  determine 
what  number  of  sheep  are  equivalent  to  a given  number  of  cattle  as  to 
the  articles  of  dung,  food  etc.  I am  at  loss  what  standing  force  will  be 
sufficient  for  such  a rotation,  taking  gangs  of  half  men  & half  women, 
as  with  us,  I guess  we  must  allow  a hand  for  every  5.  acres  constant  of 
each  feild,  say  I a.  hands  if  the  feilds  are  of  60.  acres  each. — 'you  see  how 
much  my  mind  is  gone  over  to  the  business  of  a farmer,  for  I never  know 
when  to  finish,  if  once  I begin  on  the  subject.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Thomas  Mann  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  July  31:  1793. 

I prepare  now  to  give  you  some  reasons  according  to  my  promise  for 
my  preference  of  the  plan  of  cultivation  I transmitted  you  3 weeks  since 
to  the  one  you  did  me  the  honor  to  consult  me  on. 

The  system  of  small  fields  in  my  plan  is  nothing  more  than  an  exteu'- 
sion  of  method  b^ond  what  you  bought  requisite  in  farming.  The 
crops  of  this  rotation,  although  of  sm^l  value  comparatively  are  yet 
worth  methodical  treatment  on  the  following  principle,  if  on  no  other. 
From  the  diversity  of  constitution  in  plants,  some  are  injured  while 
others  are  benefited  in  the  same  stage  of  growth,  by  great  heats  or  colds, 
by  excessive  moisture  or  droughts.  The  weather  every  day  in  the  year, 
must  be  the  most  favorable  that  can  be,  for  some  particular  crop.  Again, 
there  are  few  pipts  which  have  exactly  the  same  length  of  life,  or  which 
flourish  exactly  in  the  same  season:  hence  by  a judicious  arrangement  the 
operations  of  sowing  their  seeds  and  gathering  their  fruits  may  be  carried 
on  without  interference.  The  cultivation  of  a great  variety  of  crops  [?] 
will  ensure  a plenty.  A perpetual  seed  time  will  make  a perpetual 
harvest.  Thus  many  plants  are  worthy  of  regular  cultivation,  which 
are  of  no  value  in  the  market,  and  cannot  in  consequence  be  introduced 
into  the  great  system  with  propriety,  as  the  equidity  of  the  fidds  is  in- 
dis^sable.  Feas  and  Potatoes  are  of  this  Class,  and  ought  not  to  keep 
ffidr  place  among  the  corn  if  they  are  not  greatly  serviceable  in  prevent- 


1793]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  aoi 

ing  the  working  of  the  land.  Your  plan  gives  3 successive  years  of  rest 
in  every  8,  to  each  field,  mine,  the  same  number  at  intervals.  For  the 
preference  I give  the  latter  I have  two  or  three  reasons.  Three  years  of 
rest  successive  to  land  full  of  the  roots  of  trees  must  occasion  consider- 
able trouble  in  grubbing  & clearing  up  to  prepare  for  a crop  at  the  end 
of  that  time.  Our  mountain  land  is  so  extremely  prone  to  throw  out 
the  Tulip  Tree,  the  Locust,  the  Hickory,  and  Sassafras,  that  after  one 
year  of  rest,  if  it  be  not  exhausted,  a great  deal  of  grubbing  is  requisite. 
After  three,  the  labor  of  cleaning  would  be  unsuccessful.  The  soil  is  so 
compact  & so  much  the  worse  allways  for  being  trodden,  that  a field 
after  being  grazed  3 years  would  probably  yield  a trifling  crop  at  first  if 
it  did  not  get  the  very  best  tillage.  These  objections  would  be  aleviated 
by  sowing  the  land  with  Red  Clover,  and  shutting  it  up  for  the  Scythe, 
which  would  keep  down  the  young  trees,  but  I question  whether  this 
could  be  done  readily  to  such  an  extent  Supposing  it  determined  that 
the  years  of  rest  should  be  successive;  1 think  it  would  be  better  to  sow 
the  white  clover  than  the  red,  unless  the  force  on  the  farm  be  sufficient 
to  prepare  60  acres  annually  for  the  Scythe.  The  red  clover  is  liable  to 
be  extirpated  by  the  bite  and  treading  of  animals,  the  white  bears  graz- 
ing extremely  well.  The  red  clover  would  require  to  be  sown  annually 
in  one  of  the  fields  of  the  farm ; the  white  when  once  established  would 
perpetuate  itself ; let  it  be  eaten  as  closely  as  possible  it  perfects  its  seeds 
in  so  short  a time,  that  it  will  allways  keep  the  earth  well  stocked,  and 
will  spring  again  the  moment  the  field  is  out  of  cultivation.  The  red 
dover  indeed,  affords  a much  greater  quantity  of  food,  and  I believe  will 
bear  much  better  the  want  of  rain,  which  is  an  immense  advantage  with 
us.  This  is  the,  best  on  a small  farm  under  exact  management,  the  other 
does  better  for  large  fields  and  a loose  agriculture. 

With  respect  to  the  summer  fallow,  I know  it  is  thought  injudicious 
to  expose  bare,  to  the  summer  sun,  but  it  will  never  be  bare  I think, 
there  will  allways  be  a coat  of  weeds  to  shelter  it,  and  there  is  a con- 
siderable advantage  in  this,  that  it  will  divide  the  business  of  breaking  up 
the  ground,  between  Autumn  and  Spring.  The  fidd,  which  is  to  go 
from  rest  immediately  into  wheat  in  my  plan,  may  receive  the  first 
ploughing  in  Spring.  Those  which  are  to  bear  corn  with  Peas  & Po- 
tatoes, must  be  broken  up  as  soon  as  the  seed  time  is  over.  If  I under- 
stand your  system,  one  of  the  fields  destined  for  wheat  will  be  ploughed 
the  first  time,  between  harvest  and  seed-time,  and  will  be  sown  immedi- 
ately after.  Would  not  this  be  inconvenient,  as  that  season  is  rendered 
the  busiest  in  the  year  by  our  apprehension  of  the  weevil?  Wheat  after 
Red  Clover  would  not  succeed  I fear,  unless  a fallow  intervenes,  to  give 
the  clover  time  to  rot.  This  may  be  remedied  at  once,  if  a remedy  be 
found  requisite,  by  sowing  the  clover  on  the  rye.  Six  months  may  be 
thought  gained  in  the  age  of  the  clover,  and  in  consequence  a fallow  of 
six  months  or  seven  may  precede  the  wheat.  If  sown  in  the  fall  it  will 
give  one,  perhaps  tvro  crops  of  hay  the  next  summer ; after  the  Rye  is 
taken  oil,  and  2 or  3 each  summer  following  for  2 years;  after  which  it 
will  be  worth  little.  I saw  a field  of  dover  seed  ready  for  the  Scythe  a 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1793 


201 


fortnight  ago  which  had  been  sown  upon  barley  last  fall.  When  sown 
in  the  Spring,  it  never  I believe,  yields  a tolerable  crop  of  hay  that 
summer.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H,  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Aug.  II.  1793. 

. . . Biddle,  my  new  manager,  writes  me  from  Elkton,  that  the  per- 
sons who  had  it  in  contemplation  to  go  & tenant  my  lands,  will  not  en- 
gage till  they  go  to  see  them  which  they  will  do  in  the  fall.  I must 
therefore  take  measures  for  going  on  with  their  culture  myself  the  next 
year;  & as  I have  engaged  Biddle  for  Monticello,  I must  get  you  to  an- 
nounce it  to  Clarkson,  and  offer  him  the  plantations  over  the  river,  on 
the  terms  given  him  for  Monticello.  this  removal  may  be  rendered 
palateable  to  him  by  being  told  it  is  the  effect  of  my  resolution  to  put 
Monticello  into  a farm  on  the  plan  of  this  country,  with  which  he  will 
know  he  is  unacquainted,  if  he  determines  to  quit  altogether,  and  you 
can  find  any  good  overlooker  for  the  plantations  I must  trouble  you  to 
engage  one  on  any  terms  (not  involving  the  payment  of  money)  which 
you  may  think  advisable.  I must  also  trouble  you  to  direct  such  sowings 
of  small  grain  on  both  sides  the  river  as  you  shall  think  best,  & in  good 
season,  which  overseers,  about  to  remove,  are  apt  to  put  off.  if  Clark- 
son goes  to  Shadwell,  he  will  of  course  see  to  the  sowings  on  that  side 
himself.  Biddle  will  be  at  Monticello  about  the  middle  of  October. 

Your  reasons  for  a rotation  of  bye-articles  in  a set  of  small  feilds  are 
perfectly  sound,  nothing  is  more  prudent  than  to  vary  articles  of  cul- 
ture in  order  to  have  something  to  meet  the  varying  seasons  of  the  year. 
— ^my  letter  of  the  28*.  will  have  informed  you  of  some  alterations  pro- 
posed in  my  rotation,  the  difference  between  your’s  and  mine  is  the 
3.  years  of  dover  (by  which  term  I always  meant  red  clover)  instead  of 
3.  years  of  rest  or  fallow;  and  this  depends  on  the  great  problem  of  the 
clover  husbandry.  I did  not  at  first  propose  to  adopt  it,  because  it 
lengthens  the  rotation  so  much,  but  further  reflection,  & observation 
here  on  it's  great  & palpable  advantages,  determined  me  to  attempt  it. 
my  not  explaining  that  by  the  term  dover  I always  meant  the  red,  left 
a just  opening  for  the  objection  that  tijree  years  of  dover  would  produce 
a strong  and  troublesome  growth  of  bushes,  every  year,  in  my  rotation 
comes  either  the  plough  or  the  scythe  ffirough  every  feild ; except  the  8*“. 
year,  and  I have  considerable  hopes  I can  lop  off  that  year  from  the  ro- 
tation altogether  by  other  resources  for  pasture. — one  difficulty  you  sug- 
gest is  a very  great  one  indeed,  that  I shall  have  too  much  ploughing  in 
die  fall,  considering  how  busy  a season  our  apprehensions  of  the  weavil 
make  that.  I found  considerable  hopes  on  the  threshing  machine  ex- 
pected, as  4.  horses  sufBce  to  work  that,  & I had  proposed  to  work  my 
ploughs  with  oxen.  ^ should  that  machine  fail,  more  horses  must  be  kept 
for  treading  wheat  in  the  proper  season,  & to  be  employed  In  waggoning 
jat  other  times,  or  the  raising  horses  for  sale  must  be  gone  into  so  as  to 
derive  assistance  in  treading  a year  or  two  before  they  are  sold,  still 


1793] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


203 


these  are  but  conjectual  remedies  for  the  difficulty,  which  are  by  no 
means  certain  in  their  effect. — on  revising  my  letter  of  the  28®.  lit  I 
find  I have  illy  expressed  the  President’s  method  of  mixing  corn  & po- 
tatoes. he  puts  them  in  alternate  drills,  4 f,  apart,  so  that  the  rows  of 
corn  are  8.  f.  apart,  & a single  stalk  every  18.  I.  or  2.  f.  in  the  row. 
Judge  Peters,  an  excellent  farmer  in  this  neighborhood,  tells  me  he  has 
taken  this  method  from  the  President,  and  has  generally  made  40.  bush, 
of  corn  & 120.  bush,  of  potatoes  to  the  acre,  strictly  measured.  I pro- 
pose the  mixture  because  unless  this  or  some  other  mode  of  cultivating 
corn  can  be  found  which  may  prevent  it’s  ravages  in  our  land,  I should 
decline  it’s  culture  altogether,  still  our  habits  in  favor  of  that  plant 
render  it  eligible  to  try  to  reconcile  the  saving  our  lands  with  some  de- 
gree of  corn-culture,  perhaps  your  idea  of  dressing  our  grounds  abso- 
lutely flat,  without  hills  or  ridges,  may  be  adopted  for  the  corn,  po- 
tatoes, & peas,  mf  D.  Randolph  discorages  me  as  to  the  last  article 
by  the  difficulty  of  gathering  them.  I receive  encoragement  from  him 
in  the  article  of  manure,  of  which  he  tells  me  he  makes  from  7.  to  10. 
loads  for  every  head  of  cattle,  this  corroborates  D'.  Logan’s  experi- 
ment according  to  which  130.  cattle  will  manure  60.  acres  a year,  how- 
ever should  we  fall  short  in  this,  I rely  on  supplying  it  by  green  dress- 
ings of  buckwheat.  . , . {Jefferson  PaperSj  L.  C.) 

(Thomas  Mann  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  Aug:  14:  1793. 

. . . We  have  had  a very  long  drought,  which  has  injured  the  Indian 
corn  greatly.  The  crop  will  be  less  by  a 4*\  or  perhaps  a 3*.  than  was 
expected  some  weeks  ago.  It  has  probably  been  of  service  in  checking 
the  weevil,  which  appeared  very  early  but  has  scarcely  increased  fast 
enough  to  give  alarm. 

One  of  the  Italians  whom  Mazzei  brought  over,  Giovannini,  applied 
to  me  lately  for  a farm  of  30  or  40  acres  on  Edgehill  which  he  says  he 
can  cultivate  and  yet  devote  at  least  three  days  a week  to  a garden.  He 
is  an  excellent  gardener  and  one  of  the  most  sober,  industrious  men  I 
ever  knew.  I mention  this  to  you,  thinking  that  you  might  perhaps  be 
inclined  to  take  him  on  those  terms  yourself.  If  you  do  not  I shall  take 
him  without  hesitation  as  I know  he  can  cultivate  a garden  of  con- 
siderable size  & have  half  the  week  to  spare.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

« 

(Jefferson  to  Samuel  Biddle.) 

Philadelphia  August  30.  1793, 

I duly  received  your  letter  of  the  i*‘  inst.  I expect  to  leave  this 
place  on  the  5*.  or  6“*.  of  October  & to  be  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
next  at  mf  Hollingsworth’s,  at  Elkton,  where  I shall  be  ^ad  to  see 
you.  I shall  then  proceed  directly  home,  and  with  you  to  take  measure 
for  meeting  me  there  as  quickly  after  my  arrival  as  possible,  because,  in- 


Jeffbrson’s  Garden  Book 


C1793 


a04 

stead  of  remaining  there  as  I expected,  I find  that  after  about  three 
weeks  stay  I shall  be  obliged  to  come  back  to  Philadelphia,  and  shall  not 
be  fixed  at  home  again  till  the  next  year,  it  will  be  important  for  my 
own  settlement  as  well  as  for  arranging  the  crops  of  the  ensuing  year, 
that  you  should  pass  as  much  as  possible  of  the  three  weeks  stay  I make 
at  home.  . , . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Philadelphia,  September  i,  1793. 

. . . My  threshing  machine  has  arrived  at  New  York.  Mr.  Pinckney 
writes  me  word  that  the  original  from  which  this  model  is  copied, 
threshes  150  bushels  of  wheat  in  8 hours,  with  6 horses  and  3 men.  It 
may  be  moved  either  by  water  or  horses.  Fortunately  the  workman  who 
made  it  (a  millwright)  is  come  in  the  same  vessel  to  settle  in  America. 
I have  written  to  persuade  him  to  go  on  immediately  to  Richmond,  offer- 
ing him  the  use  of  my  model  to  exhibit,  and  to  give  him  letters  to  get  him 
into  immediate  employ  in  making  them.  ...  I understand  that  the 
model  is  made  mostly  in  brass,  and  in  the  simple  form  in  which  it  was 
first  ordered,  to  be  worked  by  horses.  It  was  to  have  cost  5.  guineas, 
but  Mr.  Pinckney  having  afterwards  directed  it  to  be  accommodated  to 
water  movement  also,  it  has  made  it  more  complicated,  and  costs  13 
guineas.  It  will  thresh  any  grain  from  the  Windsor  bean  down  to  the 
smallest.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  214-215.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  September  2,  1793. 

. . . My  threshing  machine  is  arrived  at  New  York,  and  will  be  here 
this  week.  Mr,  Pinckney  writes  me  that  the  model  from  which  my 
model  is  taken,  gets  out  150.  bushels  of  wheat  in  8.  hours  with  6.  horses 
and  5,  men.  It  will  thresh  any  grain  from  the  Windsor-bean  to  the 
milled,  and  may  be  moved  by  horses  or  water.  . . . The  character  you 
give  Giovannini  is  a just  one.  He  is  sober,  industrious  & honest.  He 
lived  with  me  as  a gardener  sometime  before  I went  to  Europe,  however 
1 shall  find  it  necessary  to  have  a gardener  constantly  at  his  business,  and 
think  to  teach  a negro  at  once.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8;  17-18.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Germantown,  Nov.  2.  93. 

. , . Mr.  Hollingsworth  at  the  head  of  Elk  thmb  he  can  immedi- 
ately send  me  on  a good  overseer  in  the  place  of  Rogers.  I authorized 
him  to  allow  exactly  the  same  as  to  Biddle.  Conseguendy  on  his  arrival 
I must  get  you  to  give  him  orders  on  Watson  & G>lo.  Bell  for  the  same 
necessaries  which  I have  furnished  to  Biddle.  . . , (Ford,  Jefferson  8: 

58.) 


1793] 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


aoj 

(Jefferson  to  David  Howell.) 

Germantown,  Nov.  14,  1793. 

...  I sincerely  wish  you  success,  and  shall  be  greeted  with  the  tidings 
of  it  in  the  retirement  into  which  I mean  to  withdraw  at  the  close  of  the 
present  year,  it  will  be  the  second  time  my  bark  will  have  put  into  port 
with  a design  not  to  venture  out  again;  & 1 trust  it  will  be  the  last,  my 
farm,  my  family  & my  books  call  me  to  them  irresistably.  I do  not 
know  whether  you  are  a farmer,  but  I know  you  love  your  family  & 
your  books,  and  will  therefore  bear  witness  to  the  strength  of  their  at- 
tractions. . . . (Charles  Francis  Jenkins,  Jefferson's  Germantown  Let- 
ters (Philadelphia,  1906) : 84.  Hereafter  cited  as  Jenkins,  Jefferson's 
Letters.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jacob  Hollingsworth.) 

Germantown,  near  Philadelphia,  Nov.  22,  1793. 

When  I passed  your  home  last,  you  told  me  you  thought  there  would 
be  to  be  bought  there  red  clover  seed,  fresh  and  cheap.  I take  the 
liberty  to  enclose  you  a twenty  dollar  bill  * & to  beg  the  favor  of  you  to 
lay  it  out  for  me  in  as  much  fresh  clover  seed  as  it  will  buy,  and  to  give 
the  seed  in  charge  to  the  overseer  whom  you  shall  be  so  good  as  to  em- 
ploy for  me.  to  be  carried  on  with  him.  Not  having  yet  heard  from 
you  on  that  subject  I am  apprehensive  you  have  found  more  difficulty 
than  you  expected,  lest  the  terms  should  have  escaped  our  memory  I 
was  to  give  Sami.  Biddle  I20.  dollars  a year,  & 5 or  600  lbs.  of  fresh 
pork,  when  he  arrived  there,  as  it  had  been  too  far  to  carry  heavy 
things,  & to  save  him  the  expense  of  buying,  I had  made  for  him  a half 
dozen  chairs,  table,  bedstead  & such  other  things  as  my  own  workmen 
could  make,  he  carried  his  own  bedding  & smdl  conveniences,  this  is 
sufficient  to  serve  as  a guide  with  the  person  now  to  be  employed. 
(Jenkins,  Jefferson's  Letters:  107.) 

(Jefferson  to  Archibald  Stuart.) 

Germantown  Nov.  24.  1793. 

When  I had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  Monticello  you  mentioned 
to  me  that  sheep  could  be  procured  at  or  about  Staunton,  good  & cheap, 
and  were  kind  enough  to  offer  your  aid  in  procuring  them.  Reflecting 
on  this  subject,  I find  it  will  be  much  better  to  buy  & drive  them  now, 
before  they  have  young  ones,  & before  the  snow  sets  in,  than  to  -wait  till 
spring.  1 therefore  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  you  a 40.  Doll,  bank 
post  note,t  which  I will  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  lay  out  for  me  in  sheep, 

* [“Nov.  21.  inclosed  to  Jacob  Hollingsworth  the  bank  bill  for 
20.  D.”  {^Account  Book  1791-1803.')] 

f [“Nov.  22.  gave  order  on  bank  of  US.  for  40.  D.  in  a post  bill  to 
be  remitted  to  A.  Stewart  [Stuart]  to  buy  sheep.”  “Nov.  24.  indosed 
to  A.  Stewart  [Stuart]  a bank  post  note  for  40.  D.  to  buy  sheep.”  {Ac- 
count Book  1791—1803.)] 


ao6  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i793 

taking  time  between  the  purchase  & delivery,  to  give  notice  to  Mr.  Ran- 
dolph at  Monticello  to  have  them  sent  for,  the  letter  to  be  directed  to 
him,  or  in  his  absence  to  Samuel  Biddle  overseer  at  Monticello.  . . . 
What  apology  must  I make  for  so  free  a call  on  you  ? And  what  thanks 
& apology  for  the  use  I made  of  your  friendly  offer  as  to  the  potatoes  ? 
But  I am  again  a new  beginner  in  the  world,  & it  is  usual  for  old  settlers 
to  help  young  ones.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8: 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Germantown,  Nov.  24,  1793. 

...  I am  sorry  you  have  so  much  trouble  with  my  furniture.  How- 
ever I shall  soon  be  able  to  relieve  you  from  any  drudgery.  I enclose 
you  a letter  to  Mr.  Stewart,  open,  that  you  may  see  its  contents,  & give 
the  necessary  directions  to  Mr.  Biddle  to  go  or  send  for  the  sheep  when 
notified  that  they  are  ready.  I think  it  important  that  they  should  be 
fetched  before  the  snows.  (Jenkins,  Jefferson's  Letters:  118.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Dec.  8.  I793« 

...  A person  of  the  name  of  Eli  Alexander  is  engaged  for  me  at  Elk, 
as  overseer  on  the  East  side  of  the  river,  he  will  set  out  this  day  week. 
I aoi  to  furnish  him  the  same  conveniences  which  I did  to  mf  Biddle, 
be  pleased  therefore  to  desire  the  latter  to  have  made  immediately  a bed- 
stead & table,  and  to  bespeak  half  a dozen  chairs  of  Fitch,  also  to  have 
the  house  in  which  Rogers  lived,  put  into  habitable  condition.  1 mean 
as  soon  as  1 can  to  remove  the  Overseer's  residence  up  to  Hickman’s, 
the  other  small  utensils  which  were  furnished  to  mf  Biddle,  may  be  got 
from  the  stores  after  Alexander’s  arrival,  which  will  probably  be  but  a 
few  days  before  mine,  he  had  better  employ  his  force  at  Shadwell  as 
much  as  he  can  till  I come,  because  I mean,  to  reform  the  feilds  at  the 
upper  place  this  winter.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jacob  Hollingsworth  to  Jefferson.) 

. Elkton  13  Decb'  1793. 

Yours  of  2i  Novb'  received  [?]  with  twenty  dollars  for  to  buy  Clover 
seed,  and  yours  of  4 Decb'.  with  Direction  for  M'^  Alexander  who  will 
go  agreeable  to  appointment,  and  respecting  the  Clover  seed  I can  sup- 
ply you  with  and  send  it  by  M"  Alexander  at  Nine  Dollars  a Bushel 
and  no  less  its  of  the  Last  years  Seed  which  I think  Equal  to  New,  per- 
haps the  New  will  be  Cheaper  but  as  it  will  not  be  thrashed  until 
Jan^  or  Febr^  it  will  be  too  late  for  your  purpose ; if  you  chose  I will 
forward  two  Bushels  by  M'  Alexander,  your  answer  respecting  it.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M,  H.  S.) 


1793] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


207 


(Jefferson  to  Jacob  Hollingsworth.) 

Philadelphia,  Dec.  17.  1793. 

I received  yesterday  your  favor  of  the  13“*.  & accept  willingly  the 
offer  of  the  clover  seed  at  the  price  you  mention.  I hope  mf  Alexander 
will  be  setting  out  by  the  time  you  receive  this,  as  the  place  he  is  to 
overlook  must  be  suffering  much  for  want  of  him.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jacob  Hollingsworth  to  Jefferson.) 

Elkton  24  Decb'.  1793. 

Yours  received  and  agreeable  to  request  have  bought  the  Clover  seeds 
two  Bushels  at  Eighteen  Dollars  and  this  afternoon  M'  Alexander  is  to 
set  sail  from  Fricktown  [=  Fredericktown]  with  the  seeds  for  Rich- 
mond. he  would  have  started  sooner  but  was  Disappointed  by  the  post. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

From  the  Account  Book  1781—1803: 

Apr.  28.  pd  \ of  my  subscription  for  Michaud’s  journey  to  Pacific  sea 

12.3. 

Mar.  23.  12  lb.  clover  seed  a.  D. 

Dec.  20.  4 lb.  lucerne  seed  10/  and  other  seed  2/6=  1.67. 


1794 

1794-" 

Objects  for  the  gard-n  this  year.’ 


Peas.  Charlton 

Lettuce.*®  cabbage 

squashes  *“ 

Marrow-fat 

Cos. 

potato  pumpk”.®® 
melons  citron  ®* 

green  for  soup. 

longleaved 

Beans.  Windsor,  brown 

Endive.**  curled 

pineapple  ** 

Lima* 

winter 

green 

Mazareen  * 

radishes. 

Venice 

Alleghaney  “ 

celery  solid 

Water 

Snap. 

parsley 

strawberries 

Cabbage 

spinad) 

goose  berries 

Cauliflower 

cresses  mount*.*® 

currans 

Broccoli 

nasturtium 

vines  Malesherb.®* 

turneps  * 

sorrel  French** 

artichokes 

carrots 

shalots  *® 

pomegran*“. 

parsneps 

leeks.** 

figs. 

Jerusalem  artichoke. 

Indian  potato  * 

beet.  1 

salsaiia 

horse  radish.* 

peendars  * 

garlick  *• 
onions 

white  mustard** 
cucumb”.  forw*. 
long  green** 

hops.*® 

Objects  for  the  garden  this  year.*  Objects  for  the  farm 


sage  ** 

Lilac. 

Lucern  '* 

balm  *• 

jasmine  white®* 

S‘.  foin'» 

mint®* 

yellow  ®* 

Burnet 

thyme.®* 

honeysuckle.®* 

red  clover  ** 

lavender  *• 

althaea  ®* 

white  clover  " 

marjoram  *® 

gelder  rose  ®* 

white  bent  grass.** 

camomile  •* 

dble  bloss*  almond®* 

corn,  forw*  yellow.®*  Mar.’s 

tansey  ** 

red  maple 

forw*  white. 

rue  *® 

Lombardy  poplar  ®® 

Indian  peas.  French. 

wormwood 

Balsam  poplar  ®' 

Wild  pea 

southernwood  *• 

Weeping  willow** 

horsebean.®* 

rosemary  ** 

Willow  oak** 

buckwheat  ** 

h3rssop  **' 

Ground  oak** 

Irish  potato 

perywinkle 

Kentuckey  coffee** 

Spring  wheat  ®® 

Dry  rice®* 

marshmellorw  ** 
beargrass.*® 

Missouri  Laurus®* 

Paccan. 

furze.'® 

Spanish  broom** 

Calycanthus 

roses 

208 


if  Secretary’s  Ford,  1704. 

, iMmon  Pafiff,  Huatmeton  Library  and  Art  f;/ll>iy  ) ’ 


See  plate  XXII.-. 


209 


1794]  Jefi'erson's  Garden  Book 

Mar.  I.  sowed  Charlton  peas,  lettuce  & radishes. 

1 6.  peas  up. 

17.  sowed  a second  patch  of  the  same. 

Almonds  blossom. 

17. 18. 19.  planted  2400.  cuttings  of  weeping  willow.** 
a man  plants  800.  to  1000.  a day.  in  the  follow- 
ing places. 

lower  roundabout*^ 

spring  roundabout 

in  the  old  Lucerne  patch  & the  open  spaces 
West  of  y‘  & between  the  same  roundabout 

along  the  road  from  the  gate  to  the  overseer’s 
house.*® 

in  the  old  feild  within  the  park. 

along  the  road  leading  by  the  side  of  the  Park 
to  Colle.*® 

along  the  road  to  the  Thoroughfare. 

if  8.  willows  will  yeild  i.  cord  at  a lopping,  & 
bear  lopping  every  3“.  year,  then  800.  of  these 
may  be  lopped  every  year,  & yield  100.  cords 
of  wood. 

grafted  and  planted  in  the  nursery  a variety 
of  fruit  trees. 

planted  there  also,  balsam  poplar,^*  Lombardy 
poplar,  gelder  roses,  althaeas,  yellow  jasmine, 
grafted  double  blossomed  almonds,  also  12. 
codlin  ” trees. 


210 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i794 

planted  200.  paccan  nuts.”  and  seeds  of  Ken- 
tuckey  coffee. 

20.  peaches  blossom. 

23.  cherries  blossom. 

27.  peas  of  Mar.  17.  up.” 

the  first  plant  of  asparagus  up,  & ^ I.  high, 
under  the  shop.” 

Apr.  2.  sowed  a patch  of  latter  peas. 

7.  a great  white  frost  last  night  off  of  the  moun- 
tains. the  Blue  ridge  covered  with  snow  Due 
North  from  hence  and  for  about  10“.  E.  & W. 
of  the  North. 

8.  our  first  dish  of  Asparagus.” 

8.  another  white  frost  off  of  the  mountains,  the 
peaches  killed  ” 

19.  first  dish  of  Spinach.” 

*20.  there  are  8.  Sugar  maples  alive.” 

on  the  3*.  inst.  Davy  & Phill  made  a path  4.f. 
wide  in  the  orchard  & 90.7'“.  long  in  2.  hours 
it  was  set  with  briars  & some  grubbing. 

on  the  3“  they  grubbed  76.  yds  6 f.  wide  in  2. 
hours,  in  the  thicket  West  of  the  orchard. 

after  it  was  grubbed  Davy  did  20.  yards  in  an 
hour. 

a man  will  grub  an  acre  a week  in  winter  of 
the  worst  wood  lands  and  in  summer,  in- 
closed lands,  in  thicket,  are  worse.” 


1794] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


2II 


30.  planted  Mazzei’s  corn  in  the  S.W.  angle  of 
the  South  orchard.  Derieux’s  d“.  (white) 
in  a horizontal  slope  of  the  North  orchard,  a 
few  grains  of  another  forward  corn  (yellow) 
in  the  garden  ground,  a few  grains  of  Mary- 
land forward  corn  (white)  planted  by  mr 
Biddle. 

S*.  foin  & Succory"  sowed  in  the  North  or- 
chard on  the  28“*. 

French  blackeyed  peas " sown  this  30*".  ad- 
joining both  patches  of  corn. 

May.  19.  peas  of  Mar.  i.  come  to  table." 

Aug.  12.  sowed  forward  peas  from  mf  Eppes’s." 

Sep.  15.  they  come  to  table" 

Oct.  7.  65  hills  of  peendars"  have  yielded  16^  lb 
weighed  green  out  of  the  ground  which  is  J lb 
each,  it  was  about  peck 

^ iyQ4..  Jefferson  left  Philadelphia  for  Monticello  on  Jan- 
uary 5,  arriving  home  on  the  t6th.  His  family  circle  at  this 
time  included  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Randolph,  their  children,  Thomas 
Jefferson  and  Anne,  and  Jefferson’s  younger  daughter,  Maria. 

Immediately  Jefferson  set  about  remedying  the  deplorable 
condition  into  which  his  estate  had  fallen  during  the  ten  years 
it  had  been  left  in  charge  of  overseers.  With  the  aid  of,  the 
newly  hired  overseer  he  undertook  to  put  into  effect  plans 
which  he  had  been  formulating  for,  some  irtonths.  One  of  his 
first  , moves  was  to  begin  a plan  .for  the  rotation  6i  crops.  In 
order  tb  improve  the,  appearance  of  his  estate  he  also  divided 
the  arable  Mds  into  regular  fields, of  forty  acres  each,  ahd:in, 
: the  place,  of  unsightly  raU  fences^  grown  .Over  with  weeds, 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


0.12 


[1794 


vines,  and  trees,  he  substituted  straight  rows  of  peach  trees. 
These  rows  of  trees  not  only  improved  the  appearance  of  the 
land,  and  served  for  dividing  them  off  into  definite  fields,  but 
also  gave  a superabundance  of  fruit.  He  planted  eleven  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  peach  trees  in  December  of  this  year. 

Peach  trees  planted  Dec.  1794  trees 

Monticello.  in  the  North  orchard,  between  the  apples  trees  . . . 263 

dividing  lines  between  the  feilds 537 

d®.  between  the  Quarryfield  & Longfidd  70 

Lego,  dividing  lines  between  the  feilds 287 

{Farm  Book) 

During  the  year  Jefferson  began  remodeling  his  house  at 
Monticello.  In  the  succeeding  years,  it  was  greatly  enlarged 
and  almost  completely  rebuilt. 

Jefferson’s  correspondence  meanwhile  gives  further  insight 
into  his  garden  and  farm  plans.  He  describes  the  new  mould- 
board  for  a plow  he  had  perfected  and  further  elaborates  on 
his  idea  for  the  rotation  of  crops. 

The  Garden  Book,  after  a lapse  of  several  years,  is  alive 
again  with  plans  and  plantings.  Among  the  most  interesting 
of  these  jottings  is  the  long  list  of  plants  under  the  headings 
of  “Objects  for  the  garden  this  year”  and  “Objects  for  the 
farm.” 

Samuel  Biddle,  his  overseer  for  one  year,  proved  unsatis- 
factory. He  left  Monticello  on  November  i and  was  re- 
placed on  November  18  by  Hugh  Petit,  who  served  as  over- 
seer until  1797. 

The  only  cloud  to  pass  over  the  happy  family  at  Monticello 
during  the  year  was  the  severe  spell  of  rheumatism  suffered  by 
Jefferson  in  August  and  September.  Evidently  by  December 
1 1 he  was  completely  recovered  from  his  illness,  for  he  wrote 
Colonel  Blackden : “I  should  with  more  pleasure  have  received 
yourself.  . . . You  would  have  found  me  in  my  farmer’s  coat, 
immersed  soul  & body  in  the  culture  of  ray  fields.” 

* This  is  the  first  year  that  Jefferson  made  a definite  plant- 
ing plan  for  his  garden  and  farm.  He  probably  made  the  list 
during  the  long  winter  evenings  sitting  in  his  “brick-kiln.” 
See  list  of  “Seeds  saved  1794.” 

* Phaseolus  limensis  Macf,,  Lima  bean. 

*■  Probably  Mazagan,  a variety  of  Ficia  faba  L. 


1794]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  1113 

® No  doubt  a variety  of  bean,  some  one  had  given  him  from 
the  Allegheny  Mountains. 

* Turnip,  Brassica  rapa  L. 

' Indian  potato,  Solanum  tuberosum  L. 

® Horse-radish,  Armor  acta  rusticana  Gaertn. 

“ Peendars,  Arachis  hypogaea  L.,  peanuts. 

Lactuca  sativa  L.  var.  capitata,  is  the  cabbage  lettuce; 
var.  longifolia  Lam.  is  the  Cos  lettuce,  of  which  there  were 
the  Black,  the  White,  and  the  Upright  White  Cos.  The  long- 
leaved  lettuce  is  var.  angustana  Irish. 

Cichorium  endivia  L. 

Probably  Barbarea  vulgaris  R.  Br.  It  is  also  called  up- 
land cress, 

” Rumex  scutatus  L. 

“ Shallots,  Allium  ascalonicum  L. 

Allium  porrum  L. 

“ Allium  sativum  L, 

Brassica  alba  Rabenh. 

“ A variety  of  Cucumis  sativus  L.  with  very  long  fruit. 

“ Probably  a variety  of  Cucurhita  mamma  Duchesne. 

A variety  of  Cucurbita  moschata  Duchesne. 

Cucumis  melo.  L.  This  variety  was  extensively  grown  in 
the  South. 

®®  Another  variety  of  Cucumis  melo.  L.  “It  is  an  excellent 
sort,  easily  grown  and  very  productive”  (L.  Burr,  The  Field 
and  Garden  Vegetables  of  America  (Boston,  1863)  : 187. 
Hereafter  cited  as  Burr,  Vegetables). 

Malesherbia,  a genus  of  South  American  herbs  or  under- 
shrubs constituting  the  family  Malesherbiaceae,  to  which  the 
passion  flower  is  related.  It  is  not  known  to  which  species 
Jefferson  is  referring  here. 

®*  Humulus  lupulus  L. 

*•  Salvia  officinalis  L. 

Melissa  officinalis  L. 

Mentha  piperita  L. 

Thymus  vulgaris  L. 

Lavandula  spica  L. 

Majorana  hortensis  Moench. 

Anthemis  nobilis  L. 

*®  Tanacetum  vulgare  L. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1794 


ai4 


••  Ruta  graveolens  L. 

Artemisia  absinthium  L. 

*'  Artemisia  ahrotanum  L, 

*•  Rosmarinus  officinalis  L. 

Hyssopus  officinalis  L. 

*®  Althaea  officinalis  L. 

” Yucca  filamentosa  L. 

Jasminum  officinale  L. 

*^Jasminum  sp. 

Lonicera  sp- 
Hibiscus  syriacus  L. 

*■*  Viburnum  opulus  var.  sterile  DC. 

*®  Prunus  triloba  Lindl. 

“ Populus  nigra  var.  italica  Du  Roi. 

P opulus  tacamahacca  Mill. 

Salt*  babylonica  L. 

Quercus  phellos  L. 

'*  Quercus  ilicifolia  Wangh. 

^^Gymnodadus  dioica  (L.)  Koch. 

**  Probably  Laurus  melissaefolium  Walt. 

**  Ulen  europaeus  L. 

‘*^Spartium  junceum  Lam. 

Medicago  sativa  L. 

“ Onabrychis  viciaefolia  Scop. 

Sanguis  orb  a minor  Scop. 

*•  Trifolium  pratense  L. 

*•  Trifolium  repens  L. 

*'^Agrostis  capillaris  L. 

*^Zea  mays  L.  (varieties). 

“ Variety  of  Vida  faba  L. 

Fagopyrum  esculentum  Gaertn. 

**  Tritkum  aestivum  L. 

*“  A variety  of  Oryza  sativa  L. 

“This  was  a phenomenal  number  of  cuttings  of  weeping 
willows  to  set  out.  Jefferson  never  mentioned  how  many  of 
the  willows  survived,  or  whether  they  yielded  the  number  of 
cords  of  wood  he  calculated.  He  continued  to  plant  willows 
for  many  years  after  this.  See  appendix  III  for  Jefferson’s 
description  of  the  introduction  of  the  weeping  willow  into 
America. 


1794]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  215 

See  plate  XXII  for  the  location  of  these  two  round- 
abouts. 

See  plate  XXII  for  location  of  the  overseer’s  house. 

Colie  was  the  home  of  Phillip  Mazzei.  See  letter  of  Jef- 
ferson to  Monroe,  May  26,  1795. 

” See  list  of  “Objects  for  the  garden  this  year.”  This  list 
of  plants  shows  that  Jefferson  carried  out  part  of  his  planting 
plan. 

” Codlin,  also  spelled  codling,  is  a variety  of  apple. 

” Paccan,  Indian  name  for  the  Carya  pecan.  Jefferson,  in 
his  Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia,  wrote : 

Paccan,  or  Illinois  nut.  Not  described  by  Linnaeus,  Miliar,  or  Clay- 
ton. Were  I to  venture  to  describe  this,  speaking  of  the  fruit  from 
memory,  and  of  the  leaf  from  plants  of  two  years  growth,  I should 
specify  it  as  the  Juglans  alba,  foliolu  lanceolatis,  acuminatis,  serratis, 
tomeniosis,  fructu  minore,  ovato,  compresso,  vix  insculpto,  dulci,  puta- 
mine  tenerrimo.  It  grows  on  the  Illinois,  Wabash,  Ohio,  and  Missis- 
sippi. It  is  spoken  of  by  Don  UUoa  under  the  name  of  Facanos,  in  his 
Noticias  Americanas.  Entret.  6. 

” These  peas  required  ten  days  to  come  up,  a long  germina- 
tion period. 

^*This  shop  is  probably  the  present  home  of  the  superin- 
tendent of  Monticello. 

” See  entry  of  October,  1793. 

” See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Madison,  May  15,  1794. 

Spinacia  oleracea  L. 

” See  letters,  Jefferson  to  Prince,  July  6,  and  Prince  to  Jef- 
ferson, November  8,  1791. 

” Jefferson  recorded  this  work  in  the  Farm  Book  as  follows: 

1794.  Apr.  Path  of  the  Orchard  Roundabout.  2 hands  did  90.  yards 
of  it,  4 f.  wide  in  2.  hours,  it  wM  set  with  briars  & some  grubbing, 
they  grubbed  76.  yds  6.  f.  wide  in  2 hours,  in  the  thicket  West  of  S. 
orchard,  after  it  was  grubbed  1.  hand  did  20  yds  in  an  hour. 

Comte  de  Rieox,  who  married  Mrs.  Mazzei’s  daughter. 
They  were  probably  living  at  Colie  at  this  time. 

Cichorium  intybus  L.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  John 
Taylor,  May  i,  1794. 

**  Probably  a French  variety  of  Figna  sinensis  Endl. 


2i6 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1794 


*•  The  peas  planted  on  March  i were  above  the  ground  on 
the  1 6th.  They  came  to  the  table  on  May  19,  80  days  from 
time  of  planting  to  time  for  eating. 

**  Francis  Eppes  of  Eppington,  Virginia. 

Mr.  Eppes’s  peas,  sowed  on  August  12,  came  to  the  table 
on  September  15,  a period  of  35  days  for  forward  peas  from 
planting  to  eating,  as  compared  to  80  days  for  the  Charlton 
peas. 

Peanuts,  Arachis  hypogaea  L.  Peanuts  arc  not  planted 
to  any  extent  in  Albemarle  County  today. 

Letters,  Extracts  of  Letters,  and  Memoranda,  1794 

(Jefferson  to  Archibald  Stuart.) 

Monticello  Jan.  26.  1794. 

. . . My  manager  Mr.  Biddle  now  sets  out  for  the  sheep,  as  the  ap- 
proach of  the  yeaning  season  leaves  no  time  to  spare  as  to  them.  I 
could  have  wished  to  have  made  one  trip  serve  for  them  & the  potatoes, 
but  I am  advised  that  the  latter  would  be  in  danger  of  frceiting  on  the 
road.  I must  therefore,  as  to  them  wait  for  milder  weather.  . . . Now 
settled  at  home  as  a farmer  I shall  hope  you  will  never  pass  without  call- 
ing, and  that  you  will  make  this  your  headquarters  when  you  visit  the 
neighborhood.  (Ford,  Jefferson  8;  137.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

Monticello  Mar.  11.  1794. 

. . . Our  winter  was  mild  till  the  middle  of  January,  but  since  the 
22®.  of  that  month  (when  my  observations  begun)  it  has  been  23.  morn- 
ings out  of  49.  below  the  freezing  point,  and  once  as  low  as  14°.  It  has 
also  been  very  wet.  Once  a snow  of  6. 1,  which  lay  5.  days,  and  lately 
a snow  of  4.  I.  which  laid  on  the  plains  4.  days.  There  have  been  very 
few  ploughing  days  since  the  middle  of  January,  so  that  the  farmers  were 
never  backwarder  in  their  preparations.  (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  140.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Apr.  3.  1794. 

...  I find  my  mind  totally  absorbed  in  my  rural  occupations,  we 
arc  suffering  much  for  want  of  rain,  tho’  now  at  the  3®  of  April,  you 
cannot  distinguish  the  wheat  fields  of  the  neighborhood  yet  from  hence, 
fruit  is  hitherto  safe,  we  have  at  this  time  some  prospect  of  rain, 
asparagus  is  just  come  to  table,  the  lilac  in  bloom,  and  the  first  whip- 
poor-will  heard  last  night,  no  martins  yet.  . , . {Jefferson  Papere, 
Id.  C.) 


• « t 


1794] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


ai7 


(Jefferson  to  George  Washington.) 

Monticello,  April  25,  1794. 

. . . The  difference  of  my  present  and  past  situation  is  such  as  to 
leave  me  nothing  to  regret,  but  that  my  retirement  has  been  postponed 
four  years  too  long.  The  principles  on  which  I calculated  the  value  of 
life,  are  entirely  in  favor  of  my  present  course.  I return  to  farming 
with  an  ardor  which  I scarcely  knew  in  my  youth,  and  which  has  got 
the  better  entirely  of  my  love  of  study.  Instead  of  writing  ten  or 
twelve  letters  a day,  which  I have  been  in  the  habit  of  doing  as  a thing 
in  course,  I put  off  answering  my  letters  now,  farmer-like,  till  a rainy 
day,  and  then  find  them  sometimes  postponed  by  other  necessary  occupa- 
tions. . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  283-284.) 

(Jefferson  to  Ferdinando  Fairfax.) 

Monticello  April  25,  1794. 

...  I have  returned  to  farming  with  an  ardour  which  I scarcely 
knew  in  my  youth,  and  which  has  entirely  taken  the  lead  of  my  love 
of  study.  1 indulge  it  because  I think  it  will  be  more  productive  of 
health,  profit,  & the  happiness  depending  on  these,  and  perhaps  of  some 
utility  to  my  neighbors,  by  taking  on  myself  the  risk  of  a first  experiment 
of  that  sort  of  reformation  in  our  system  of  farming,  which  surcharges 
the  progressive  depredation  of  our  lands  calls  for  imperiously.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Tench  Coxe.) 

Monticello,  May  i,  1794. 

...  I am  still  warm  whenever  I think  of  these  scoundrels,  though  1 
do  it  as  seldom  as  I can,  preferring  infinitely  to  contemplate  the  tranquil 
growth  of  my  lucerne  and  potatoes.  . . . The  prospect  of  wheat  for  the 
ensuing  year  is  a bad  one.  This  is  all  the  sort  of  news  you  can  expect 
from  me.  From  you  I shall  be  glad  to  hear  all  sort  of  news,  and 
particularly  any  improvements  in  the  arts  applicable  to  husbandry  or 
household  manufacture.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergb,  Jefferson  g:  285-286.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monticello  May  i,  1794. 

^ In  my  new  occupation  of  a farmer  1 find  a good  drilling  machine  in- 
dispensably necessary.  I remember  your  recommendation  of  one  in- 
vented by  one  of  your  neighbors;  & your  recommendation  suffices  to 
satisfy  me  with  it.  I must  therefore  beg  of  you  to  desire  one  to  be 
made  for  me,  & if  you  will  give  me  some  Uea  of  it’s  bulk,  & whether  it 
could  travel  here  on  it’s  own  legs,  I will  decide  whether  to  send  express 
for  it,  or  get  it  sent  around  by  Richmond.  Mention  at  the  same  time 
the  price  of  it  & 1 will  have  it  put  in  your  hands, — I remember  1 showed 
you,  for  your  advise,  a plan  of  a rotation  of  crops  which  I had  con- 


Jepperson’s  Garden  Book 


C1794 


ai8 

templated  to  introduce  into  my  own  lands.  On  a more  minute  examine' 
tion  of  my  lands  than  I had  before  been  able  to  take  since  my  return 
from  Europe,  I find  their  degradation  by  ill-usage  much  beyond  what  I 
had  expected,  & at  the  same  time  much  more  open  land  than  I had  calcu- 
lated on.  One  of  these  circumstances  forces  a milder  course  of  cropping 
on  me,  & the  other  enables  me  to  adopt  it.  I drop  therefore  two  crops 
in  my  rotation,  & instead  of  5.  crops  in  8 years  take  3.  in  6.  years  in  the 
following  order.  1.  wheat  2.  corn  & potatoes  in  the  strongest  moiety, 
potatoes  alone  or  peas  alone  in  the  other  moiety  according  to  it's  strength. 
3.  wheat  or  rye.  4.  clover.  5.  clover.  6.  folding  & buckwheat  dress- 
ing. In  such  of  my  fields  as  are  too  much  worn  for  clover,  I propose  to 
try  S‘  foin,  which  I know  will  grow  in  the  poorest  land,  bring  plenti- 
ful crops,  & is  a great  ameliorator.  It  is  for  this  chiefly  I want  the 
drilling  machine  as  well  as  for  Lucerne.  My  neighbors  to  whom  I had 
distributed  some  seed  of  the  Succory  intybut,  hro’t  from  France  by 
Young,  & sent  to  the  President,  are  much  pleased  with  it.  I am  trying 
apat(^  of  it  this  year.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  145-146.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Washington.) 

Monticello,  May  14,  1 794. 

I am  honored  with  your  favor  of  April  the  24th,  and  received,  at  the 
same  time,  Mr.  Bertrand’s  agricultural  prospectus.  Though  he  men- 
tions my  having  seen  him  at  a particular  place,  yet  I remember  nothing 
of  it,  and  observing  that  he  intimates  an  application  for  lands  in  America, 
I conceive  his  letter  meant  for  me  as  Secretary  of  State,  & therefore  I 
now  send  it  to  the  Secretary  of  State.  He  has  given  only  the  heads  of  his 
demonstrations,  so  that  nothing  can  be  conjectured  of  their  details.  Lord 
Kaims  once  proposed  an  essence  of  dung,  one  pint  of  which  should  ma- 
nure an  acre.  If  he  or  Mr.  Bertrand  could  have  rendered  it  so  portable, 
I should  have  been  one  of  those  who  would  have  been  greatly  obliged  to 
them.  I And  on  a more  minute  examination  of  my  lands  than  the  short 
visits  heretofore  made  to  them  permitted,  that  a ten  years’  abandonment 
of  them  to  the  ravages  of  overseers,  has  brought  on  them  a degree  of  de- 
gradation far  beyond  what  I had  expected.  As  this  obliges  me  to  adopt 
a milder  course  of  cropping,  so  I find  that  they  have  enabled  me  to  do  it, 
by  having  opened  a great  deal  of  lands  during  my  absence,  I have 
therefore  determined  on  a division  of  my  farm  into  six  fields,  to  be  put 
under  this  rotation:  first  year,  wheat;  second,  corn,  potatoes,  peas;  third, 

2e  or  wheat,  according  to  circumstances;  fourth  & fifth,  mover  where 
ft  fields  will  bring  it,  and  buckwheat  dressings  where  they  will  not; 
sixth,  folding,  and  buckwheat  dressings.  But  it  will  take  me  from  three 
to  six  years  to  get  this  plan  underway.  I am  not  yet  satisfied  that  my 
acquisition  of  overseers  from  the  head  of  Elk  has  been  a happy  one,  or 
that  much  will  be  done  this  year  towards  rescuing  my  plantations  from 
their  wretched  condition.  Time,  patience  & perseverance  must  be  the 
remedy;  and  the  maxim  of  your  letter,  ‘^slow  and  sure,”  Is  not  less  a 
good  one  in  agriculture  than  in  politic.  ...  1 do  not  forget  that  1 owe 


Pmtk  XVI.— Note*  oa  are**  of  Add*  at  Moutiedh  and  rotation  of  crop*  in  them, 
about  X794-9S.  OtStrton  Paptu,  M.  H.  S,) 


1794] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


ai9 

you  a letter  for  Mr.  Young;  but  I am  waiting  to  get  full  information. 

. . . (Lipscomb  and  Bttgh,  Jefferson  g:  286-288.) 

(Jefferson,  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  May  15,  1794. 

...  It  turns  out  that  our  fruit  has  not  been  as  entirely  killed  as  was 
at  first  apprehended;  some  latter  blossoms  have  yielded  a small  supply 
of  this  precious  refreshment.  I was  so  improvident  as  never  to  have 
examined  at  Philadelphia  whether  negro  cotton  and  oznabergs  can  be 
had  there;  if  you  do  not  already  possess  the  information,  pray  obtain  it 
before  you  come  away.  Our  spring  has,  on  the  whole,  been  seasonable; 
and  the  wheat  as  much  recovered  as  its  thinness  would  permit ; but  the 
crop  must  still  be  a miserable  one.  There  would  not  have  been  seed 
made  but  for  the  extraordinary  rains  of  last  month.  Our  highest  heat 
as  yet  had  been  83°,  this  was  on  the  4th  instant.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  289.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Aug.  7.  1794. 

. . . We  began  to  wish  for  rain  to  make  our  latter  corn,  & .yesterday 
there  fell  a very  plentiful  one,  so  that  we  shall  scarcely  need  another, 
the  day  before  yesterday  the  mercury  had  got  as  high  as  87®.  this  morn- 
ing it  was  down  at  59°.  a fall  of  28°  in  36  hours.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Archibald  Stuart.) 

Monticello  Oct  30.  1794. 

...  I have  lodged  with  Colo.  Bell  two  barrels  of  sweet  potatoes  for 
you.  I think  you  told  me  they  did  not  succeed  well  on  your  side  the 
mountain.  I hope  therefore  they  may  merit  acceptance.  . . . {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Henry  Remsen.) 

Monticello  Oct.  30.  1794. 

...  1 am  so  much  immersed  in  farming  & nail-making  (for  I have 
set  up  a Nailery)  that  politics  are  entirely  banished  from  my  mind.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  Franklin  Collection,  Yale  University;  photostat  at 
University  of  Virginia.  Hereafter  cited,  Jefferson  Papers,  Yale.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Friday  Morning,  Dec.  I2.  1794. 

. . . We  have  nothing  new  for  you;  for  it  is  not  new  that  wc  have 
fine  weather,  it  is,  & has  been  ddicious,  with  only  too  short  intervals 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1794 


20.0 

of  cold,  in  one  of  them  (about  the  aa"  of  Nov.)  it  was  extraordinarily 
cold,  the  mercury  being  at  19®.  but  it  was  only  three  mornings  bdow 
freezing,  in  the  other  (Dec.  4.)  it  was  one  morning  below  the  freez- 
ing point,  but  it  has  never  once  continued  so  thro  the  day.  we  have 
had  five  rains  at  proper  intervals,  which  is  the  only  interruption  our 
ploughs  have  had.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Thomas  Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monticello,  Dec.  29,  1794. 

I have  long  owed  you  a letter,  for  which  my  conscience  would  not 
have  let  me  rest  in  quiet  but  on  the  consideration  that  the  paiment  would 
not  be  worth  your  acceptance.  The  debt  is  not  merely  for  a letter  the 
common  traffic  of  every  day,  but  for  valuable  ideas,  which  instructed  me, 
which  I have  adopted,  & am  acting  on  them.  I am  sensible  of  the  truth 
of  your  observations  that  the  atmosphere  is  the  great  storehouse  of  matter 
for  recruiting  our  lands,  that  tho’  efficacious,  it  is  slow  in  it’s  operation, 
and  we  must  therefore  give  them  time  instead  of  the  loads  of  quicker 
manure  given  in  other  countries,  that  for  this  purpose  we  must  avdil 
ourselves  of  the  great  quantities  of  land  we  possess  in  proportion  to  our 
labour,  and  that  while  putting  them  to  nurse  with  the  atmosphere,  we 
must  protect  them  from  the  bite  & tread  of  animals,  which  arc  nearly  a 
counterpoise  for  the  benefits  of  the  atmosphere.  As  good  things,  as  well 
as  evil,  go  in  a train,  this  relieves  us  from  the  labor  & expence  of  cross- 
fences, now  very  sensibly  felt  on  account  of  the  scarcity  & distance  of 
timber.  I am  accordingly  now  engaged  in  applying  my  cross  fences  to 
the  repair  of  the  outer  ones  and  substituting  rows  of  peach  trees  to  pre- 
serve the  boundaries  of  the  fields.  And  though  I observe  your  strictures 
on  rotations  of  crops,  yet  it  appears  that  in  this  I differ  from  you  only  in 
words.  You  keep  half  your  lands  in  culture,  the  other  half  at  nurse; 
so^  I propose  to  do.  Your  scheme  indeed  requires  only  four  years  & 
mine  six;  but  the  proportion  of  labour  & rest  is  the  same.  My  years  of 
rest,  however,  are  employed,  two  of  them  in  producing  clover,  yours  in 
volunteer  herbage.  But  I still  understand  it  to  be  your  opinion  that 
clover  is  b«t  where  lands  will  produce  them.  Indeed  I think  that  the 
important  improvement  for  which  the  world  is  indebted  to  Young  is  the 
substitution  of  clover  crops  instead  of  unproductive  fallows;  & the 
demonstration  that  lands  are  more  enriched  by  clover  than  by  volunteer 
herbage  or  fallows ; and  the  clover  crops  are  highly  wiluable.  That  our 
red  lands  which  are  still  in  tolerable  heart  will  produce  fine  clover  I 
know  from  the  experience  of  the  last  year;  and  indeed  that  of  my  neigh- 
bors  haa  established  Ac  fact*  And  from  observations  on  accidental 
plants  in  the  feilds  which  have  been  considerably  harrassed  with  corn,  I 
T if^  L ? even  ™ese  will  produce  clover  fit  for  soiling  of  animals  green. 

therefore,  I can  count  on  the  success  of  that  improver.  My 
uiird  year  of  rest  will  be  devoted  to  cowpenning,  & to  a trial  of  the 
bumnraeat  dressing,  A further  progress  in  surveying  my  open  arable 
lands  has  shewn  me  that  I can  have  7 fields  in  eadi  of  my  farms  where  I 


1794]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  221 

expected  only  six;  consequently  that  I can  add  more  to  the  portion  of 
rest  & ameliorating  crops.  I have  doubted  on  a question  on  which  I 
am  sure  you  can  advise  me  well,  whether  I had  better  give  this  newly 
acquired  year  as  an  addition  to  the  continuance  of  my  clover,  or  throw 
it  with  some  improving  crop  between  two  of  my  crops  of  grain,  as  for 
instance  between  my  corn  & rye.  I strongly  incline  to  the  latter,  be- 
cause I am  not  satisfied  that  one  cleansing  crop  in  seven  years  will  be 
sufficient;  and  indeed  I think  it  important  to  separate  my  exhausting 
crops  by  alternations  of  amelioraters.  With  this  view  I think  to  try  an 
experiment  of  what  Judge  Parker  informs  me  he  practices.  That  is,  to 
turn  in  my  wheat  stubble  the  instant  the  grain  is  off,  and  sow  turneps  to 
be  fed  out  by  the  sheep.  But  whether  this  will  answer  in  our  fields 
which  are  harrassed,  I do  not  know.  We  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
sowing  only  our  freshest  lands  in  turneps,  hence  a presumption  that 
wearied  lands  will  not  bring  them.  But  Young’s  making  turneps  to  be 
fed  on  by  sheep  the  basis  of  his  improvement  of  poor  lands,  affords  evi- 
dence that  tho  they  may  not  bring  great  crops,  they  will  bring  them  in  a 
sufficient  degree  to  improve  the  lands.  1 will  try  that  experiment,  how- 
ever, this  year,  as  well  as  the  one  of  buckwheat.  I have  also  attended  to 
another  improver  mentioned  by  you,  the  winter-vetch,  & have  taken 
pleasures  to  get  the  seed  of  it  from  England,  as  also  of  the  Siberian 
Vetch  which  Millar  greatly  commends,  & being  a biennial  might  per- 
haps take  the  place  of  clover  in  lands  which  do  not  suit  that.  The 
winter  vetch  I suspect  may  be  advantageously  thrown  in  between  crops, 
as  it  gives  a choice  to  use  it  as  green  feed  in  the  spring  if  fodder  be  run 
short,  or  to  turn  it  in  as  a green-dressing.  My  rotation,  with  these 
amendments,  is  as  follows: — 

X.  Wheat,  followed  the  same  year  by  turneps,  to  be  fed  on  by  the  sheep. 

2.  Corn  & potatoes  mixed,  & in  autumn  the  vetch  to  be  used  as  fodder 
in  the  spring  if  wanted,  or  to  be  turned  in  as  a dressing. 

3.  Peas  or  potatoes,  or  both  according  to  the  quality  of  the  field. 

4.  Rye  and  clover  sown  on  it  in  the  spring.  Wheat  may  be  substituted 
here  for  rye,  when  it  shall  be  found  that  the  2*.,  3*.,  5**.,  & 6*.  fields 
will  subsist  the  farm. 

5.  Clover. 

6.  Clover,  & in  autumn  turn  it  in  & sow  the  vetch. 

7.  Turn  in  the  vetch  in  the  spring,  then  sow  buckwheat  & turn  that  in, 
having  hurdled  off  the  poorest  spots  for  cowpenning.  In  autumn 
sow  wheat  to  begin  the  circle  again. 

1 am  for  throwing  the  whole  force  of  my  husbandry  on  the  wheat- 
field,  because  it  is  the  only  one  which  is  to  go  to  market  to  produce 
money.  Perhaps  the  clover  may  bring  in  something  in  the  form  of  stock. 
The  other  fields  are  merely  for  the  consumption  of  the  farm.  Melilot, 
mentioned  by  you,  I never  heard  of.  The  horse  bean  I tried  this  last 
year.  It  turned  out  nothing.  The  President  has  tried  it  without  suc- 
cess. An  old  English  farmer  of  the  name  of  Spuryear,  settled  in  Dela- 
ware, has  tried  it  there  with  good  success ; but  he  told  me  it  would  not 


222  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i794 

do  without  being  well  shaded,  and  I think  he  planted  it  among  his  corn 
for  that  reason.  But  he  acknoleged  our  pea  was  as  good  an  ameliorater 
& a more  valuable  pulse,  as  being  food  for  man  as  well  as  horse.  The 
succory  is  what  Young  calls  Ghicoria  Intubus.  He  sent  some  seed  to 
the  President,  who  gave  me  some,  & I gave  It  to  my  neighbors  to  keep 
up  till  I should  come  home.  One  of  them  has  cultivated  it  with  great 
success,  is  very  fond  of  it,  and  gave  me  some  seed  which  I sowed  last 
spring.  Tho’  the  summer  was  favorable  it  came  on  slowly  at  first,  but 
by  autumn  became  large  & strong.  It  did  not  seed  that  year,  but  will 
the  next,  & you  shall  be  furnished  with  seed.  I suspect  it  requires  rich 
ground,  & then  produces  a heavy  crop  for  green  feed  for  horses  & cattle. 
I had  poor  success  with  my  potatoes  last  year,  not  having  made  more 
than  6o  or  70  bushels  to  the  acre.  But  my  neighbors  having  made  good 
crops,  I am  not  disheartened.  The  first  step  towards  the  recovery  of 
our  lands  is  to  find  substitutes  for  com  & bacon.  I count  on  potatoes, 
clover,  & sheep.  The  two  former  to  feed  every  animal  on  the  farm 
except  my  negroes,  & the  latter  to  feed  them,  diversified  with  rations  of 
salt^  fish  & molasses,  both  of  them  wholesome,  ^eeable,  & cheap 
articles  of  food. 

For  pasture  I rely  on  the  forests  by  day,  & soiling  in  the  evening. 
Why  could  we  not  have  a moveable  airy  cow  house,  to  be  set  up  in  the 
middle  of  the  feild  which  is  to  be  dunged,  & soil  our  cattle  in  that  thro' 
the  summer  as  well  as  winter,  keeping  them  constantly  up  & well  littered  ? 
This,  with  me,  would  be  in  the  dover  feild  of  the  l“.  year,  because  dur- 
ing the  R‘"’,  year  it  would  be  rotting,  and  would  be  spread  on  it  in  fallow 
the  beginning  of  the  3".,  but  such  an  effort  would  be  far  above  the  pres- 
ent tyro  state  of  my  farming.  The  grosser  barbarisms  in  culture  which 
I have  to  encounter,  are  more  than  enough  for  all  my  attentions  at  pres- 
ent. The  dung-yard  must  be  my  last  effort  but  one.  The  last  would 
be  irrigation.  It  might  be  thought  at  first  view,  that  the  interposition  of 
these  ameliorations  or  dressings  between  my  crops  will  be  too  laborious, 
but  observe  that  the  turneps  & two  dressings  of  vetch  do  not  cost  a 
single  ploughing.  The  turning  in  the  wheat-stubble  for  the  turneps  is 
the  fallow  for  the  corn  of  the  succeeding  year.  The  i*‘.  sowing  of 
vetches  is  on  the  corn  (as  is  now  practiced  for  wheat),  and  the  turning 
it  in  is  the  flush-ploughing  for  the  crop  of  potatoes  & peas.  The 
sowing  of  the  vetdi  is  on  the  wheat  f^ow,  & the  turning  it  in  is  the 
ploughing  necessary  for  sowing  the  buckwheat.  These  three  amdiora- 
tions,  then,  wiU  cost  but  a harrowing  each.  On  the  subject  of  the  drilled 
husbandry,  1 think  experience  has  established  it’s  preference  for  some 
plants,  as  the  turnep,  pea,  bean,  cabbage,  corn,  kc.,  and  that  of  the 
broadcast  for  other  plants  as  all  the  bre^  grains  & grasses,  except  per- 
haps lucerne  & foin  in  soils  & climates  very  productive  of  weeds.  In 
dry  soils  & climates  the  broadcast  is  better  for  lucerne  & foin,  as  aU 
the  South  of  Fiance  can  testify. 

1 have  imagined  and  executed  a mould-board  which  may  be  mathe- 
matically demonstrated  to  be  perfect,  as  far  as  per^tion  depends  on 
mathematical  principles,  and  one  great  circumstance  in  it’s  favor  is  that 


1794] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


223 

it  may  be  made  by  the  most  bungling  carpenter,  & cannot  possibly  vary 
a hair’s  breath  in  it’s  form,  but  by  gross  negligence.  You  have  seen  the 
musical  instrument  called  a sticcado.  Suppose  all  it’s  sticks  of  equal 
length,  hold  the  fore*end  horizontally  on  the  floor  to  receive  the  turf 
which  presents  itself  horizontally,  and  with  the  right  hand  twist  the 
hind-end  to  the  perpendicular,  or  rather  as  much  beyond  the  perpen- 
dicular as  will  be  necessary  to  cast  over  the  turf  completely.  This  gives 
an  idea  (tho  not  absolutely  exact)  of  my  mould-board.  It  is  on  the 
principle  of  two  wedges  combined  at  right  angles,  the  first  in  the  direct 
line  of  the  furrow  to  raise  the  turf  gradually,  the  other  across  the  furrow 
to  turn  it  over  gradually.  For  both  these  purposes  the  wedge  is  the  in- 
strument of  the  least  resistance.  I will  make  a model  of  the  mould- 
board  & lodge  it  with  Col®.  Harvie  in  Richmond  for  you.  This  brings 
me  to  my  thanks  for  the  drill  plough  lodged  with  him  for  me,  which  I 
now  expect  every  hour  to  receive,  and  the  price  of  which  I have  de- 
posited in  his  hands  to  be  called  for  when  you  please.  A good  instru- 
ment of  this  kind  is  almost  the  greatest  desideratum  in  husbandry.  I am 
anxious  to  conjecture  beforehand  what  may  be  expected  from  the  sowing 
turneps  in  jaded  ground,  how  much  from  the  acre,  & how  large  they  will 
be?  Will  your  experience  enable  you  to  give  me  a probable  conjecture? 
Also  what  is  the  produce  of  potatoes,  & what  of  peas  in  the  same  kind  of 
ground?  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  i:  49-55.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Dec.  26.  1794. 

. . . Before  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  we  had  taken  up  our  asparagus 
bed  & after  replanting  had  given  the  ^are  roots  to  a neighbor,  we 
have  however  done  our  best  to  send  mrs  Fleming  what  more  could  be 
spared  or  collected.  Patsy  wrote  for  artichoke  roots,  but  I presume  she 
meant  Asparagus,  as  our  artichokes  are  but  newly  planted,  and  are  most 
of  them  of  so  indifferent  a kind  that  as  soon  as  we  can  distinguish  them, 
we  mean  to  dig  them  up  & throw  them  away.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  December  28,  1794. 

...  If  it  [a  letter  from  Mr.  Jay]  had  been  on  the  rotation  of  my 
crops,  I would  have  answered  myself,  lengthily  perhaps,  but  certainly 
con  gusto.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  293.) 


(Jefferson  to  George  Wythe.) 

1794- 

...  I ever  wish  to  have  opportunity  of  enjoying  your  society,  know- 
ing your  fondness  for  ffgs,  1 have  daily  wished  you  could  have  partaken 
of  ours  this  year.  I never  saw  so  great  a crop,  & they  are  still  abundant. 


<224  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1794 

of  three  kinds  which  I brought  from  France,  there  is  one,  of  which  I 
have  a single  bush,  superior  to  any  fig  I ever  tasted  anywhere. — ^we  are 
now  living  in  a brick-kiln,  for  my  house,  in  it's  present  state,  is  nothing 
better.  I shall  recommence  my  operations  on  it  the  next  summer. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


Seeds  saved  17Q4 
(Bailey’s  Note,  January  95) 


Pease 

Blue  speckled  Snap 

White  mustard 

Early  Dwarf 

Reid  Speckled  snap 

onions 

Early  Charlton 

Golden  Dwarf 

White  Spanish 

Hotspur 

sugar  bean 

Corn  Sallad 

Pearl-eyed 

French  Sorrel 

Black  eyed 

Cabbage 

Hanover  Turnip 

White  eyed 

Scotch  cabbage 

Leaf  lattice 

Small  green 

York 

Green  “ 

Black  Indian 

Colesworts 

Garlick 

Salsify 

Palm  of  Christ! 

Beans 

English  cress 

Pumpeons,  Kinds 

B.  Windsor 

Do.  Turnip 

Early  cucumber 

Early  Sesbon 

Carrot 

Water-melon 

White  Carolina 

Parsnips 

Musk-melon 

White  snap 

Green  Rape 

Ground  snap 

Spinage 

Jf anting 

J colyflowcr 
i oz.  green  brocU 
i oz.  white  “ 

1 oz.  solid  cellery 

2 Broad  leaved  £>“.  endive 
1 lb.  English  scarlet  Radis 

i peck  of  more  Broad  Windsor  Beans. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

From  Account  Book  ifgi—180^: 

Jan.  31.  rec*.  of  Sam’.  Biddle  1.75  the  remains  of  5.  D.  he  had  bor- 
rowed of  Col®.  Bell  on  acc*  for  exp.  to  Stanton. 

Feb.  II.  agreed  with  Bailey  to  serve  me  as  gardener  for  £ 15  a year  & 
500  lb  pork,  with  bread  for  his  family.  [Bailey  served  as 
gardener  for  many  years.  He  lived  in  a house  below  the 
orchard  and  there  was  a walk  near  his  house  called  Bailey's 
walk,"] 

Feb.  17.  Bailey  commences  his  work. 


1794]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book.  225 

Mar.  18.  p*"  Biddle  his  expenses  to  Staunton  for  the  Sheep  1.37.  [See 
letter  January  26.] 

June  3.  [Richmond]  Collins  for  garden  seeds  3/. 

Oct.  II.  paid  for  52  potatoe  pumpkins  11/3. 

Nov.  I.  on  settlement  with  Samuel  Biddle  I owe  him  for  14.  D 

months  service  @ 10.  D 140 

travell^i  exp.  from  Elkton  here 22.46 

on  order  of  Dav^.  Watson 5 

167.46 

Biddle  leaves  my  service  this  day. 

Nov.  18.  Petit  comes  into  my  service  as  overseer  @ £ 30.  a year. 


1795 


ms" 

Apr.  19.  two  or  three  days  of  severe  weather  attended 
with  frost  have  killed  most  of  the  fruit  in  the 
neighborhood,  here  it  is  safe  as  yet,  and  I ob- 
served today  that  it  is  safe  as  low  down  as  the 
old  orchard  where  the  4.  fields  corner  together, 
about  half  the  almonds  however  are  killed,  it 
is  safe  to  the  river,  but  not  at  Tufton.® 

May.  12.  for  clearing  the  road  along  belfield  & Slate- 
field,*  where  there  was  no  digging,  but  every 
thing  was  grubbed  up  which  could  be  grubbed, 
& the  larger  trees  were  cut  down  to  a width  of 
I.  pole,  4 men  did  220.  yds  a day  which  was  10. 
square  poles  each.  I tried  on  that  line  the  step 
of  my  horse,  as  a rough  way  of  estimating  dis- 
tances without  getting  down  to  stride  them  off. 
when  pushed  into  a brisk  a walk  he  stepped  the 
220.  yds  at  1 12  steps  descending  & 116.  steps 
ascending,  no  steps  would  have  been  2.  yds 
at  a step.  114  (the  medium)  is  5 f 9^  I.  the 
step. 

^ JTfpy.  Jefferson  remained  at  Monticello  during  the  year, 
living  quietly  the  life  of  a farmer.  Letters  passed  as  usual 
between  him  and  his  friends  on  the  problems  of  crop  rotation 
and  agriculture  in  general.  Political  letters,  however,  were 
more  numerous  than  in  the  preceding  year.  The  following 
from  a letter  to  George  Wythe,  written  on  April  18,  shows 

226 


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A^WI  J??X#V4,*XiV  mi'T^fuZi^ 

wf  •»«MC  ^ '*hp**'  t -S  A * ti  j»  / ♦ 

M4»*,  /«  f^UJuSv  ^U<t>*y*^A;^*y, 

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'2  ^ trt**»M  yvrfm  fWry£rtw<^  AA^  l54.*-wwp^^».^  Oti? 


:?*  S* 

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'^f* PCkaCU!^  ^ ^ ^ywwH*tJMy  A^i^Af 

Va^A. 

pi^wCopJ^  A-  yr«^  ,^*4*wf*r^5i««TvTMi3Cf^ 

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If  AC*r?yi4^  Ait  >4F 

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K. 

PifATE  XVIIr-Pago  30  of  the  original  Gard^  Book, 


4Ur  Jlr 


*<f  9nMA-^^  C^yy-U^  A<t>  B-TT^  T»V^  ^1-^ 

ffsA.  l^cJt  pyi^-f-U/Irl  j/^uJL?  C*>frJUt*  3 u>Mr‘Mi9 ^ Sry<ke. 

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</  ^lu  ^i.  U*  ^ *t~  r\Mf^  4mt  k ejh4.*^-*.  ^ra^-d4.i*yi^  /"i 

frv*  J /«i  tf.  * 

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AA#  y^Hf.a.  ^*jyHi.tS6ay /ktas  ^\tA4  tA  Kr 

^ y t0%4^JK  4i>KiU-A  «'>'•  ^j(t/  4**«<C  ffVW  aCsCu^^-^ 

kUi  (joA  A4  ff  u ✓^Wa  4/a^V  iuaJfJkvY^  w 0X4.4^ yiirr  c#«t^  jCjami#* 

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/Xc  t V XiHif -f  ' I i5>  • «.  / ^ A ^ 4.,  0jHf»t< 

tf/  xa^fpA^rJ^  \i^i/\**y  A i<#«r  (n«C«.  ^ M^A!W  #n 

t/  4 £«  ^ "v^  ^ ^ VLAt«.  fyi  4^^*^ 

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r>dwn>«fC(  ffk-J* 


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Plate  XVIII,— Jefferson**  memoranduin  for  the  northwest  offices  and  icehouse. 
Hie  icehouse  is  mentioned  several  times  in  the  Gardm  Booh  {Jeffmon  Faperst  L.  C, ) 


1795] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


227 


how  active  Jefferson’s  life  was  during  this  brief  retirement. 
“I  live  on  my  horse  from  an  early  breakfast  to  a late  dinner  & 
very  often  after  that  till  dark.”  He  was  alone  most  of  the 
winter  because  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Randolph  had  spent  their  winter 
at  Farina,  Mr.  Randolph’s  home.  Jefferson  mentioned  in  one 
of  his  letters  a proposed  visit  to  Bedford  County  in  early  May, 
but  there  is  no  indication  that  he  made  the  trip.  His  new  in- 
terest this  year  was  the  manufacture  of  nails,  of  which  the  ac- 
count book  shows  a large  sale.  The  nailery  had  been  started 
the  previous  year.  (See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Henry  Remsen, 
October  30,  1794.)  This  business  thrived  for  many  years  af- 
terwards at  Mottticello,  In  February  Jefferson  carried  on 
scientific  experiments  with  seed  germination,  which  put  his 
knowledge  of  planting  far  in  advance  of  that  of  his  neighbors. 
(See  letters,  Jefferson  to  Randolph,  February  12  and  19, 
I795-) 

The  Farm  Book  recorded  most  of  the  agricultural  affairs 
for  the  year.  For  some  reason  Jefferson  placed  only  two 
entries  in  the  Garden  Book,  and  these  did  not  concern  plant- 
ing either  in  the  garden  or  on  the  farm.  The  following 
“Diary  for  1795”  is  from  the  Farm  Book. 

Diary  for  1795. 

The  fall  of  1794.  had  been  fine,  yet  little  ploughing  was  done,  partly 
from  the  want  of  horses,  partly  neglect  in  the  overseers,  & a three 
months  confinement  by  sickness  in  myself,  viz  from  Sep.  i.  to  the  latter 
end  of  Nov. 

Petit  came  to  Monticello  about  the  middle  of  Nov.  & soon  after  they 
began  to  plough  on  both  sides,  first  with  one  plough,  then  2.  then  3. 
they  did  not  get  the  4*“.  plough  each  till  the  2*.  week  in  Mar.  in  the 
meantime  8.  horses  for  each  had  been  made  up  by  purchasing  5. 

Before  Christmas,  at  Tufton  the  Highfield  of  about  35.  acres,  & at 
Monticello  a part  of  the  Riverfield,  to  wit  about  20.  acres,  & about  15. 
acres  for  an  Oatfield  were  ploughed,  say  about  70.  a*. 

On  the  other  side  about  25.  or  30.  a*,  of  the  SQuarefield  were  ploughed. 

I79S'  Jan.  Not  a single  ploughing  day  in  either  of  these  months. 

Feb.  a degree  of  cold  of  extraordinary  severity,  with  many  little 
snows,  prevailed  through  the  whole  of  them.  Petit  cut 
down  & grubbed  about  8.  acres  between  Franklin  & Poggio 
fields,  grubbed  the  S.  Orchard  cleaned  part  of  the  Hollow 
& Knob. 

Alexander  grubbed  the  patches  in  Squarefidd  employed  his 
men  in  Mauling  & cart  in  hauling  rails  to  inclose  Eastf^.  & 
repair  the  fences  in  general. 


228 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1795 


Mar.  g,  at  night.  John  & his  4.  companions  have  turned  over  the 
brick-earth,  have  cut  for  hre  wood  23.  cords,  Sc  for  coal 
50.  cords. 

the  mule  carts  have  brought  in  403^  hampers  of  coal. 

12.  loads  of  dung  from  Shadwell  to  the  Lucerne. 

19.  P.  M.  John  See.  have  cut  8&.  cords  of  wood  pine  & 2 of 
hiccory,  Sc  aSJ  of  firewood. 

Alexander  has  about  go.  a*,  ploughed. 

Petit  about  113  viz  Highfield  30.  Sc  8 a*,  of  Hollowf*.  for 
corn,  IS  a*  of  the  RiverP.  30.  of  SlateP, 
for  wheat,  20  for  oats  & about  10.  a*,  of  S. 
orch*  for  peas. 

Apr  4.  began  to  plant  corn  at  Lego. 

finished  bringing  dung  to  the  Lucerne  with  the  mule  carts, 
peaches  Sc  cherries  in  blossom. 

Martin’s  came  to  Charlottesville  about  the  24^.  of  March. 
Apr  1.  began  to  sow  clover,  on  trial  with  the  box  it  took  ii.  gills 
to  the  acre.  Col*.  N.  Lewis  sowed  an  acre  with  12.  gills, 
but  not  SO  well  done,  the  sowings  are  Antientf^  and  an 
Oatfield  at  the  head  of  Slatef^  about  15.  a*,  also  about  4.  or 

5.  acres  to  compleat  Poggio. 

At  Shadwell  began  to  sow  the  Upper  field  about  30.  a*. 

6.  the  Oatfield  has  taken  135  gills  of  clover  seed,  so,  at  li. 
gills  to  the  acre,  there  must  be  about  I2  ^ acres. 

20.  finish  sowing  clover  this  day.  15.  gallons  have  sowed  Oat- 
field & Infield  at  Tufton. 

May  6.  the  following  is  finished  here  to  about  lo.  a*. 

9.  ithe  clover  at  Poggio  in  general  blossom,  begin  now  only 
to  cut  it  for  green  food,  it  has  not  been  hi^  enough  till 
now. 

10.  the  first  lettuce  comes  to  table. 

14.  strawberries  come  to  table. 

June  18.  cut  barley  at  Shadwell. 

22.  d*.  at  Tufton. 

27.  begin  to  cut  wheat  at  Shadwell.  the  force  employed  as 
follows 

17.  Cradlers,  Ned.  Toby.  James.  Val.  Bagwell.  Caesar. 

Jerry.  Philip.  Davy.  John.  Lewis.  Johnny. 
George(Smith).  Isaac,  Isaac.  Peter.  Patrick. 
5.  reapers.  Frank.  Martin.  Tim.  Austin.  Phill  Shoe- 
maker 

7.  stackers  &c.  Gr.  George.  Abram.  Essex.  Squire. 
Goliah.  Tom.  waggoner  Phill. 

36,  gatherers.  Isabel.  Ned’s  Jenny.  Lewis's  Jenny.  Doll. 
• — Rachael.  Mary,  Nanny.  O.  Betty.  Molly. 

63.  Sally.  Amy.  Minerva.  Lucinda.  Judy  Hix. 

Thamar.  Iris.  Sulla.  Bellinda,  Phyllis. 
Moses.  Shepherd.  Joe.  Wormly.  Burwell. 


795] 


Jeffbrson’s  Garden  Book 


229 

Brown.  Jamy.  Barnby.  Davy.  Ben.  Davy. 
John  Kit  Patty.  Lucy.  Lucy. 

July  3.  begun  to  cut  wheat  on  this  side  the  river. 

3”.  & 4***.  these  2 days  they  cradled  73.  a*,  there  were  but 
12.  cradlers  at  work  on  an  average,  & they  stopped  cutting 
by  an  hour  by  sun  the  4^“.  (Saturday)  that  all  that  was 
cut  might  be  secured,  they  cut  therefore  fully  3.  a*,  a day 
each,  & may  be  counted  on  for  that, 
the  ox  carts  carry  the  sheaves  of  about  7.  bushels  of  wheat 
at  a load. 

one  of  them  with  3.  loaders  besides  the  driver  loads  in  15'. 
and  to  go  ^ of  a mile  & return  took  22'.  they  would  load, 
go  & return  i mile  in  30'. 

6^.  finished  cutting  wheat. 

7“*.  finished  cutting  rye. 

8.  began  to  tread  at  Monticello  with  7.  horses.  Were  the 
harvest  to  go  over  again  with  the  same  force,  the  following 
arrangement  should  take  place  the  treading  floor  should  be 
laid  down  before  harvest. 

^ a doz.  spare  scythes  should  be  mounted,  & fingers  for  ^ a 
dozen  more  ready  formed,  bent  & mortised,  & some  posts 
should  be  provided. 

1.  great  George  with  tools  & a grindstone  mounted  in  the 
single  mule  cart,  should  be  constantly  employed  in  mend- 
ing cradles  & grinding  scythes,  the  same  cart  would  carry 
about  the  liquor,  moving  from  tree  to  tree  as  the  work 
advanced. 

18.  cradlers  should  work  constantly.  Smith.  George.  John, 
Davy,  Lewis.  Johnny.  Isaac.  Peter.  Patrick.  Isaac.  Ned. 
Toby  James  Vd  Bagwell  Caesar  Jerry  Tim  & Philip. 

18.  binders  of  the  women  & abler  boys.  Isabela.  Jenny. 
Jenny.  Doll.  Molly.  Amy.  Minerva.  Lucinda.  Judy.  Bel- 
linda.  York,  Burwell.  Jamy.  Barnsby.  Davy.  Patty.  Lucy. 
Lucy. 

6.  gatherers,  to  wit  5 small  boys  & i.  larger  for  a foreman. 
Wormly.  Brown*  Davy.  John.  Ben.  Kit, 

3.  loaders.  Moses,  Shepherd  & Joe,  loading  the  carts 
successively  with  the  drivers. 

6.  stackers.  Squire.  Abram,  Shoemak'.  Phill.  Essex. 
Goliah.  Austin. 

2.  cooks.  O.  Betty  & Fanny. 

4.  carters.  Tom.  PhilL  Frank,  Martin. 

H. 

8.  would  remain  to  keep  half  the  ploughs  agoing. 

66.  Rachael.  Mary.  Nancy.  Sally.  Thamar.  Iris.  Scilla. 
Phyllis. 


13©  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i79S 

in  this  way  the  whole  machine  would  move  in  exact 
equilibrio,  no  part  of  the  force  could  be  lessened  without 
retarding  the  whole,  nor  increased  without  a waste  of 
force. 

this  force  would  cut,  bring  in,  & shock  54.  a”,  a day,  and 
complete  my  harvest  of  320.  a“.  in  6.  days, 
the  proper  allowance  4.  gallons  of  whiskey,  2 quarts  mo- 
lasses, I midling  besides  fresh  meat  per  day,  with  peas. 

July  29.  began  to  lay  fallow  Slatefield. 

Aug.  9.  the  Knobiidd  was  sown  the  last  fall  with  wheat  on  the 
North  side  of  the  road,  and  rye  on  the  South  side,  before 
harvest  I laid  off  an  acre  on  each  side  of  the  road  where  the 
ground  appeared  nearly  equal,  that  of  the  wheat  how- 
ever was  somewhat  the  best,  but  the  wheat  & the  rye  hav- 
ing been  sown  at  the  same  time  which  was  very  late  for  the 
wheat  & in  good  time  for  the  rye.  this  circumstance  was 
thought  to  make  up  for  the  difference  in  the  quality  of  the 
ground,  the  wheat  & rye  being  stacked  separately,  each 
stack  measured  exactly  4.  8 cubic  yards:  & the  wheat 
yielded  3.  bushels  3.  peeks,  & the  rye  3^  bushels  of  clean 
grain. 

the  bulk  of  wheat  in  the  stack  then  was  to  the  bulk 

of  grain  as  129,6;  4.6873::  27.64: 1 that  of  rye 

as  129.6:4.37s  :; 29.62:1 

31.  one  fallow  field  is  sowed  on  each  side  the  river. 

Sep.  1.  begin  to  gather  fodder.  Col**.  N.  Lewis  began  a week  ago. 
begin  to  gather  peaches  for  mobby. 

II.  the  rains  have  been  so  constant  that  it  has  been  impossible 
to  tread  out  the  wheat  at  Shadwell.  $.  stacks  of  about 
30.  bushels  each  are  still  untrodden. 

22.  finish  treading  wheat  at  Shadwell.  no  weavil  yet  to  do 
injury,  fodder  got  & stacked  at  Shadwell.  at  Monticello 
it  took  but  7.  or  8.  days. 

Oct.  21.  began  to  gather  corn  & to  dig  potatoes. 

Wheat  sowed  on  each  side  of  the  river  & the  dates  of 
sowing. 


Monticello  acres 

Aug.  20.-31,  Riverfield  about  . 36 

Sep.  Highfield  36 

Newgp’ound 8 

Longneld  20 

Oct.  10.-28.  Slatefield  .......  35 


135 


Shadwell  acres 

Aug.  20-31.  Eastfield  ...  35 
Sep.  Triangle  10. 

Pantops  ....  10 

Road  60 

Oct.  18-26.  Triangles  . 30 
a7,-Nov.2i.  Middle- 

field  35 


*70  — 305 


i79S]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  431 

Ploughing  days  this  year  have  been  as  follow,  viz. 

gj-|notone. 

Mar.  23.  during  the  Summer  months  of  this  year  there  were  prob- 
Apr.  24^.  ably  twice  as  may  wet  days  as  in  common  years,  for  nothing 
May.  2^.  like  it  has  ever  been  seen  within  the  memory  of  man.  yet 
June  20.  these  10.  months,  being  43.  weeks  & 5.  days  have  given  220. 
July  24.  ploughing  days,  which  average  more  than  5.  a week,  the 


Aug.  19.  account  stands  thus.  days 

Sep.  22.  In  these  10.  months  are 306 

Oct.  24.  of  these  there  were  Sundays  & holidays  ....  49 

Nov.  23.  ploughing  days 220 

Dec.  20.  wet,  frozen  &c.  d“ 37  306. 


220. 

* Tufton,  one  of  Jefferson’s  estates  adjoining  Monticello. 
It  has  passed  through  many  hands  since  Jefferson’s  death. 

* See  plate  XIII  for  the  location  of  BelHeld  and  Slatefield. 
This  method  of  measuring  distances  with  the  step  of  his  horse 
shows  again  Jefferson’s  originality  in  doing  things. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1795 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Jan.  29.  1795, 

. . . We  have 'had  no  ploughing  weather  since  Christmas,  on  the 
24*'*  we  had  snow  9. 1,  deep,  yesterday  the  South  hill  sides  began  to  be 
bare  enough  for  work,  to-day  we  have  a little  rain  & sleet  which  will 
end  in  rain  probably  &:  carry  off  the  remains  of  the  snow.  . . . could 
you  take  the  trouble  of  knowing  whether,  if  I find  we  have  lost  the 
method  of  making  bricks  without  treading  the-  mortar,  I can  have  mr 
Pleasant’s  man,  & on  what  terms.  {Jtjferson  Papers^  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Feb.  5.  1795- 

. . . Procure  for  me  from  some  of  the  seedsmen  some  of  the  seed  of 
the  winter  vetch  (it  is  the  vicia  sativa,  senino  alba  of  Miller),  as  it  is 
cheap,  you  may  be  governed  in  the  quantity.  . . . convenience  of  bring- 
ing. ...  we  have  now  had  about  4 'weeks  of  winter  weather,  rather 
hard  for  our  climate,  many  little  snows  which  did  not  lay  24.  hours  & 
one  9.  I.  deep  which  remained  several  days,  we  have  had  few  thawing 
days  during  the  time.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


232 


Jbffisrson’s  Garden  Book 


[»79S 


(Jefferson  to  Monsieur  D’lvernois.) 

Monticello,  in  Virginia,  Feb.  6,  1795. 

...  I have  returned,  with  infinite  appetite,  to  the  enjoyment  of  my 
farm,  my  family  & my  books,  and  had  determined  to  meddle  in  nothing 
beyond  their  limits.  (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  163.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Feb.  12.  179S. 

Your  favor  of  the  1“  inst.  came  to  hand  on  the  h***.  we  the  next  day 
strewed  some  clover  seed  on  moistened  cotton,  this  is  the  6“*  day,  & 
the  plate  has  been  set  on  the  hearth  every  night,  they  have  not  sprouted, 
but  I think  they  are  swelled,  by  the  next  post  we  may  probably  decide 
whether  they  will  sprout  or  not.  the  weather  continues  cold,  snc^,  & 
unfriendly  to  the  labors  of  the  field:  no  ploughing  since  Christmas. 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Feb.  19.  1795. 

. . . James  arrived  yesterday  with  your  favor  of  the  14*“.  the  book 
& the  Cole  seed,  your  clover  seed  put  on  the  moistened  cotton  has  not 
yet  sprouted,  perhaps  this  is  owing  to  the  severity  of  the  weather,  this 
has  indeed  been  very  unusual,  & I fear  fatal  to  a great  proportion  of  our 
wheat,  the  morning  cold  for  these  10  days  past  has  been  from  1 1,  to  33. 
the  afternoon  from  23.  to  37°.  no  ploughing  could  be  done,  & very 
little  of  any  other  work:  so  those  like  my  overseer,  loss  the  fall,  very 
little  time  will  have  been  furnished  by  the  winter  to  regain  their  loss. 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Mar.  5.  1795. 

...  we  have  now  fine  weather  for  work,  as  your  clover  seed  did 
not  sprout,  1 have  advised  the  leaving  it  unsowed  till  you  come.  I shall 
not  sow  mine  till  the  last  week  in  March.  I had  your  bags  of  clover 
seed  emptied  to  search  for  the  radish  seed,  but  no  such  thing  was  in 
them,  there  was  a paper  of  clover  seed  found  in  one  of  them,  which  I 
suppose  has  been  put  in  by  mistake  for  the  other,  if  this  finds  you  in 
Richmond,  pray  get  me  some  of  the  scarlet  radish  seed,  as  it  is  not  to  be 
had  in  this  neighborhood,  & is  I think  the  only  kind  worth  cultivating. 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Mar.  5.  95. 

Your  favor  of  Feb.  15.  is  duly  recaved  & I now  enclose  the  letter  for 
ntf  [illegible],  which  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  deliver  to  him  open  or 


*795] 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


233 


sealed  as  you  think  best,  & apologize  to  him  for  my  availing  myself  of 
the  opportunity  of  getting  the  vetch  from  England  virhich  you  say  is  not 
to  be  had  in  Philadelphia,  the  universal  culture  of  this  plant  in  Europe 
establishes  it’s  value  in  a farm,  & I find  two  intervals  in  my  rotation 
where  I can  have  crops  of  it  without  it's  costing  me  a single  ploughing, 
my  main  object  is  to  turn  it  in  as  a green  dressing  in  the  spring  of  the 
year,  having  sowed  it  on  the  fall  fallow,  in  the  meantime,  should  a 
short  crop  of  fodder  or  hard  winter  call  for  it  as  fodder,  it  is  a most 
abundant  & valuable  green  fodder  through  the  whole  winter. — . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monttcello  Apr.  13.  93. 

This  is  not  the  long  letter  I intend  to  write  in  answer  to  yours 
of  the  5*“.  ult.  that  must  await  a rainy  day,  perhaps  a rainy  season,  but 
as  the  sowing  of  the  succory  will  not  wait  I write  a line  for  the  present, 
nlerely  to  cover  a little  seed  which  I have  procured  from  a neighbor  for 
you.  it  must  be  sown  immediately  in  drills  which  will  admit  the 
plough,  & very  thin  in  the  drill  as  the  plant  is  a very  tall  St  large  one. 
it  requires  strong  land,  is  perennial,  and  unquestionably  valuable. — the 
mouldboard  cannot  come  by  post.  1 have  with  very  great  satisfaction  & 
saving,  tried  the  seed  box  described  in  the  New  York  agricultural  trans- 
actions for  sowing  clover,  if  you  have  not  the  pamphlet,  the  box  is 
simply  of  half  inch  poplar  (for  lightness)  7.  feet  long,  6 inches  broad  4 
Inches  deep,  divided  by  partitions  into  seven  equal  compartments,  or  cells, 
a diagonal  drawn  in  the  bottom  of  each  cell  and  2 holes  of  ^ I.  diameter 
bored  through  the  bottom  on  the  diagonal  equally  distant  from  each 
other  & from  the  corners:  then  a bit  of  strong  paper  is  pasted  over  the 
holes,  & a hole  burnt  thro’  that  with  a wire  of  sudi  size  as  on  trial  will 
be  found  to  shed  the  seed  exactly  fast  enough,  a neighbor  of  mine,  CoK 
Lewis,  the  evenest  seedsman  we  know  came  to  try  the  box,  in  compari- 
son of  his  own  sowing,  and  pronounced  that  the  eveness  of  the  work 
with  the  box  exceeded  anything  possible  from  the  human  hand.  I have 
sowed  an  hundred  acres  of  red  clover  with  it  within  this  fortnight,  at  ii. 
gills  to  the  acre,  to  have  sowed  it  equally  thick  every  where  by  hand 
would  have  taken  16.  qu**,  and  consequently  ^ of  the  space  would 
have  been  too  thick,  consequently  I have  saved  13.  gallons  of  seed,  or 
13.  dollars,  I should  have  mentioned  that  2.  straps  are  nailed  round 
the  box  for  the  seedsman  to  hold  & shake  it  by,  as  he  would  a sifter,  he 
will  sow  a 9 foot  land  at  a time. — have  received  the  drill,  several  of 
it’s  parts  got  lost  on  the  journey.  1 can  supply  them  all  however,  ex- 
cept die  band  & buckets  for  the  seeds,  your  letter  mentions  three  of 
these  for  seed  of  different  kinds,  St  there  came  only  one,  which  I judge 
to  be  the  one  for  turnep  seed,  that  for  peas  1 shall  particularly  want, 
if  you  could  forward  the  two  deficient  sizes  to  Col”.  Gamble  at  Rich- 
mond I shall  soon  get  them;  & if  before  pea-sowing  so  much  the  better, 
we  were  to  have  tried  the  drill  to-day  on  a piece  of  Lucerne  ground;  but 
a glorious  rain  the  last  night  has  agreeably  disappointed  us.  could  it 


234 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1795 


not  be  made  for  drilling  wheat  in  the  broad-cast?  that  is  to  say,  sow  8 
rows,  9.  I.  apart  at  a time,  the  Jersey  drill,  (described  in  the  N.  Y. 
agticK  transactions)  sows  in  13  I.  rows,  4 rows  at  a time.  I have  tried 
the  Jersey  drill  with  small  seeds,  & it  will  not  answer  without  some  ad- 
ditional apparatus,  we  should  save  much  seed  & sow  evencr  by  s(mng 
with  machines  in  the  broadcast,  such  a machine  will  be  very  desirable 
to  me  when  I get  my  vetch,  let  me  recommend  to  you  to  read  Millar’s 
gardener’s  diet,  article  Fieta.  in  my  circle  of  crops  I can  have  2.  or  3. 
fields  of  this  every  winter  for  either  winter  forage  or  spring  green  dress- 
ings, without  their  costing  me  a single  ploughing  more  than  I am  to  give 
without  the  vetch.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers.  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monticello  Apr.  15.  95. 

We  have  tried  the  drill  with  Lucerne  seed,  and  found  it  shed  a great 
deal  too  much,  so  that  we  were  obliged  to  lay  it  aside.  I presume  there- 
fore I was  mistaken  in  saying  the  band  & buckets  which  came  were  for 
turnep  seed,  we  rather  guess  they  were  for  peas  or  corn.  I must  cor- 
rect therefore  my  petition  for  the  two  larger  sizes,  and  in  the  uncer- 
tainty in  which  I am,  I must  rather  pray  for  a complete  set.  . . . (7e/- 
f arson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  April  27,  1795. 

. . . My  health  is  entirely  broken  down  within  the  last  eight  months ; 
my  age  requires  that  I should  place  my  affairs  in  a clear  state ; these  are 
sound  if  taken  care  of,  but  capable  of  considerable  dangers  if  longer 
neglected ; and  above  all  things,  the  delights  I feel  in  the  society  of  my 
family,  and  in  the  agricultural  pursuits  in  which  1 am  so  eagerly  en-  ■ 
gaged.  The  little  spice  of  ambition  which  I had  in  my  younger  days 
has  long  since  evaporated,  and  I set  still  less  store  by  posthumous  than 
present  name.  ...  I am  proceeding  in  my  agricultural  plans  with  a 
slow  but  sure  step.  To  get  under  full  way  will  require  four  or  five 
years.  But  patience  and  perseverance  will  accomplish  it.  My  little 
essay  in  red  clover,  the  last  year,  has  had  the  most  encouraging  success. 
I sowed  then  about  forty  acres.  I have  sowed  this  year  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  which  the  rain  now  falling  comes  very  opportunely  on. 
From  one  hundred  and  sixty  to  two  hundred  acres  will  be  my  yearly 
sowing.  The  seed-box  described  in  the  agricultural  transactions  of  New 
York,  reduces  the  expense  of  seeding  from  six  shillings  to  two  shillings 
and  three  pence  the  acre,  and  does  the  business  better  than  is  possible  to 
be  done  by  the  human  hand.  May  we  hope  a visit  from  you  ? If  we 
may,  let  it  be  after  the  middle  of  May,  by  which  time  I hope  to  be  re- 
turned from  Bedford.  1 hare  had  a proposition  to  meet  Mr,  Henry 
there  this  month,  to  confer  on  the  subject  of  a convention,  to  the  calling 
of  which  he  is  now  become  a convert  , . , (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef* 
f arson  9:  302-304.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


235 


179s] 

(Jefferson  to  William  B.  Giles.) 

Monticello,  April  27,  1795. 

...  I believe  I should  be  tempted  to  leave  my  clover  for  awhile,  to 
go  and  hail  the  dawn  of  liberty  & republicanism  in  that  island.  1 shall 
be  rendered  very  happy  by  the  visit  you  promise  me.  The  only  thing 
wanting  to  make  me  completely  so,  is  the  more  frequent  society  of  my 
friends.  It  is  the  more  wanting,  as  I am  become  more  firmly  fixed  to 
the  globe.  If  you  visit  me  as  a farmer,  it  must  be  as  a condisciple : for  I 
am  but  a learner;  an  eager  one  indeed,  but  yet  desperate,  being  too 
old  now  to  learn  a new  art.  However,  I am  as  much  delighted  and 
occupied  with  it,  as  if  1 was  the  greatest  adept.  I shall  talk  with  you 
about  it  from  morning  till  night,  and  put  you  on  very  short  allowance 
as  to  political  aliment.  Now  and  then  a pious  ejaculation  for  the  French 
and  Dutch  republicans,  returning  with  due  despatch  to  clover,  potatoes, 
wheat,  etc.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  305.) 

(Jefferson  to  M.  De  Meusnier.) 

Monticello,  Virginia,  Apr.  29,  95. 

...  I am  myself  a nail-maker.  On  returning  home  after  an  ab- 
sence of  ten  years,  I found  my  farms  so  much  deranged  that  I saw  evi- 
dently they  would  be  a burden  to  me  instead  of  a support  till  I could 
regenerate  them;  & consequently  that  it  was  necessary  for  me  to  find 
some  other  resource  in  the  meantime.  I thought  for  a while  of  taking 
up  the  manufacture  of  pot-ash,  which  requires  but  small  advances  of 
money.  I concluded  at  length  however  to  begin  a manufacture  of  nails, 
which  needs  little  or  no  capital,  & I now  employ  a dozen  little  boys  from 
10.  to  16.  years  of  age,  overlooking  all  the  details  of  their  business  myself 
& drawing  from  it  a profit  on  which  I can  get  along  till  I can  put  my 
farms  into  a course  of  yielding  profit.  My  new  trade  of  nail-making  is 
to  me  in  this  country  what  an  additional  title  of  nobility  or  the  ensigns 
of  a new  order  are  in  Europe.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  I74-I7S*) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

Monticello  May  26,  1795. 

...  If  I can  get  the  proper  orders  from  him  I will  have  the  ground 
above  mentioned  [Mohroe’s  new  land  he  had  bought  near  JJionticello'] 
planted  in  fruit  trees  from  my  own  nursery,  where  I have  made  an  extra 
provision  on  your  account.  . . . Colie  is  lately  sold  for  & 375.  to  a Mr. 
Catlet,  a farmer,  whom  I do  not  know.  ...  I have  divided  my  farms 
into  seven  fields  on  this  rotation,  i.  wheat.  2.  peas  & potatoes.  3. 
corn  & potatoes.  4.  peas  & potatoes  till  1 can  get  the  vetch  from  Europe. 
5.  rye.  6.  clover.  7.  clover.  My  lands  were  so  worn  that  they  re- 
quired this  gentle  treatment  to  recover  them.  , . . There  are  two  or 
t^ree  objects  which  you  should  endeavor  to  enrich  our  country  with. 
I.  the  Alpine  strawberry,  a.  The  skylark,  3.  The  red  legged  Partridge. 


236  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i79S 

I despair  too  much  of  the  nightingale  to  add  that.  (Ford,  Jefferson  8: 
178-181.) 

(Jefferson  to  Philip  Mazzei.) 

Monticello  May  30,  1795, 

...  I send  herein  a few  seeds  of  our  cymlin  (with  running  vines)  & 
some  squash  (with  upright  stems)  the  last  I got  at  New  York,  & are 
the  best  ever  yet  known.  ...  1 am  returned  home  with  an  inflexible 
determination  to  leave  it  no  more.  ...  I am  become  the  most  ardent 
and  active  farmer  in  the  state.  I live  constantly  on  horseback,  rarely 
taking  a book  & never  a pen  if  I can  avoid  it.  this  has  had  it’s  share  in 
the  tardiness  of  the  present  letter,  for  if  I am  ever  in  the  house,  it  is  in 
such  a state  of  fatigue  as  prevents  both  thought  & action.  I am  just 
resuming  my  buildings.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Tench  Coxe.) 

Monticello  June  i,  1795. 

. . . We  are  enjoying  a most  seasonable  sowing  after  a winter  which 
had  greatly  injured  our  small  grain.  Nothing  can  give  us  a great  crop. 
I doubt  if  it  can  be  made  even  a good  one.  Our  first  hay-cutting 
(clover)  begins  to-day.  This  may  mark  to  you  the  difference  of  your 
seasons  & ours.  My  clover  in  common  upland  fields  which  were  never 
manured  will  yield  isoo  lb.  to  the  acre  at  this  cutting,  which  I consider 
as  an  encouraging  beginning.  (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  183.) 

(Jefferson  to  General  Henry  Knox.) 

Monticello  June  i,  1795. 

. . . have  you  become  a farmer?  is  it  not  pleasanter  than  to  be  shut 
up  within  4.  walls  and  delving  eternally  with  the  pen?  I am  become 
the  most  ardent  farmer  in  the  state.  I live  on  my  horse  from  morning 
to  night  almost,  intervals  are  filled  up  with  attentions  to  a nailery  I 
carry  on.  I rarely  look  into  a book,  and  more  rarely  take  up  a pen.  I 
have  proscribed  newspapers,  hot  taking  a single  one,  nor  scarcely  ever 
looking  into  one.  my  next  reformation  will  be  to  allow  neither  pen,  ink, 
nor  paper  to  be  kept  on  the  farm,  when  I have  accomplished  this  I 
shall  be  in  a fair  way  of  indemnifying  myself  for  the  drudgery  in  which 
I have  passed  my  life,  if  you  are  half  as  much  delighted  with  the  farm 
as  I am,  you  bless  your  stars  at  your  riddance  from  public  cares,  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monticello  June  8.  1795. 

I enclose  you  a few  seed  of  the  Rutabaga,  or  Swedish  winter  turnep. 
this  is  the  plant  which  the  English  Government  thought  of  value  enough 
to  be  procured  at  public  expense  from  Sweden,  cultivated  and  dispersed, 
a fflf  Strickland,  an  English  gentleman  from  Yorkshire,  lately  here,  left 


1793] 


Jepfeiisom's  Garden  Book 


257 


a few  seeds  with  me,  of  which  I impart  to  you.  he  tells  me  it  has  such 
advantage  over  the  common  turnep  that  it  is  spreading  rapidly  over  Eng* 
land  & will  become  their  chief  turnep.  it's  principal  excellence  is  it's 
remaining  in  the  held  unhurt  even  by  the  severities  of  the  Swedish 
winter,  he  suspects  that  in  the  seed  he  gave  me,  there  is  an  accidental 
mixture  of  common  turnep.  it  may  be  easily  distinguished  when  it 
comes  up,  as  the  leaf  of  the  Ruta-bage  resembles  that  of  rape  or  cabbage 
& not  at  all  that  of  turnep.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(John  Breckenridge  to  Jefferson.) 

Fayette,  July,  1795. 

Your  note  for  the  clover  seed  came  to  hand  a week  ago,  and  an  opp". 
which  I think  preferable  to  me  by  post  now  offers  by  Col®.  Quarles,  of 
sending  you  a few  seeds.  It  is  not  easily  got  in  my  neighborhood,  hav- 
ing almost  entirely  disappeared.  Fray  ought  I not  to  send  you  a little 
of  the  soil  also  ? I fear  the  seed  will  not  acknowledge  that  about  Monti- 
cello.  I sincerely  wish  locx)  of  the  tens  of  thousand  of  acres  of  our 
fertile  uncultivated  land,  could  be  spread  around  you.  You  might  then 
really  farm  with  both  pleasure  & profit.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Aug.  ii.  95. 

...  we  have  had  a terrible  storm  which  has  thrown  our  corn  gener- 
ally prostrate,  we  shall  be  greatly  at  a loss  in  sowing  wheat  among  it. 
Robertson  set  up  as  much  of  his  as  enabled  him  to  sow  18.  bushels  of 
wheat,  in  general  we  shall  be  obliged  to  put  in  our  wheat  with  the 
houghs,  it  will  also  much  lessen  the  crop  of  corn.  Robertson  has  got 
out  between  3.  & 400  bushels  of  your  wheat,  & has  about  260.  to  get  out. 
he  judges  by  having  measured  the  produce  of  one  stack,  20.  bushels,  & 
has  13.  stacks  still  to  get  out.  he  goes  on  constantly  with  4.  horses:  but 
we  have  had  such  a quantity  of  wet  weather  as  has  greariy  obstructed 
treading,  the  weavil  is  very  generally  apprehended. — the  result  of  my 
trial  of  the  acre  of  wheat  & rye  was  4.8  cubic  yards  of  each  in  the  stack, 
and  14.  pecks  of  rye  & 15.  of  wheat,  when  cleaned,  this  gives  a cubic 
foot  of  wheat  from  every  cubic  yard  of  the  stack,  and  of  rye  part  of 
the  stack,  the  ground  having  been  of  the  weakest  kind,  for  it  yeilded 
but  3^  bushels  to  the  acre,  the  experiment  is  decisively  against  the  com- 
mon opinion  that  it  is  better  to  put  weak  land  into  rye  than  wheat,  and 
will  change  my  rye  after  corn  into  wheat  after  corn.  . . , (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Aug.  18.  1795. 

. . . Col®  N.  Lewis  lies  dangerously  St  almost  desperatdy  ill.  I 
mentioned  in  my  last  letter  the  ravages  committed  by  the  rains,  since 


Jefferson's  (jarden  Book 


ti79S 


that  we  have  had  still  worse.  I imagine  we  never  lost  more  soil  than 
this  summer,  it  is  moderately  estimated  at  a year’s  rent,  our  crops  of 
corn  will  be  much  shortened  by  the  prostrate  & drowned  condition  of 
the  plants,  particularly  of  the  topsoil  which  can  perform  it’s  office  of 
impregnation  but  partially  & Imperfectly,  our  peaches  are  getting  into 
perfection,  they  are  fine  in  quality  & abundant,  tobacco  has  fired  ex- 
cessively. many  have  cut  their  crops  green.  I fear  to  hear  from  Bed- 
ford. {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Mann  Page.) 

Monticello,  August  30,  1795. 

It  was  not  in  my  power  to  attend  at  Fredericksburg.  . . . The  heat 
of  the  weather,  the  business  of  the  farm,  to  which  I have  made  myself 
necessary,  forbade  it ; and  to  give  one  round  reason  for  all,  mature  sanus, 
I have  laid  up  my  Rosinante  in  his  stall,  before  his  unfitness  for  the  road 
shall  expose  him  faultering  to  the  world.  But  why  did  not  I answer 
you  in  time?  Because,  in  truth,  I am  encouraging  myself  to  grow  lazy, 
and  I was  sure  you  would  ascribe  the  delay  to  anytning  sooner  than  a 
want  of  affection  or  respect  to  you,  for  this  was  not  among  the  possible 
causes.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  306.) 


(Jefferson  to  George  Washington.) 

Monticello,  Sept.  12,  1795. 

...  I must  say  a word  to  you  about  the  Succory  you  received  from 
mf  Young,  and  were  so  kind  as  to  give  me  some  of  the  seed.  I sowed 
about  J or  ^ of  an  acre  last  year,  it  cut  little  figure  that  year,  but 
this  year  it’s  growth  has  been  most  luxuriant  indeed.  I have  not  cut  it, 
but  kept  the  whole  for  seed,  & to  furnish  young  plants  for  transplanting 
which  it  does  in  very  great  abundance  from  what  I see  of  it,  and  what 
mf  Strickland  told  me  (that  he  had  known  it  cut  5.  times  a year  in 
England)  1 consider  it  one  of  the  greatest  acquisitions  a farmer  can  have. 
I sowed  at  the  same  time  2.  acres  of  Lucerne,  in  exactly  an  equal  soil, 
which  in  both  instances  had  been  originally  rich,  but  was  considerably 
exhausted.  I gave  the  Lucerne  this  last  year  a good  coat  of  dung,  & 
due  tillage ; yet  it  is  such  poor  dwindling  stuff  that  I have  abandoned  it, 
while  the  Succory  without  dung  or  tillage  is  fine.  . T . never  had  any 
reformer  so  barbarous  a state  of  things  to  encounter  as  I have,  it  will 
be  the  work  of  years  before  the  eye  will  find  any  satisfaction  in  my 
fields.  . . . The  field  pea  of  Europe  and  their  winter  vetch  I find  to  be 
great  desiderata  in  the  farm.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Monsieur  Odit^) 

Monticello,  October  14,  1795. 

.'  . . My  books,  my  family,  my  friends,  and  my  farm,  furnish  more 
than  enough  to  occupy  me  the  remainder  of  my  life,  and  of  that  tranquil 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


239 


1795] 

occupation  most  analogous  to  my  physical  and  moral  constitution.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  312.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  Nov.  26,  95. 

. . . Our  autumn  is  £ne.  The  weather  mild  Sc  intermixed  with 
moderate  rains  at  proper  intervals.  No  ice  yet,  & not  much  frost.  . . . 
(Ford,  Jefferson  8:  199.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edward  Rutledge.) 

Monticello,  Nov.  30.  1795. 

I received  your  favor  of  Oct.  12  by  your  son,  who  has  been  kind 
enough  to  visit  me  here,  and  from  whose  visit  I have  received  all  that 
pleasure  which  I do  from  whatever  comes  from  you,  and  especially  from 
a subject  so  deservedly  dear  to  you.  He  found  me  in  a retirement  I 
doat  on,  living  like  an  Antediluvian  patriarch  among  my  children  & 
grandchildren,  and  tilling  my  soil.  ...  I told  your  son  I had  long  had 
it  in  contemplation  to  write  you  for  half  a dozen  sour  orange  trees,  of  a 
proper  size  for  small  boxes,  as  they  abound  with  you.  The  only  trouble 
they  would  give  would  be  the  putting  them  into  boxes  long  enough 
before  sending  them  for  them  to  take  root,  & when  rooted  to  put  them 
into  some  vessel  coming  direct  to  Richmond  to  the  care  of  Mr  Daniel 
Hylton  there.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8;  199-201.) 

From  Account  Book  ijgff: 

Jan,  II.  gave  mr  Petit  to  bear  exp.  to  Augusta  for  sheep  12/. 

Jan.  15.  received  from  A.  Stuart  20.  sheep  @ 6/7  - - 6-11-8. 

23  d®.  @ 7/6  - - 8-12-6. 

June  1.  p*.  for  lamb  3/. 

June  9.  bought  of  Cornelius  7.  old  sheep  & i young  one  for  £ 3. 
June  24.  sent  W,  Gooch  for  a lamb  i.  D. 

Oct.  13.  p*.  a negro  (Will)  for  la.  quarts  greensword  seed  la/. 

Oct.  25.  p^.  for  12^  quarts  greenswerd  seed  ia/6. 

Nov.  24.  Page  comes  into  my  service  as  overseer  at  Shadwell  & Lego 
at  £ 35  a year  Sc  500  lb  pork.  [Page  later  became  overseer 
at  Monticello.^ 

From  Farm  Book: 

179S-  J*ii  8*  tlie  toad  which  leads  from  the  Grave  yard  gate,  descend- 
ing I foot  in  10.  into  that  leading  to  the  Secretary’s  ford,  being  250. 
yards  took  21.  days  work,  which  is  12  yds  each,  there  was  some  stone 
and  grubs  to  dig,  but  ne'er  a tree  to  take  up.  it  may  be  estimated  @ 
i a yard  or  30.  Dol.  a mile. 


179^ 

lygt.*  The  most  important  happening  to  Jefferson  this 
year  was  his  election,  on  November  4,  to  the  Vice  Presidency 
of  the  United  States.  His  election  was  a new  active  beginning 
into  the  political  life  of  the  nation  which  was  to  last  until 
March,  1809.  Monticello  was  again  to  be  left  to  overseers. 
The  systematic  farming  operations  which  he  had  put  into 
effect  during  the  past  two  years,  and  which  were  just  beginning 
to  show  results,  were  soon  to  be  only  partially  continued. 

This  year  also  saw  the  use  at  Monticello  of  his  “mould- 
board  of  least  resistence,”  which  he  had  invented  and  per- 
fected. He  wrote  to  Jonathan  Williams  on  July  3 : 

You  wish  me  to  present  to  the  Philosophical  Society  the  result  of  my 
philosophical  researches  since  my  retirement.  But,  my  good  Sir,  I have 
made  researches  into  nothing  but  what  is  connected  with  agriculture. 
In  this  way  I have  a little  matter  to  communicate,  and  will  do  it  ere 
long.  It  is  the  form  of  a mould-board  of  least  resistance.  I had  some 
time  ago  conceived  the  principles  of  it,  and  I explained  them  to  Mr. 
Rittenhouse.  I have  since  reduced  the  thing  to  practice  and  have  rea- 
son to  believe  the  theory  fully  confirmed.  I only  wish  for  one  of  those 
instruments  used  in  England  for  measuring  the  force  exerted  in  the 
drafts  of  different  plows,  etc.,  that  I might  compare  the  resistance  of  my 
mould-board  with  that  of  others.  But  these  instruments  are  not  to  be 
had  here.  (Randall,  Jefferson  a;  308.)  (See  appendix  VI  for  Jeffer- 
son’s description  of  his  mould-board.) 

The  nailery  continued  to  flourish,  Jefferson  wrote  to  Archi- 
bald Stuart  on  January  3 : “My  present  works  turn  out  a ton  a 
month  ...  & two  additional  fires  which  will  be  at  work  in  a 
short  time,  will  raise  it  to  a ton  and  a half  a month”  (Ford, 
Jeferson  8;  212),  He  wrote  to  Mr.  Randolph  on  January 
II,  about  setting  up  stores  of  his  own  to  sell  nails  at  Milton, 
Charlottesville,  and  Staunton. 

The  remodeling  of  Jefferson’s  house  was  carried  on  through 
the  spring,  summer,  and  fall.  In  writing  to  James  Madison 
on  December  17,  he  mentioned  that  the  weather  was  so  severe, 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

240 


1796] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


241 


“It  arrested  my  buildings  very  suddenly,  when  eight  days  more 
would  have  completed  my  walls,  and  permitted  us  to  cover  in.” 

One  of  the  most  pleasant  experiences  for  Jefferson  during 
the  early  summer  was  a visit  from  the  Duke  de  la  Roche- 
foucauld-Liancourt,  of  France.  He  reached  Monticello  on 
June  22  and  remained  until  the  29th.  In  his  Travels  through 
the  United  States  of  North  America,  in  the  Years  ifgs,  1796, 
1797,  he  gave  an  accurate  picture  of  the  life  at  Monticello 
during  the  time  of  his  visit.  He  wrote  at  length  on  Jefferson’s 
agricultural  pursuits,  an  account  of  which  is  quoted  here  be- 
cause of  the  faithful  summary  it  gives  of  what  Jefferson  was 
undertaking  and  accomplishing.  After  describing  the  situa- 
tion and  the  house,  he  wrote : 

On  this  mountain,  and  in  the  surrounding  valleys,  on  both  banks  of 
the  Rivanna,  are  situated  the  five  thousand  acres  of  land  which  Mr. 
Jefferson  possesses  in  this  part  of  Virginia.  Eleven  hundred  and 
twenty  only  are  cultivated.  The  land  left  to  the  care  of  stewards  has 
suffered  as  well  as  the  buildings  from  the  long  absence  of  the  master ; 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  country,  it  has  been  exhausted  by  suc- 
cessive culture.  Its  situation  on  the  declivities  of  hills  and  mountains 
renders  a careful  cultivation  more  necessary  than  is  requisite  in  lands 
situated  in  a flat  and  even  country;  the  common  routine  is  more  per- 
nicious, and  more  judgment  and  mature  thought  are  required,  than  in  a 
different  soil.  This  forms  at  present  the  chief  employment  of  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson. But  little  accustomed  to  agricultural  pursuits,  he  has  drawn  the 
principles  of  culture  either  from  works  which  treat  on  this  subject  or 
from  conversation.  Knowledge  thus  acquired  often  misleads,  and  is  at 
all  times  insufficient  in  a country  where  agriculture  is  well  understood ; 
yet  it  is  preferable  to  mere  practical  knowledge,  and  a country  where  a 
bad  practice  prevails,  and  where  it  is  dangerous  to  follow  the  routine, 
from  which  it  is  so  difficult  to  depart.  Above  all,  much  good  may  be 
expected,  if  a contemplative  mind,  like  that  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  which 
takes  the  theory  for  its  guide,  watches  its  application  with  discernment, 
and  rectifies  it  according  to  the  peculiar  circumstances  and  nature  of  the 
country,  climate,  and  soil,  and  conformably  to  the  experience  which  he 
daily  acquires. 

Pur^ant  to  the  ancient  rotation,  tobacco  was  cultivated  four  or  five 
successive  years ; the  land  was  then  suffered  to  lie  fallow,  and  then  again 
succeeded  crops  of  tobacco.  The  culture  of  tobacco  being  now  almost 
entirely  relinquished  in  this  part  of  Virginia,  the  common  rotation  begins 
with  wheat,  followed  by  Indian  com,  and  then  again  wheat,  until  the 
exhausted  soil  loses  every  productive  power ; the  field  is  then  abandoned, 
and  the  cultivator  proceeds  to  another,  which  he  treats  and  abandons  in 
the  same  manner,  until  he  returns  to  the  first,  which  has  in  the  mean- 
time recovered  some  of  its  productive  faculties.  The  disproportion  be- 


24a  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1796 

tween  the  quantity  of  land  which  belongs  to  the  planters  and  the  hands 
they  can  employ  in  its  culture,  diminishes  the  inconveniences  of  this  de- 
testable method.  The  land  which  never  receives  the  least  manure,  sup- 
ports a longer  or  shorter  time  this  alternate  cultivation  of  wheat  and 
Indian  corn,  according  to  its  nature  and  situation,  and  regains,  accord- 
ing to  the  same  circumstances,  more  or  less  speedily  the  power  of  pro- 
ducing new  crops.  If  in  the  interval  it  be  covered  with  heath  and 
weeds,  it  frequently  is  again  fit  for  cultivation  at  the  end  of  eight  or  ten 
years ; if  not,  a space  of  twenty  years  is  not  sufficient  to  render  it  capable 
of  production.  Planters  who  are  not  possessed  of  a sufficient  quantity 
of  land  to  let  so  much  of  it  remain  unproductive  for  such  a length  of 
time,  fallow  it  in  a year  or  two  after  it  has  borne  wheat  and  Indian  corn, 
during  which  time  the  iRelds  serve  as  pasture,  and  are  hereupon  again 
cultivated  in  the  same  manner.  In  either  case  the  land  produces  from 
five  to  six  bushels  of  wheat,  or  from  ten  to  fifteen  bushels  of  Indian  corn, 
the  acre.  To  the  produce  of  Indian  corn  must  be  added  one  hundred 
pounds  of  leaves  to  every  five  bushels,  or  each  barrel,  of  grain.  These 
leaves  are  given  as  fodder  to  the  cattle.  It  was  in  this  manner  that  Mr. 
Jefferson’s  land  had  always  been  cultivated,  and  it  is  this  system  which  he 
'has  very  wisely  relinquished.  He  has  divided  all  his  land  under  culture 
into  four  farms,  and  every  farm  into  seven  fields  of  forty  acres.  Each 
farm  consists,  therefore,  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  His  system 
of  rotation  embraces  seven  years,  and  this  is  the  reason  why  each  farm 
has  been  divided  into  seven  fields.  In  the  first  of  these  seven  years 
wheat  is  cultivated ; in  the  second,  Indian  corn ; in  the  third,  pease  or 
potatoes;  in  the  fourth,  vetches;  in  the  fifth,  wheat;  and  in  the  sixth 
and  seventh,  clover.  Thus  each  of  his  fields  yields  some  produce  every 
year,  and  his  rotation  of  successive  culture,  while  it  prepares  the  soil  for 
the  following  crop,  increases  its  produce.  The  abundance  of  clover, 
potatoes,  pease,  etc.,  will  enable  him  to  keep  sufficient  cattle  for  manur- 
ing his  land,  which  at  present  receives  hardly  any  dung  at  all,  inde- 
pendently of  the  greater  profit  whi(^  he  will  in  future  derive  from  the 
sale  of  his  cattle. 

Each  farm,  under  the  direction  of  a particular  steward  or  bailiff,  is 
cultivated  by  four  negroes,  four  negresses,  four  oxen,  and  four  horses. 
The  bailiffs,  who  in  general  manage  their  farms  separately,  assist  each 
other  during  the  harvest,  as  well  as  at  any  other  time  when  there  is  any 
pressing  labor.  The  great  declivity  of  the  fields,  which  would  render  it 
extremely  troublesome  and  tedious  to  carry  the  produce,  even  of  each 
farm,  to  one  common  central  point,  has  induced  Mr.  Jefferson  to  con- 
struct on  each  field  a barn,  sufficiently  capacious  to  hold  its  produce  in 
grain;  the  produce  in  forage  is  also  housed  there,  but  this  is  generally, so 
great,  diat  it  becomes  necessary  to  make  stacks  near  the  barns.  The 
latter  are  constructed  of  trunks  of  trees,  and  the  floors  are  boarded. 
The  forests  and  slaves  reduce  the  expense  of  these  buildings  to  a mere 
trifle, 

Mr.  Jefferson  possesses  one  of  those  excellent  threshing  machines 
which  a few  years  since  were  invented  in  Scotland,  and  are  already 
very  common  in  England.  'This  machine,  the  whole  of  which  does 


1796] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


^43 


not  weigh  two  thousand  pounds,  is  conveyed  from  one  farm  to  an- 
other in  a wagon,  and  threshes  from  one  hundred  and  twenty  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  bushels  a day.  A worm,  whose  eggs  are  almost  con- 
stantly deposited  in  the  ear  of  the  grain,  renders  it  necessary  to  thresh 
the  corn  a short  time  after  the  harvest;  in  this  case  the  heat  occasioned 
by  the  mixture  of  grain  with  its  envelope,  from  which  it  is  disengaged, 
but  with  which  it  continues  mixed,  destroys  the  vital  principle  of  the 
egg,  and  protects  the  corn  from  the  inconveniences  of  its  being  hatched. 
If  the  grain  continued  in  the  ears,  without  being  speedily  beaten,  it 
would  be  destroyed  by  the  worm,  which  would  be  excluded  from  the 
eggs.  This  scourge,  however,  spreads  no  further  northwards  than  the 
Potomac,  and  is  bounded  to  the  west  by  the  Blue  Mountains.  A few 
weeks  after  the  corn  has  been  beaten  it  is  free  from  all  danger,  winnowed, 
and  sent  to  market.  The  Virginia  planters  have  generally  their  corn 
trodden  out  by  horses ; but  this  way  is  slow,  and  there  is  no  country  in 
the  world  where  this  operation  requires  more  dispatch  than  this  part  of 
Virginia.  Besides,  the  straw  is  bruised  by  the  treading  of  horses.  Mr. 
Jefferson  hopes  that  his  machine,  which  has  already  found  some  imitators 
among  his  neighbors,  will  be  generally  adopted  in  Virginia.  In  a coun- 
try where  all  the  inhabitants  possess  plenty  of  wood,  this  machine  may 
be  made  at  a very  trifling  expense. 

Mr.  Jefferson  rates  the  average  produce  of  an  acre  of  land,  in  the 
present  state  of  his  farm,  at  eight  bushels  of  wheat,  eighteen  bushels  of 
Indian  corn,  and  twenty  hundred  weight  of  clover.  After  the  land  has 
been  duly  manured,  he  may  expect  a produce  twice,  nay  three  times 
more  considerable.  But  his  land  will  never  be  dunged  as  much  as  in 
Europe.  Black  cattle  and  pigs,  which  in  our  country  are  either  con- 
stantly kept  on  the  farm,  or  at  least  return  thither  every  evening,  and 
whose  dung  is  carefully  gathered  and  preserved  either  separate  or  mixed, 
according  to  circumstances,  are  here  left  grazing  in  the  woods  the  whole 
year  round.  Mr.  Jefferson  keeps  no  more  sheep  than  are  necessary  for 
the  consumption  of  his  own  table.  He  cuts  his  clover  but  twice  each 
season,  and  does  not  suffer  his  cattle  to  graze  in  his  fields.  The  quantity 
of  his  dung  is  therefore  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  cattle  which  he 
can  keep  with  his  own  fodder,  and  which  he  intends  to  buy  at  the  be- 
ginning of  winter  to  sell  them  again  in  spring ; and  the  cattle  kept  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  barns  where  the  forage  is  housed,  will  furnish  manure 
only  for  the  ajacent  fields. 

From  an  opinion  entertained  by  Mr.  Jefferson  that  the  heat  of  the 
sun  destroys  or  at  least  dries  up  in  a great  measure,  the  nutricious  juices 
of  the  earth,  he  judges  it  necessary  that  it  should  be  always  covered.  In 
order,  therefore  to  preserve  his  fields,  as  well  as  to  multiply  their  produce, 
they  never  lie  fallow-  On  the  same  principle  he  cuts  his  clover  but 
twice  a season,  does  not  let  the  cattle  feed  on  the  grass,  nor  incloses  his 
fidds,  which  are  merdy  divided  by  a single  row  of  peadi  trees, 

A long  dcperience  would  be  required  to  form  a correct  judgment, 
whether  the  loss  of  dung,  which  this  system  occasions  in  his  farms,  and 
the  known  advantage  of  fidds  enclosed  with  ditches,  especially  in  a 
dedivitous  situation,  where  the  earth  from  the  higher  grounds  is  con- 


244 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1796 


stantly  washed  down  by  the  rain,  are  fully  compensated  by  the  vegetative 
powers  which  he  means  thus  to  preserve  in  his  fields.  His  s)rstem  is  en- 
tirely confined  to  himself ; it  is  censured  by  some  of  his  neighbors,  who 
are  also  employed  in  improving  their  culture  with  ability  and  skill,  but 
he  adheres  to  it,  and  thinks  it  founded  on  just  observations. 

Wheat,  as  has  already  been  observed,  is  the  chief  object  of  cultivation 
in  this  country.  The  rise,  which  within  these  two  years  has  taken  place 
in  the  price  of  this  article,  has  engaged  the  speculations  of  the  planters, 
as  well  as  the  merchants.  The  population  of  Virginia,  which  is  so  in- 
considerable in  proportion  to  its  extent,  and  so  little  collected  in  towns, 
would  offer  but  a very  precarious  market  for  large  numbers  of  cattle. 
Every  planter  has  as  many  of  them  in  the  woods  as  are  required  for  the 
consumption  of  his  family.  The  negroes,  who  form  a considerable  part 
of  the  population,  eat  but  little  meat,  and  this  little  is  pork.  Some 
farmers  cultivate  rye  and  oats,  but  they  are  few  in  number.  Corn  is 
sold  here  to  the  merchants  of  Milton  or  Charlottesville,  who  ship  it  to 
Richmond,  where  it  fetches  a shilling  more  per  bushel  than  in  other 
places.  Speculation  or  a pressing  want  of  money  may  at  times  occasion 
variations  in  this  manner  of  sale,  but  it  is  certainly  the  most  common 
way.  Money  is  very  scarse  in  this  district,  and  bank-notes  being  un- 
known, trade  is  chiefly  carried  on  by  barter;  the  merchant  who  receives 
the  grain  returns  its  value  in  such  commodities  as  the  vender  stands  in 
need  of. 

Mr.  Jefferson  sold  his  wheat  last  :?ear  for  two  dollars  and  a half  per 
bushel.  He  contends  that  in  this  district  it  is  whiter  than  in  the  en- 
virons of  Richmond,  and  all  other  low  countries,  and  that  the  bushel 
which  weighs  there  only  from  fifty-five  to  fifty-eight  pounds,  weighs  on 
his  farm  from  sixty  to  sixty-five. 

In  addition  to  the  eleven  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  divided 
into  four  farms,  Mr.  Jefferson  sows  a few  acres  with  turnips,  succory, 
and  other  seeds. 

Before  1 leave  his  farm,  I shall  not  forget  to  mention  that  I have  seen 
here  a drilling-machine,  the  name  of  which  cannot  be  translated  into 
French  but  by  'machine  d temer  en  paqnetsf  By  Mr.  Jefferson’s  ac- 
count it  has  been  invented  in  his  neighborhood.  If  this  machine  fully 
answers  to  the  good  opinion  which  he  entertains  of  it,  the  invention  is 
the  more  fortunate,  as  by  Arthur  Young’s  assertion  not  one  good  drilling- 
machine  is  to  be  found  in  England.  . . . 

In  private  life,  Mr.  Jefferson  displays  a mild,  easy  and  oblidging 
temper,  though  he  is  somewhat  cold  and  reserved.  His  conversation  is 
of  the  most  agreeable  kind,  and  he  possesses  a stock  of  information  not 
inferior  to  that  of  any  other  man.  In  Europe  he  would  hold  a distin- 
guished rank  among  men  of  letten,  and  as  such  he  has  already  appeared 
there;  at  present  he  is  employed  widi  activity  and  perseverance  in  the 
management  of  his  farms  and  buildings;  and  he  orders,  directs  and  pur- 
sues in  the  minutest  detail  every  branch  of  business  relative  to  them.  I 
found  him  in  the  midst  of  the  harvest,  from  which  the  scorching  heat  of 
the  sun  does  not  prevent  his  attendance.  His  negroes  are  nourished, 
clothed,  and  treated  as  well  as  white  servants  could  be.  As  he  cannot 


1796] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


245 


expect  any  assistance  from  the  two  small  neighboring  towns,  every  article 
is  made  on  his  farm ; his  negroes  are  cabinetmakers,  carpenters,  masons, 
bricklayers,  smiths,  etc.  The  children  he  employs  in  a nail  factory, 
which  yields  already  a considerable  profit.  The  young  and  old  negresses 
spin  for  the  clothing  of  the  rest.  He  animates  them  by  rewards  and 
distinctions;  in  fine,  his  superior  mind  directs  the  management  of  his 
domestic  concerns  with  the  same  abilities,  activity,  and  regularity  which 
he  evinced  in  the  conduct  of  public  affairs,  and  which  he  is  calculated  to 
display  in  every  situation  of  life.  In  the  superintendence  of  his  house- 
hold he  is  assisted  by  his  two  daughters,  Mrs.  Randolph  and  Miss  Maria, 
who  are  handsome,  modest,  and  amiable  women.  They  have  been 
educated  in  France.  . . . 

The  price  of  land  is  from  four  to  five  dollars  per  acre.  . . . Meat — 
that  is,  mutton,  veal,  and  lamb — fetches  fourpence  a pound  ,*  beef  cannot 
be  had  but  in  winter.  The  wages  of  white  workmen,  such  as  masons, 
carpenters,  cabinet-makers,  and  smiths,  amount  to  from  one  and  a half 
dollars  to  two  dollars  a day.  . . . There  are  not  four  stone  masons  in 
the  whole  county  of  Albemarle.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  a:  303-307.) 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Randolph,  and  Marla,  were  away  from 
Montkello  for  a part  of  the  year.  Jefferson  continued  his 
correspondence  with  them,  keeping  them  informed  about  the 
happenings  on  the  mountaintop. 

Jefferson  placed  no  entries  in  the  Garden  Book  during  the 
year.  For  some  reason  the  Garden  Book  was  not  used  again 
until  1802,  the  second  year  of  his  Presidency;  rather  the  Farm 
Book  was  resorted  to  for  jotting  down  the  agricultural  diary. 
Although  the  diary  is  not  so  complete  as  that  for  the  preced- 
ing year,  it  does  give  a good  picture  of  the  agricultural  pursuits. 

He  continued  his  letters  to  his  friends,  on  a wide  variety  of 
subjects.  The  Account  Book  recorded  a few  items  of  interest. 

Diary  for  1796 
(From  the  Farm  Book) 

Jan.  I.  Petit  ploughed  the  Knob  field  ab^  30.  a*.  Franklin’s 
26  a*.  Page  has  ploughed  the  Chapel  ridge  40.  a*. 
Mounts  field  40.  a*. 

Mar.  24.  [illegible]  for  cattle  is  out  at  Mondcello  this  day. 

Apr.  26.  there  has  been  a most  extraordinary,  drought  dirough 
the  whole  spring  to  this  time. 

the  seeds  sown  for  a long  time  past  have  not  sprouted, 
copious  rains  now  fall  for  36.  hours,  gentle  at  first, 
heavy  at  last. 

30.  the  weather  is  become  very  cold,  a great  frost  in  the 
neighborhood. 


246 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1796 


May  I.  the  first  blossom  I see  of  red  clover. 

5.  began  to  cut  clover  to  feed. 

6.  Iris  lays  in  with  a boy  Joyce. 

10.  began  to  sow  peas. 

June  I.  Lucy  lies  in  with  a boy.  Zachary. 

6.  Began  to  cut  clover  for  hay. 

14..  finished  cutting  clover. 

Ned’s  Jenny  lies  in  with  a boy.  James. 
23.  the  White  pea  beginning  to  blossom. 


Diary  of  harvest. 

June  33.  Eastfield 
a<.  Uverfield 

38.  Pog^o  new 

ground 

39.  ( Triangle 
\ Pantops 

30.  Culpeper 
July  1.  Spcuu^ld 

3.  SinitFs 

4.  Highfield 

5.  Slatefield  \ 
Long^eld  / 

7.  Midfield  ab« 


acres 

stacks 

35 

too 

3-6 

40 

65 

8 

40.6 

30 

63 

9 

95- 

4.6 

48 

74 

3» 

73 

55- 

70 

30 

37 

300 

546 

+135-6 

one  oxcart  of  4.  or  6.  oxen 
which  did  little.  3.  carts 
of  3.  mules  each. 

I.  cart  with  4.  horses, 
a waggon  aided  4.  days 
July  3.  we  stopped  our  ploughs; 
the  pickers  up  not  keeping  up 
with  the  cutters,  the.  iS 
mowers  had  been  fixed  on  & 
furnished  with  37.  scythes, 
yet  the  wheat  was  so  heavy 
for  the  most  part  that  we  had  not 
more  than  13.  or  14.  mowers 
cutting  on  an  average.  13.  cutters 
X 13  days  « 156.  which  gives 
near  3._a‘.  a day  for  each  cutter, 
supposing  300.  acres. 


9.  sowed  Buckwheat  at  Monticello. 

Aug.  18.  Scilla  has  a child  born. 

22.  Our  Threshing  machine  begins  to  work  at  the  River- 
field. 

Nov.  23.  on  this  day  a very  severe  spell  of  weather  set  in.  on  the 
23^  it  was  at  the  freezing  point.  24*'*.  at  23*.  23**'. 
at  21®.  26“*.  at  12®.  other  indispensable  work  had 
prevented  the  digging  our  potatoes,  & tho’  the  earth  was 
remarkably  dry  (for  it  had  not  rained  since  the  middle 
of  Octob.)  the  whole  were  lost  by  freezing. 

17.  we  finished  sowing  our  3*.  field  of  wheat  over  the  river 
(Dryfield). 

May  wheat,  the  4^“.  which  should  have  been  in  wheat 
we  thought  better  to  put  into  rye. 

Dec.  10.  we  finish  sowing  our  3^.  field  of  wheat  on  this  side  the 
river  (Ridgefield).  May  wheat,  our  4*\  (Broken- 
field)  which  should  have  been  in  wheat  is  to  be  in  rye. 
concluded  with  George  that  we  will  keep  I2.  breeding 
sows  here. 

children  born  at  Bedford  this  year.  Hanah  (Dinah’s) 
Aug. — a girl  (Suck’s)  a girl  (Abby’s)  Nace  (Maria’s) 
Aug. 


1796] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


247 


ploughing  days  have  been  this  year  as  follows.  Jan.  11. 
Feb.  15.  Mar.  20.  Apr.  25.  May  17.  June  19.  July  23. 
Aug.  24.  Sept.  20.  Oct.  19.  Nov.  24.  Dec.  10  = 238. 
List  of  tools  at  Monticello  & Tufton.  given  by  Hugh 
Petit  Nov.  96.  18.  hoes.  5.  axes.  10.  reaphooks.  6. 

large  ploughs.  8.  small  ploughs.  8.  p'.  chain  traces. 
3.  oxchains.  i.  toothed  harrow. 

’96.  May  10.  in  sowing  with  the  drill  plough  a quart  sowed  350. 

yards  of  furrow,  which  at  4.  feet  rows  would  be  loj 
quarts  to  the  acre,  or  say  peck,  this  was  of  the 
white  boiling  pea  of  Europe,  to  wit  their  field  pea,  or 
split  pea.  sowing  the  same  by  hand,  a quart  sowed 
only  310.  yards  which  is  11.85  quarts  per  acre,  say  3. 
gallons,  the  proportions  are  exactly  as  31:35:  or 
32:36.  or  8:9.  so  that  the  drill  saves  i of  seed,  in 
labor  it  saves  the  whole  hand  sowing,  and  the  cover- 
ing with  a plough,  we  find  a great  advantage  in  pre- 
ceeding  the  drill  by  a harrow.  2 horses  will  harrow 
15.  a*,  a day. 

’96.  Sept.  4.  mf  Eppes  examines  my  North  orchard  and  says  it  con- 
sist of  Clark’s  pear-mains.  Golden  Wilding  & red 
Hughes,  he  says  the  Golden  Wilding  must  not  be 
mellowed  before  pressed ; it  wild  yeild  nothing,  it  must 
be  pressed  as  soon  as  gathered,  mixed  with  the  red 
Hughes  they  make  the  best  cyder  & yeild  best. 

Nov.  1796,  less  than  an  acre  of  pumpkins  have  fed  9 horses  at 
Shadwell  S weeks,  as  well  as  a gallon  & a half  of  corn 
a day  would  have  done,  equal  then  to  35.  days  x 9. 
horses,  x gal*  of  corn  = 12  barrels  of  corn,  be- 
sides this  a great  proportion  of  the  pumpkins  had  rotted, 
an  acre  of  pumpkins  then  is  equivalent  to  5.  acres  of 
corn. 

From  the  Account  Book  x^gd: 

Apr.  23.  gave  Page  to  buy  hemp  seed  3.  D. 

Sept.  5.  agreed  with  Robert  Chuning  to  serve  me  as  overseer  at 
Monticdlo  for  £,  35.  and  600  lb.  pork,  he  is  to  come  Dec.  I. 
Nov.  6,  p*  G.  Divers’s  Will  for  18.  q*‘  of  greensword  seed  @ 22/6. 

Letters  and  Extracts  op  Letters,  1796 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Feb.  29.  96. 

...  I have  received  some  of  the  Albany  peas  from  N.  York  which  I 
am  told  is  the  field  pea  of  Europe.  I have  enough  to  try  a whole  field, 
spring  is  now  opening  on  us.  the  birds  issuing  from  their  state  of  torpor, 
narcissus  putting  up.  . . . (.Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


248 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1796 


(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

[Monticello]  Mar.  2.  96. 

...  I have  been  desirous  of  planting  some  fruit  trees  for  you  that 
they  may  be  growing  during  your  absence.  But  Mr.  Jones’  visits  to  the 
neighborhood  have  been  so  rare  & short  that  I have  not  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  asking  from  him  the  indosure  & allotment  of  the  piece  of 
ground  which  seems  proper  for  it.  The  season  is  now  passing.  Do  not 
fail  to  send  over  the  Apricot-peche.  Bartram  would  receive  & plant  it, 
and  then  furnish  new  plants.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  223.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Giles.) 

Monticello,  Mar.  19,  96. 

. . . We  have  had  a fine  winter.  Wheat  looks  well.  Corn  is  scarce 
and  dear.  22/  here,  30/  in  Amherst.  Our  blossoms  are  but  just  open- 
ing. I have  begun  the  demolition  of  my  house,  and  hope  to  get  through 
its  re-edification  in  the  course  of  the  summer.  But  do  not  let  this  dis- 
courage you  from  calling  on  us  if  you  wander  this  way  in  the  summer. 
We  shall  have  the  eye  of  a brick-kiln  to  poke  you  into,  or  an  Octagon  to 
air  you  in.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  229.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Mar.  19.  96. 

. . . We  have  had  remarkable  winds  for  2 or  3.  days  past,  this  morn- 
ing the  mercury  was  at  26°.  our  peach  blossoms  are  just  opening.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

Monticello  Mar.  ai.  96. 

. . . Mr.  Jones  happened  fortunately  to  come  into  our  neighborhood 
a few  days  after  the  date  of  my  Is^t,  and  ordered  the  proper  ground  to 
be  inclosed  & reserved  for  trees  for  you.  My  gardener  is  this  day  gone 
to  plant  such  as  we  had,  which  will  serve  for  a beginning,  we  shall  en- 
graft more  for  you  this  spring  & plant  them  the  next.  (Ford,  Jefferson 
8:  229-230.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Hawkins.) 

Monticello  Mar.  22.  96. 

. . . The  vines  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me  by  mf  Chiles  were 
delivered  to  me  alive,  every  one  budded  after  it  was  planted,  yet  every 
one  died  immediately  after,  it  was  certainly  not  for  want  of  care, 
yours  is  unquestionably  the  most  valuable  collection  in  America,  and  1 
must  keep  it  in  view,  & I pray  you  to  do  the  same,  to  have  a complete 
assortment  of  them,  by  the  first  opportunity  which  may  occur.  ...  I 
am  now  engaged  in  takmg  down  the  upper  story  of  my  house  and  build- 
ing it  on  the  ground,  so  as  to  spread  all  my  rooms  on  the  one  floor,  we 


1796] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


249 


shall  this  summer  therefore  live  under  the  tent  of  heaven,  the  next 
summer  however  we  shall  be  able  to  tent  you  better,  and  I shall  hope 
you  will  think  our  part  of  the  country  worth  a visit,  if  you  will  make 
it  during  the  month  of  August  & September,  we  have  then  a good  deal 
of  agreeable  society  who  take  refuge  from  the  country  below  during  the 
sickly  season,  among  our  hills,  the  most  fertile  soil,  healthy  and  temperate 
climate  in  America,  the  mercury  was  never  higher  &an  90°.  here, 
and  we  abound  in  figs,  which  mark  to  you  the  limits  of  our  heat  & cold, 
a propos  of  figs,  of  three  very  fine  kinds  I brought  from  France,  one  is 
the  most  delicious  I ever  tasted  in  any  country.  I had  one  plant  last 
year,  but  this  spring  have  set  out  many  cuttings.  I have  ^$0  a grape 
from  Italy,  of  a brick  dust  color,  coming  about  a fortnight  later  than  the 
(sweet  water)  & lasting  till  frost,  the  most  valuable  I ever  knew.  . . . 
send  me  in  a letter  some  seed  of  the  Dionaea  muscipulum  Ad.  {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

[Monticello]  Mar.  27,  96. 

. . . Cold  weather,  mercury  at  26.  in  the  morning.  Corn  fallen  at 
Richmond  to  20/ — stationary  here.  (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  232.) 

(Jefferson  to  C.  F.  C.  de  Volney.) 

Monticello  April  10.  g6. 

. , . My  house  which  had  never  been  more  than  half  finished  had 
during  a war  of  8.  years  and  my  subsequent  absence  of  lo.  years  gone 
into  almost  total  decay.  I am  now  engaged  in  repairing,  altering  & 
finishing  it.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  April  ii.  96. 

...  we  are  in  dreadful  confusion  with  the  demolition  of  our  walls, 
which  is  more  tedious  than  I expected,  the  walls  are  so  solid  that  7 
men  get  down  but  between  3.  & 4000  bricks  a day.  they  would  make 
new  ones  as  fast,  the  tumbling  of  brick  bats  keeps  us  in  constant 
danger,  we  have  as  yet  had  but  one  accident  of  a man  knocked  down. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Phillip  Mazzei.) 

Monticello,  Apr.  24, 1796. 

...  I enclosed  in  two  of  them  [letters]  some  seeds  of  the  squash  as 
you  desired.  Send  me  in  return  some  seeds  of  the  winter  vetch,  I paean 
that  kind  which  is  sewn  in  autumn  & stands  thro  the  cold  of  winter, 
furnishing  a crop  of  green  fodder  in  March.  Put  a few  seeds  in  every 
letter  you  may  write  to  me.  In  England  only  the  spring  vetdi  dan  be 
had.  Fray  fail  not  in  this.  1 have  it  greatly  at  heart.  . . . (Ford, 
Jefferson  8:  237.) 


2S0 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1796 


(William  Strickland  to  Jefferson.) 

London,  May  a8,  1796. 

As  soon  as  it  was  in  my  power  after  my  return  to  England  I set  about 
procuring  the  different  kinds  of  Peas  & Vetches  which  are  cultivated  in 
this  country  & which  I promised  to  send  you ; as  they  were  to  be  obtained 
from  different  & distant  parts  of  the  Kingdom  they  were  not  to  be  col- 
lected together  at  an  earlier  period  than  the  present,  which  indeed  is  as 
early  as  is  requisite,  as  they  could  not  have  been  sown  before  the  next 
season ; a box  marked  T.  J.  Virginia,  forming  nearly  a cube  of  fifteen  or 
sixteen  inches,  containing  those  seeds,  some  others  which  I thought  might 
be  useful  to  you,  and  some  recent  publications,  I put  yesterday  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Alexander  Donald  (Now  residing  at  No.  5 Great  Win- 
chester Street,  Broadstreet)  who  took  the  charge  of  them  & said  he 
would  have  them  conveyed  to  you  by  the  first  eligible  opportunity.  . . . 
(Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence : 64.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Washington.) 

Monticello,  June  19,  1796. 

...  I put  away  this  disgusting  dish  of  old  fragments,  and  talk  to  you 
of  my  peas  and  clover.  As  to  the  latter  article,  1 have  great  encourage- 
ment from  the  friendly  nature  of  our  soil.  I think  I have  had,  both  the 
last  and  present  year,  as  good  clover  from  common  grounds,  which  had 
brought  several  crops  of  wheat  and  corn  without  ever  having  been 
manured,  as  I ever  saw  on  the  lots  around  Philadelphia.  I verily  be- 
lieve that  a yield  of  thirty-four  acres,  sowed  on  wheat  April  was  twelve- 
month,  has  given  me  a ton  to  the  acre  at  its  first  cutting  this  spring. 
The  stalks  extended,  measured  three  and  a half  feet  long  very  com- 
monly. Another  field,  a year  older,  and  which  yielded  as  well  the  last 
year,  has  sensibly  fallen  off  this  year.  My  exhausted  fields  bring  a 
clover  not  high  enough  for  hay,  but  I hope  to  make  seed  from  it.  Such 
as  these,  however,  I shall  hereafter  put  into  peas  in  the  broadcast,  pro- 
posing that  one  of  my  sowings  of  wheat  shall  be  after  two  years  of 
clover,  and  the  other  after  two  years  of  peas.  I am  trying  the  white 
boiling  pea  of  Europe  (the  Albany  pea)  this  year,  till  I can  get  the  hog 
pea  of  England,  which  is  the  most  productive  of  all.  But  the  true 
winter  vetdh  is  what  we  want  extremely.  I have  tried  this  year  the 
Carolina  drill.  It  is  absolutely  perfect.  Nothing  can  be  more  simple, 
nor  perform  its  ofSce  more  perfectly  for  a single  row.  I shall  try  to 
make  one  to  sow  four  rows  at  a time  of  wheat  or  peas,  at  twelve  inches 
distance.  I have  one  of  the  Scotch  threshing  machines  nearly  finished. 
It  is  copied  exactly  from  a model  Mr.  Pinckney  sent  me,  only  that  I 
have  put  the  whole  works  (except  the  horse  wheel)  into  a single  frame, 
moveable  from  one  field  to  another  on  the  two  axles  of  a wagon.  It 
will  be  ready  in  time  for  the  harvest  which  is  coming  on,  which  will 
give  it  a full  trial.  Our  wheat  and  rye  are  generally  fine,  and  the  prices 
talked  of  bid  fair  to  indemnify  us  for  die  poor  crops  of  the  two  last  years. 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  342-343.) 


1796] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


251 


(Jefferson  to  Jonathan  Williams.) 

Monticello,  July  3,  1796. 

1 take  shame  to  myself  for  having  so  long  left  unanswered  your  valu- 
able favor  on  the  subject  of  the  mountains.  But  in  truth,  I am  become 
lazy  as  to  everything  except  agriculture.  The  preparations  for  harvest, 
and  the  length  of  the  harvest  itself,  which  is  not  yet  ffnished,  would  have 
excused  the  delay,  however,  at  all  times  and  under  all  dispositions.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  346.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

Monticello,  July  lo,  1796. 

. . . We  have  had  the  finest  harvest  ever  known  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  Both  the  quantity  and  quality  of  wheat  are  extraordinary. 
We  got  fifteen  shillings  a bushel  for  the  last  crop,  and  hope  two-thirds 
of  that  at  least  for  the  present  one.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jeffer- 
son 9:  349.) 

(Jefferson  to  Francis  Willis.) 

Monticello  July  15.  96. 

...  he  found  me  absorbed  in  my  farming,  for  I am  become  a mon- 
strous farmer,  but  my  hills  are  too  rough  ever  to  please  the  eye.  . . . 

P.  S.  Doctor  Willis  promises  to  send  me  some  of  the  cow-peas,  a 
great  desideratum  in  my  [illegible]  of  farming,  I will  solicit  your  at- 
tention as  well  as  his  to  it.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Philip  Tabb  to  Jefferson.) 

Toddsbury  30***  Aug*.  1796. 

I received  your  favor  of  the  6*\  Inst,  by  post  & begg  leave  to  assure 
you  that  I shall  have  pleasure  in  giving  every  proof  in  my  power  of  a 
disposition  to  comply  with  M^  Jefferson’s  request.  I have  for  several 
years  cultivated  the  pea  you  mention  (the  most  general  & perhaps  proper 
name  of  which  is  the  Cow  Pea.)  I am  induced  to  think  the  growth  of 
this  grain  peculiarly  calculated  for  the  reduced  Corn  Lands  of  our  lower 
Country,  the  soil  of  which  has  a great  proportion  of  sand,  it  is  planted 
among  the  com  at  the  distance  of  ab*.  6 or  8 feet  frequently  in  the  same 
hill ; & ’tho  put  in  early  as  May  or  !■*.  of  June  grows  but  slowly  until 
the  corn  begins  to  decline  then  rapidly.  I think  some  fields  near  me  has 
been  much  improved  by  this  pea  & is  of  considerable  value  by  fatting 
different  kinds  of  Stock  both  before  & after  the  Corn  crop  is  gathered, 
for  rain  does  not  spoil  it  in  the  pod  when  ripe  as  other  Indian  peas  gen- 
erally. I doubt  whether  this  pea  would  grow  as  kindly  in  M'.  Jeffer- 
son’s Lands  as  it  does  here.  I think  his  has  a redish  soil  & free  from 
Sand  but  should  he  be  disposed  to  make  the  experiment,  I will  endeavour 
to  send  a Bushell  of  Seed  to  any  person  he  may  think  proper  to  appoint 
at  Richmond  k will  then  give  any  farther  information  in  my  power  that 
may  be  wanted.  . . , (Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 


2S1 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1796 


(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello,  Nov.  28)  ’96* 

It  is  80  cold  that  the  freezing  of  the  ink  on  the  point  of  my  pen 
renders  it  difficult  to  write.  We  have  had  the  thermometer  at  12°. 
My  works  are  arrested  in  a state  entirely  unfinished,  & I fear  we  shall 
not  be  able  to  resume  them.  Clark  has  sold  our  wheat  in  Bedford  for 
8/6  and  the  rise  to  the  1“  of  June,  with  some  other  modifications.  It 
appears  to  be  a good  sale.  He  preferred  it  to  10/6  certain,  which  was 
offered  him.  I think  he  was  right  as  there  is  little  appearance  of  any 
intermission  of  the  war.  . . . My  new  threshing  machine  will  be  tried 
this  week.  {Jefferson  Papers j M.  H.  C.  i : 5S~S6.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  December  17,  1796. 

. . . We  have  had  the  severest  weather  ever  known  in  November. 
The  thermometer  was  at  twelve  degrees  here  and  in  Goochland,  and  I 
suppose  generally.  It  arrested  my  buildings  very  suddenly,  when  eight 
da^  more  would  have  completed  my  walls,  and  permitted  us  to  cover  in. 
The  drought  is  excessive.  From  the  middle  of  October  to  the  middle 
of  December,  not  rain  enough  to  lay  the  dust.  A few  days  ago  there 
fell  a small  rain,  but  the  succeeding  cold  has  probably  prevented  it  from 
sprouting  the  grain  sown  during  the  drought.  . , . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  3S2.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edward  Rutledge.) 

Monticello,  December  27,  1796. 

> • . The  newspapers  will  permit  me  to  plant  my  corn,  peas,  etc.,  in 
hills  or  drills  as  I please  (and  my  oranges,  by-the-by,  when  you  send 
them).  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  354.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edward  Rutledge.) 

Monticello  Dec.  27.  1796. 

...  I wish  to  obtain  about  20  [illegible]  a red  field  pea  commonly 
cultivated  with  you,  and  a prindpid  article  for  the  subsistence  of  your 
farms,  which  we  have  not  yet  introduced.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


1797 

^797  * Jefferson  set  out  on  February  20  for  Philadelphia 
to  assume  the  office  of  Vice  President.  A winter  journey  from 
Monticello  to  Philadelphia  was  a tremendous  undertaking, 
and  although  he  probably  could  have  been  sworn  into  office  at 
home,  he  decided  to  make  the  trip  as  “a  mark  of  respect  to 
the  public.”  He  arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  March  2,  and  on 
March  4 he  presided  at  the  opening  session  of  the  Senate.  He 
left  Philadelphia  on  March  13,  arriving  at  Monticello  on  the 
20th.  On  March  10  he  ‘‘p*  seeing  elephant  .5,”  and  on 
the  day  he  left  Philadelphia,  *‘p*  seeing  elks  .75.”  He  was 
at  home  from  March  ao  to  May  5,  when  he  left  again  for 
Philadelphia.  On  July  1 1 he  was  back  at  Monticello  and  did 
not  return  to  Philadelphia  until  December  4. 

The  happiest  event  of  the  year  occurred  on  October  13, 
when  his  daughter,  Maria,  married  her  cousin,  John  Wayles 
Eppes,  of  Eppington,  In  a letter  to  Mrs.  Randolph  on  June 
8,  who  had  written  him  about  the  approaching  marriage,  he 
wrote ; 

I received  with  inexpressible  pleasure  the  information  your  letter  con- 
tained. After  your  happy  establishment,  which  has  given  me  an  inesti- 
mable friend,  to  whom  I can  leave  the  care  of  everything  I love,  the  only 
anxiety  I had  remaining  was,  to  see  Maria  also  so  associated  as  to  ensure 
her  happiness.  She  could  not  have  been  more  so  to  my  wishes,  if  1 had 
had  the  whole  earth  free  to  have  chosen  a partner  for  her.  (Randall, 
Jefferson  a:  358.) 

Although  activities  of  all  kinds  went  on  at  Monticello  dur- 
ing the  year,  and  although  many  of  them  were  recorded  in  the 
Account  Book,  Jefferson  failed  to  enter  any  item  in  the  Garden 
Book.  Letters,  the  Account  Book,  and  a few  entries  in  the 
Farm  Book,  are  the  only  sources  of  information  about  Jef- 
ferson’s agricultural  interests.  Nails  were  manufactured  in 
abundance.  The  house  was  unroofed  toward  the  end  of  the 
year  preparatory  to  remodeling.  He  wrote  to  James  Madi- 
son on  August  3,  inviting  him  and  Mrs.  Madison  to  come  for 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book, 

*53 


254  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i797 

a visit  “before  we  uncover  our  house,  which  will  yet  be  some 
weeks.” 

As  in  the  preceding  year,  his  family  spent  part  of  their  time 
with  him  at  Monticdlo,  In  the  intervening  periods  the  Ran- 
dolphs were  at  their  home,  and  after  Maria’s  marriage  she 
and  Mr.  Eppes  were  at  Eppington. 

A singular  honor  was  bestowed  on  Jefferson  on  January  6 
of  this  year.  He  was  elected  President  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society,  an  office  he  was  to  hold  until  January 
6,  1815. 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1797 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

[Monticello]  Jan.  8 97. 

...  we  apprehend  our  wheat  is  almost  entirely  killed;  and  many 
people  are  expecting  to  put  something  else  in  the  ground.  I have  so 
little  expectations  from  mine,  that  as  much  as  I am  an  enemy  to  tobacco, 
I shall  endeavor  to  make  some  for  taxes  and  clothes.  In  the  morning  of 
the  33d  of  Dec.  my  thermometer  was  5®  below  0,  & on  the  34th  it  was 
at  0.  The  last  day  of  Dec.  we  had  snow  I.  deep  & the  4th  of  this 
month  one  of  3.  I.  deep  which  is  still  on  the  ground.  . . . (Ford,  Jef- 
ferson 8:  368-369.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  January  30,  1797. 

. . . We  have  now  fine  mild  weather  here.  The  thermometer  is 
above  the  point  which  renders  fires  necessary.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  376.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Mar.  11.  97. 

Yours  has  been  duly  received  and  the  clover  seed  goes  tomorrow  in 
the  schooner  Industry,  capt.  Green  bound  for  Richmond,  it  is  addressed 
to  Cha*.  Johnston,  and  is  in  3.  casks  containing  S'}  bushels  each,  of  which 
4.  bushels  are  for  yourself  k the  rest  for  me.  it  will  be  desirable  to  have 
it  forwarded  immediately,  & of  preference  by  waggon.  I shall  be  at 
home  the  19“,  or  30“.  & consequently  in  time  to  receive  it.  . , . {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  Huntington  Library.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monticello  Mar.  23.  1797. 

I arrived  at  home  on  the  30^'‘  inst  and  found  the  cherry  & peach  trees 
in  general  blossom,  they  had  begun  about  a week  before  that,  this  day 


1797] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


255 

our  first  dish  of  asparagus  k spinach  came  to  table,  this  may  enable  you 
to  compare  climates.  . . . 

P.  S.  I find  on  further  enquiry  that  the  first  cherry  and  peach  blos- 
soms here  appeared  on  the  19*"  inst  I passed  Fredericksburg  on  the 
18*"  & the  buds  were  not  swelled.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Monticello,  March  27*’',  ’97. 

...  I arrived  in  good  health  at  home  this  day  sennight.  The  moun- 
tain had  then  been  in  bloom  ten  days.  I find  that  the  natural  produc- 
tions of  the  spring  are  about  a fortnight  earlier  here  than  at  Fredericks- 
burg ; but  where  art  and  attention  can  do  anything,  some  one  in  a large 
collection  of  inhabitants,  as  in  a town,  will  be  before  ordinary  individ- 
uals, whether  of  town  or  country.  . . . The  bloom  of  Monticello  is 
chilled  by  my  solitude.  It  makes  me  wish  the  more  that  yourself  and 
sister  were  here  to  enjoy  it.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  2:  338.) 

(Jefferson  to  Peregrine  Fitzhugh.) 

Monticello,  April  9,  1797. 

...  A nephew  of  mine,  Mr.  S.,  who  married  a daughter  of  Mr.  Carr, 
near  Georgetown,  setting  out  this  day  for  that  place,  I have  sent  him 
some  of  the  peas  you  desired,  which  he  will  enclose  under  cover  to  you, 
and  lodge  in  the  care  of  Mr.  Thompson  Mason.  This  letter  goes  sepa- 
rately by  post,  to  notify  you  that  you  may  call  for  them  in  time  for  the 
present  season.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  9:  379.) 

(Jefferson  to  C.  F.  C,  de  Volney.) 

Monticello  Apr.  9.  1797. 

...  I have  been  in  the  enjoyment  of  our  delicious  spring,  the  soft 
general  temperature  of  the  season,  just  above  the  want  of  fire,  enlivened 
by  the  reanimation  of  birds,  flowers,  the  fields,  forests  & gardens,  has  been 
truly  delightful  k continues  to  be  so.  my  peach  & cherry  trees  blos- 
somed on  the  9**^  of  March  which  was  the  day  I had  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  you  on  the  street  of  Philadelphia,  as  I returned  from  your  lodg- 
ing. I passed  Fredericksburg  on  the  18*'’  of  Mar.  when  not  a blossom 
was  opening.  I think  we  are  a fortnight  forwarder  than  Fredericks- 
burg, and  the  fine  temperate  weather  of  spring  continues  here  about  two 
months,  indeed  my  experience  of  the  different  parts  of  America  con- 
vinces me  that  these  mountains  are  the  Eden  of  the  U.  S.  for  soil,  climate, 
navigation  k health.  . . . Today  my  workmen  assemble  k tomorrow 
begin  their  work,  but  they  must  suspend  their  work  during  my  absence. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers.  L.  C.) 

(Edward  Rutledge  to  Jefferson.) 

Charleston  May  19,  1797- 

Two  days  ago,  I shipt  you  Peas,  & orange  trees  on  board  a vessel  for 
Norfolk,  and  wrote  by  her  to  your  merchant  in  Richmond.  . . . The 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


156 


[1797 


trees  are  small,  & are  packed  in  [moss]  with  a quantity  of  earth  around 
them.  . . . The  Pea  is  usually  planted  between  the  Corn,  but  in  the 
same  row  with  it.  It  is  not  planted  until  the  corn  is  at  least  two  feet 
high.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Giroud.) 

Philadelphia,  May  22,  1797. 

I received  at  this  place,  from  Mr.  Bache,  the  letter  of  aoth  Germinal, 
with  the  seeds  of  the  bread-tree  which  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send 
me.  I am  happy  that  the  casual  circumstances  respecting  Oglethorpe's 
affairs,  has  led  to  this  valuable  present,  and  I shall  take  immediate 
measures  to  improve  the  opportunity  it  gives  us  of  introducing  so 
precious  a plant  into  our  Southern  States.  The  successive  supplies  of 
the  same  seeds  which  you  are  kind  enough  to  give  me  expectations  of  re- 
ceiving from  you,  will,  in  like  manner,  be  thankfully  received,  and  dis- 
tributed to  those  persons  and  places  most  likely  to  render  the  experi- 
ment successful.  One  service  of  this  kind  rendered  to  a nation,  is  worth 
more  to  them  than  all  the  victories  of  the  most  splendid  pages  of  their 
history,  and  becomes  a source  of  exalted  pleasure  to  those  who  have  been 
instrumental  to  it.  May  that  pleasure  be  yours,  and  your  name  be  pro- 
nounced with  gratitude  by  those  who  will  at  some  future  time  be  tasting 
the  sweets  of  the  blessings  you  are  now  procuring  them.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  g:  387-388.) 

(Jefferson  to  Peregrine  Fitzhugh.) 

Philadelphia,  June  4,  1797. 

I am  favored  with  yours  of  May  19,  & thank  you  for  your  intentions 
as  to  the  corn  & the  large  white  clover  which  if  forwarded  to  mr, 
Archibald  Stuart  at  Staunton  will  find  daily  means  of  conveyance  from 
thence  to  me.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  298.) 


(Jefferson  to  Edward  Kutiedge.) 

Philadelphia,  June  24,  1797. 

I have  to  acknowledge  your  two  favors  of  May  the  4th  and  19th,  and 
to  thank  you  for  your  attentions  to  the  commissions  for  the  peas  and 
oranges,  which  I learn  have  arrived  in  Virginia.  Your  draft  1 hope 
will  soon  follow  on  Mr.  John  Barnes,  merchant,  here ; who,  as  1 before 
advised  you,  is  directed  to  answer  it  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson 9;  408.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  July  24,  97. 

...  I am  anxious  to  see  you  here  soon,  because  in  about  three  weeks 
we  shall  begin  to  unroof  our  house,  when  the  family  will  be  obliged  to 
go  elsewhere  for  shelter.  . • . (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  321.) 


1797] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


257 


(Allen  Jones  to  Jefferson.) 

Mount  Gallent  Aug.  20th  1797. 

By  Mr.  Macon  I was  honoured  with  your  favor  of  May  33rd  Phila. 
also  a tin  box  containing  the  seeds  of  the  bread  tree  mentioned  in  your 
letter,  only  that  there  were  four  instead  of  two  Seeds.  Accept  my 
sincere  thanks  for  this  communication  &.  be  assured  no  attention  shall 
be  wanting  on  my  part  to  render  your  benevolent  intentions  successful. 
If  they  could  be  raised  for  two  or  three  years  in  a greenhouse  and  then 
in  the  spring  of  the  year  turned  into  the  full  ground,  I should  make  no 
doubts  raising  them,  but  I have  no  greenhouse  and  must  therefore  do  the 
best  I can  without  one.  Whatever  may  be  the  issue,  I am  bound  to 
acquaint  you  with  the  progress  of  this  experiment  to  add  this  valuable 
plant  to  the  list  of  our  cultivated  vegetables.  ...  I have  frequently 
asked  the  gentlemen  from  your  State  whether  the  Teffe  or  Ensette  had 
been  raised,  or  any  attempt  made  to  do  it  at  Monticello?  The  answer 
has  always  been  in  the  negative.  This  has  surprised  me  as  I knew  you 
had  correspondents  both  in  France  & England  where  I suppose  these 
plants  have  been  raised,  as  Mr.  Bruce  gave  liberally  of  the  seeds  to  both 
Kingdoms.  Perhaps  the  Teffe  is  the  most  valuable  acquisition  that  could 
be  made  for  the  lower  parts  of  Virginia  and  the  Southern  States  but  as 
...  & reaped  like  other  small  grain,  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  it  would 
grow  any  where  in  the  Southern  States  and  as  the  seed  is  probably  a 
capsule  I should  hope  it  would  escape  the  Weavil  which  renders  the  rais- 
ing wheat  so  precarious.  As  to  the  Ensette  I have  not  the  same  hopes, 
but  think  it  might  be  cultivated  probably  as  we  do  the  Tannier,  which  I 
suppose  the  same  plant  that  Capt.  Cook  found  in  the  Islands  of  the  South 
Sea,  & called  by  the  natives  Taro.  ...  it  grows  here  in  great  vigour 
and  is  a valuable  addition  to  our  esculents.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Mis- 
souri Historical  Society.) 

(Jefferson  to  W.  H.  Van  Hasselt.) 

Monticello  in  Virginia  Aug.  27.  97. 

. . . My  fortune  is  entirely  agricultural,  consisting  in  farms  which 
are  under  the  management  of  persons  who  have  been  long  in  my  employ, 
have  behaved  well,  & are  therefore  entitled  to  be  continued  as  long  as  I 
continue  to  occupy  my  farms  myself,  but  in  fact  I mean  shortly  to 
tenant  them  out,  in  order  to  relieve  myself  from  the  attention  they  re- 
quire-— my  family  consists  of  only  two  daughters,  the  one  married  & just 
beginning  an  infant  family,  the  other  marriageable ; and  consequently  the 
business  of  education  is  past. — the  office  to  which  I have  been  called  takes 
me  from  home  all  the  winter  during  which  time  my  daughters  also  go 
into  the  lower  country  to  pass  their  winter,  so  that  our  house  is  shut  up 
one  half  the  year.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  F.  Mercer.) 

Monticello  Sept.  5.  1797* 

I received  safely  your  favor  of  Aug.  9,  with  the  two  packets  of  Smyrna 
& Sicilian  wheat,  the  latter  I shall  vdue  as  well  because  it  lengffiens 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


258 


[1797 


our  fall  sowing,  as  because  it  may  be  sown  in  the  spring,  and  in  a soil 
that  does  not  suit  oats  (as  is  the  case  of  ours)  we  want  a good  spring 
grain,  the  May  wheat  has  been  sufficiently  tried  to  prove  that  it  will 
not  answer  for  general  culture  in  this  part  of  the  country,  in  the  lower 
country  it  does  better.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers j L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monticello,  Oct.  8,  ’97. 

We  have  heard  much  here  of  an  improvement  made  in  the  Scotch 
threshing  machine  by  Mr.  Martin,  and  that  you  have  seen  k approved  it. 
Being  myself  well  acquainted  with  the  original  geered  machine  & Book- 
er’s substitution  of  vihirls  & bands  (as  I have  one  of  each  kind),  it  will 
perhaps  give  you  but  a little  trouble  to  give  me  so  much  of  an  explanation 
as  will  be  necessary  to  make  me  understand  Martin’s,  and  let  it  apply,  if 
you  please,  to  the  movements  by  horses  or  by  hand.  I must  ask  the 
favor  of  you  to  get  me  one  of  the  same  drills  you  sent  me  before,  made 
in  the  best  manner,  with  a compleat  set  of  bands  & buckets,  and  packed 
in  a box,  in  pieces,  in  the  most  compact  manner  the  workman  can  do  it, 
k forwarded  to  me  at  Philadelphia  as  soon  after  the  meeting  of  Congress 
as  possible.  It  is  for  a friend,  & to  go  still  further,  which  renders  this 
mode  of  packing  necessary.  For  the  amount  when  you  will  make  it 
known,  I will  either  inclose  you  a bank  bill  from  Philadelphia,  or  send  it 
you  in  fine  tea  or  anything  else  you  please  to  order.  How  did  your 
turnep  seed  answer?  I have  received  from  England,  k also,  from  Italy 
some  seed  of  the  winter  vetch,  a plant  from  which  I expect  a good  deal. 
If  it  answers  I will  send  you  of  the  seed.  I have  also  received  all  the 
good  kinds  of  field  pea  from  England,  but  I count  a great  deal  more  on 
our  southern  cow-pea.  If  you  wish  any  of  them,  I will  send  you  a 
part.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  i:  58.) 

(Jefierson  to  Martha  (JeSerson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  December  27th,  ’97. 

. . . Tell  Mr.  Randolph  I shall  be  glad  from  time  to  time  to  ex- 
change meteorological  diaries  with  him;  that  we  may  have  a compara- 
tive view  of  the  dimates  of  this  place  and  ours.  . . . (Randall,  Jeffer- 
son a:  379.) 


1798 

xyg8*  JeflFerson  was  in  Philadelphia  when  the  year  opened, 
having  reached  there  on  December  12.  He  was  concerned 
with  political  afiairs,  chiefly  the  furious  attacks  coming  from 
many  sides.  On  this  subject  he  wrote  to  Peregrine  Fitzhugh 
on  February  23 : 

I have  been  for  sometime  used  as  the  property  of  the  newspapers,  a 
fair  mark  for  every  man’s  dirt.  Some,  too,  have  indulged  themselves  in 
this  exercise  who  would  not  have  done  it,  had  they  known  me  otherwise 
than  through  these  impure  and  injurious  channels.  It  is  hard  treatment, 
and  for  a singular  kind  of  offence,  that  of  having  obtained  by  the  labors 
of  a life  the  indulgent  opinions  of  a part  of  on&'s  fellow-citizens.  How- 
ever, these  moral  evils  must  be  submitted  to,  like  the  physical  scourges 
of  tempest,  Are,  etc.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  10:  1—2.) 

He  made  only  one  trip  to  Monticello  during  the  year.  His 
stay,  however,  was  a relatively  long  one,  lasting  from  July  4 to 
December  18.  On  his  return  trip  he  reached  Philadelphia  on 
Christmas  Day. 

Although  politics  completely  occupied  his  attention,  Monti- 
cello was  still  uppermost  in  his  thoughts.  He  wrote  more  in- 
teresting and  lonely  letters  to  his  daughters.  The  job  of  roof- 
ing the  house  was  still  to  be  finished,  and  of  that  repair  he 
wrote  Mr.  Randolph  as  late  as  May  3 : “I  am  in  hopes  from 
Davenport’s  account  that  1 shall  find  the  house  nearly  covered, 
and  that  we  shall  not  be  long  without  a shelter  to  unite  under. 
*Ohl  Welcome  hour  whenever  1’  ” {Jeferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

In  March  and  April  George  Jefferson,  his  agent  in  Rich- 
mond, Virginia,  sent  plants  and  seeds  for  Jefferson  to  Monti- 
cello to  be  planted.  The  record  shows  ^at  Mr.  Randolph 
planted  them  on  April  24.  The  plants  had  been  forwarded 
to  Richmond  from  Philadelphia  by  Jefferson.  (See  list  of 
plants  in  a letter,  Jefferson  to  Randolph,  March  22,  1798.) 

Because  of  the  high  price  tobacco  was  bringing  this  year, 
Jefferson  abandoned  his  previous  system  of  rotation  of  crops 
At  Monticello,  a system  in  which  he  had  great  hopes,  and  began 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

259 


26o  « Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1798 

again  growing  tobacco.  He  wrote  to  John  Taylor  on  No- 
vember 26; 

We  formerly  had  a debtor  and  creditor  account  of  letters  on  farm- 
ing; but  the  high  price  of  tobacco,  which  is  likely  to  continue  for  some 
short  time,  has  tempted  me  to  go  entirely  into  that  culture,  and  in  the 
meantime,  my  farming  schemes  are  in  abeyance,  and  my  farming  fields 
at  nurse  against  the  time  of  my  resuming  them  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh, 
Jefferson  10:  63). 

In  spite  of  the  long  visit  to  Monticello  during  the  summer 
and  fall,  there  are  no  entries  in  the  Garden  Book,  and  none  in 
the  Farm  Book,  dated  this  year,  relative  to  gardening  and 
farming.  The  Account  Book  registers  only  a few  items.  So 
again  the  correspondence  gives  us  the  only  clue  as  to  what  was 
happening  agriculturally  at  Monticello. 

Letters  and  Extracts  op  Letters,  1798 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  Feb.  8th,  ’g8. 

...  I am  much  concerned  to  hear  the  state  of  health  of  Mr.  Ran- 
dolph and  the  family,  mentioned  in  your  letters  of  Jan.  aad  and  aSdi. 
Surely,  my  dear,  it  would  be  better  for  you  to  remove  to  Monticello. 
The  south  pavillion,  the  parlor,  and  study,  will  accomodate  your  family; 
and  I should  think  Mr.  Randolph  would  find  less  inconvenience  in  the 
riding  it  would  occasion  him,  than  in  the  loss  of  his  own  and  his  family’s 
health.  Let  me  beseech  you,  then,  to  go  there,  and  to  use  everything  and 
everybody  as  if  I were  there.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  a : 405.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Feb.  15.  98. 

...  I write  to  Davenport  by  this  post  to  inform  me  what  he  has 
done  & is  doing.  I expect  that  according  to  promise  he  has  kept  a strong 
force  sawing  sheeting  plank,  & getting  & preparing  shingles  & that  with 
the  first  open  weather  of  the  spring  he  would  begin  to  cover  the  house, 
so  that  I may  find  that  compleat  on  my  return,  & begin  immediately  to 
floor.  ...  It  will  immediately  be  time  for  John  to  be  doing  something 
in  the  garden,  on  this  head  Martha  can  question  him  from  my  little 
Calendar  of  which  she  has  a copy.  . . . {Jefferson  Facers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia  Mar,  8.  98. 

[On  March  8 Jefferson  sent  Mr.  Randolph,  from  Philadelphia,  four 
bushels  of  dover  seeds  and  also]  a box  just  received  .from  mf  Strickland, 


1798]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  261 

containing  a bag  of  true  winter  vetch  & some  hop-trefoil,  the  vetch  is 
not  to  be  sowed  until  autumn,  the  hop-tre-foil  immediately.  {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  Mar.  22,  1798. 

...  I have  just  had  put  on  board  the  sloop  Sally,  capt  Potter  for 
Richmond,  a harpsichord  for  Maria,  and  a box  of  plants,  which  I shall 
desire  mr.  [George]  Jefferson  to  forward  up  the  river  without  delay. 
The  plants  are  distinguished  by  numbers  as  follows: 

1.  Rhododendron  maximum,  3 plants  to  be  planted  in  the  Nursery. 

2.  Scotch  pines  3 plants. 

3.  Norway  firs  2 do. 

4.  Balm  of  Gilead  2 do. 

6.  Dwarf  Ewe  3 do.  to  be  planted  among  the  Kentuckey  Coffee 
trees  in  an  open  space  between  the  Pride  of  China  trees  & the 
grove,  about  S.  W.  & by  W.  from  the  house.  They  may  be 
planted  within  20  feet  of  one  another,  therefore  I suppose  there 
will  be  space  enough  in  the  place  I describe  to  receive  them  all, 
without  disturbing  the  Coffee  trees. 

5.  Jumper.  3 plants,  to  be  planted  on  ^he  upper  Roundabout  be- 
tween or  in  continuation  of  the  Arbor-vitaes  & Cedars. 

7.  Aesculus  yirginica.  yellow  Horse  Chestnut  i.  plant  on  the 
Slope  leading  from  the  Pride  of  China  trees  down  to  the  Shops, 
among  the  Catalpas,  Crab  apple  trees  & wherever  there  are  vacant 
spaces. 

8.  . . . hybrids  variegated.  ...  I.  do. 

9.  . . . Pavia  1.  . . . do. 

10.  . . . Alba  white  1.  . . . do. 

11.  Sugar  maple  2.  plants. 

12.  Balsam  poplar.  3.  do. 

13.  Viburnum  opulifolium,  bush  cranberry.  3.  plants,  in  the  cur- 
ran  or  gooseberry  squares. 

14.  Alpine  strawberries?  in  new  & separate  beds  in  the  garden. 

15.  Chili  strawberries  j both  of  these  kinds  are  immensely  valuable. 

16.  Antwarp  raspberry,  twenty  odd  plants  I expect,  in  some  new 
row  by  themselves.  It  has  the  reputation  of  being  among  the 
finest  fruits  in  the  world. 

Peruvian  winter  grass.  Many  roots  of  this  are  packed  in  among 
the  plants,  it  is  a most  valuable  grass  for  winter  grazing.  John 
had  better  take  some  favorable  place  under  trees  to  set  it  out. 
the  cherry  trees  in  the  garden  would  be  good  places,  if  there  is 
not  danger  of  too  much  trampling.  Many  nuts  of  the  yellow 
and  scarlet  Horse  chestnuts  are  stuck  in  among  the  moss.  John 
must  set  them  out  in  the  nursery  instantly,  & before  they  dry. 

I must  ask  the  favor  of  you,  the  moment  these  things  arrive  at  Milton, 
to  send  to  James  to  go  for  them  with  his  waggon,  & to  take  a ride  to 


262 


Jefpbrson's  Gaboen  Book 


[1798 


Monticello,  as  soon  as  they  get  there,  & direct  John  where  to  plant 
them,  he  would  do  well  perhaps  to  dig  his  holes  beforehand,  to  mellow 
the  earth,  all  the  trees  to  be  well  staked,  the  numbers  preserved.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.)  (Printed  in  William  and  Mary  College 
Quarterly,  n.s.  6:  334-335,  1926.) 

(Jefferson  to  [address  lost].*) 

Philadelphia,  March  23,  1798. 

I have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  August  i6th  and 
1 8th,  together  with  the  box  of  seed  accompanying  the  former,  which  has 
just  come  to  hand.  The  letter  of  the  4th  of  June,  which  you  mention 
to  have  committed  to  Mr.  King,  has  never  been  received.  It  has  most 
likely  been  intercepted  on  the  sea,  now  become  a field  of  lawless  and 
indiscriminate  rapine  and  violence.,  The  first  box  which  came  through 
Mr.  Donald,  arrived  safely  the  last  year,  but  being  a little  too  late  for 
that  season,  its  contents  have  been  divided  between  Mr.  Randolph  and 
myself,  and  will  be  committed  to  the  earth  now  immediately.  The  peas 
and  the  vetch  are  most  acceptable  indeed.  Since  you  were  here,  I have 
tried  that  species  of  your  field  pea  which  is  cultivated  in  New  York,  and 
begin  to  fear  that  that  plant  will  scarcely  bear  our  sun  and  soil.  A late 
acquisition  too  of  a species  of  our  country  pea,  called  the  cow  pea,  has 
pretty  well  supplied  the  place  in  my  husbandry  which  I had  destined  for 
the  European  field  pea.  It  is  very  productive,  excellent  food  for  man 
and  beast,  awaits  without  loss  our  leisure  for  gathering,  and  shades  the 
ground  very  closely  through  the  hottest  months  of  the  year.  This  with 
the  loosening  of  the  soil,  I take  to  be  the  chief  means  by  which  the  pea 
improves  the  soil.  We  know  that  the  sun  in  our  cloudless  climate  is  the 
most  powerful  destroyer  of  fertility  in  naked  ground,  and  therefore  that 
the  perpetual  fallows  will  not  do  here,  which  are  so  beneficial  in  a cloudy 
climate.  Still  I shall  with  care  try  all  the  several  kinds  of  pea  you  have 
been  so  good  as  to  send  me,  and  having  tried  all  hold  fast  that  which  is 
good.  Mr.  Randolph  is  peculiarly  happy  in  having  the  barleys  com- 
mitted to  him,  as  he  had  been  desirous  of  going  considerably  into  that 
culture.  I was  able  at  the  same  time  to  put  into  his  hands  Siberian 
barley,  sent  me  from  France.  I look  forward  with  considerable  anxiety 
to  the  success  of  the  winter  vetch,  for  it  gives  us  a good  winter  crop,  and 
helps  the  succeeding  summer  one.  It  is  something  like  doubling  the 
produce  of  the  field.  I know  it  does  well  in  Italy,  and  therefore  have 
the  more  hope  here.  My  experience  leaves  me  no  fear  as  to  the  success 
of  clover.  I have  never  seen  finer  than  in  some  of  my  fields  which  have 
never  been  manured.  My  rotation  is  triennial;  to  wit,  one  year  of 
wheat  and  two  of  clover  in  the  stronger  fields,  or  two  of  peas  in  the 
weaker,  with  a crop  of  Indian  com  and  potatoes  between  every  other 
rotation,  that  is  to  say  once  in  seven  years.  Under  this  easy  course  of 
culture,  aided  with  some  manure,  I hope  my  fields  vyill  recover  their 

* From  the  above  letter  of  Jefferson  to  Randolph,  March  8,  the  fol- 
lowing letter  was  written  to  Mr.  William  Strickland. 


1798] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


263 

pristine  fertility,  which  had  in  some  of  them  been  completely  exhausted 
by  perpetual  crops  of  Indian  corn  and  wheat  alternately.  The  atmos* 
phere  is  certainly  the  great  workshop  of  nature  for  elaborating  the 
fertilizing  principles  and  insinuating  them  into  the  soil.  It  has  been 
relied  on  as  the  sole  means  of  regenerating  our  soil  by  most  of  the  land- 
holders in  the  canton  I inhabit,  and  where  rest  has  been  resorted  to  be- 
fore a total  exhaustion,  the  soil  has  never  failed  to  recover.  If,  indeed, 
it  be  so  run  down  as  to  be  incapable  of  throwing  weeds  or  herbage  of 

kind,  to  shade  the  soil  from  the  sun,  it  either  goes  off  in  gullies,  and 
is  entirely  lost,  or  remains  exhausted  till  a growth  springs  up  of  such 
trees  as  will  rise  in  the  poorest  soils.  Under  the  shade  of  these  and  the 
cover  soon  formed  of  their  deciduous  leaves,  and  a commencing  herbage, 
such  fields  sometimes  recover  in  a long  course  of  years ; but  this  is  too 
long  to  be  taken  into  a course  of  husbind^.  Not  so,  however,  is  the 
term  within  which  the  atmosphere  alone  will  reintegrate  a soil  rested  in 
due  season.  A year  of  wheat  will  be  balanced  by  one,  two,  or  three 
years  of  rest  and  atmospheric  influence,  according  to  the  quality  of  the 
soil.  It  has  been  said  that  no  rotation  of  crops  will  keep  the  earth  in 
the  same  degree  of  fertility  without  the  aid  of  manure.  But  it  is  wdil 
known  here  that  a space  of  rest  greater  or  less  in  spontaneous  herbage, 
will  restore  the  exhaustion  of  a single  crop.  This  then  is  a rotation; 
and  as  it  is  not  to  be  believed  that  spontaneous  herbage  is  the  only  or 
best  covering  during  rest,  so  may  we  expect  that  a substitute  for  it  may 
be  found  which  will  yield  prontable  crops.  Such  perhaps  are  clover, 
peas,  vetches,  etc.  A rotation  then  may  be  found,  which  by  giving  time 
for  the  slow  influence  of  the  atmosphere,  will  keep  the  soil  in  a constant 
and  equal  state  of  fertility.  But  ^e  advantage  of  manuring,  is  that  it 
will  do  more  in  one  than  the  atmosphere  would  require  several  years  to 
do,  and  consequently  enables  you  so  much  the  oftener  to  take  exhausting 
crops  from  the  soil,  a circumstance  of  importance  where  there  is  more 
labor  than  land.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  10:  11-14.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Patterson.) 

Philadelphia,  March  27,  1798. 

In  the  lifetime  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  I communicated  to  him  the  de- 
scription of  a mouldboard  of  a plough  which  I had  constructed,  and  sup- 
pose to  be  what  we  might  term  the  mould-board  of  least  resbtance,  I 
asked  not  only  his  opinion,  but  that  he  would  submit  it  to  you  also. 
After  he  had  considered  it,  he  gave  me  his  own  opinion  that  it  was  demon- 
strably what  I had  supposed,  and  I think  he  said  he  had  communicated 
it  to  you.  Of  that  however  I am  not  sure,  and  therefore  now  take  the 
liberty  of  sending  you  a description  of  it  and  a model,  which  1 have  pre- 
pared for  the  Board  of  Agriculture  of  England  at  their  request.  Mr. 
Strickland,  one  of  their  members,  had  seen  the  model,  and  alro  the  thing 
itself  in  use  in  my  farms,  and  thinking  favorably  of  it,  had  mentioned  it 
to  thrai.  My  purpose  in  troubling  you  with  it,  is  to  ask  the  favor  of 
]rou  to  examine  the  description  rigorously,  and  suggest  to  me  any  correc- 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


264 


[1798 


tions  or  alterations  which  you  may  think  necessary,  and  would  wish  to 
have  the  ideas  go  as  correct  as  possible  out  of  my  hands.  I had  some- 
times thought  of  giving  it  into  the  Philosophical  Society,  but  I doubted 
whether  it  was  worth  their  notice,  and  supposed  it  not  exactly  in  the  line 
of  their  ordinary  publications.  I had,  therefore,  contemplated  the  send- 
ing it  to  some  of  our  agricultural  societies,  in  whose  way  it  was  more 
particularly,  when  I received  the  request  of  the  English  board.  The 
papers  I enclose  you  are  the  latter  part  of  a letter  to  Sir  John  Sinclair, 
their  president.  It  is  to  go  off  by  the  packet,  wherefore  I will  ask  the 
favor  of  you  to  return  them  with  the  model  in  the  course  of  the  present 
week,  with  any  observations  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  favor  me  with. 

. . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  10:  15-16.)  [See  appendix  VI.] 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Philadelphia,  Apr.  5,  '98. 

. . . The  advance  of  the  season  makes  me  long  to  get  home.  The 
first  shad  we  had  here  was  Mar.  16,  and  Mar.  a8  was  the  first  day  we 
could  observe  a greenish  hue  on  the  weeping-willow,  from  its  young 
leaves.  Not  the  smallest  symptom  of  blossoming  yet,  on  any  species  of 
fruit  tree.  All  this  proves  that  we  have  near  two  months  in  the  year  of 
vegetable  life,  and  of  animal  happiness  so  far  as  they  are  connected,  more 
in  our  canton  than  here.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  a:  407.) 

(Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Belmont  May  la  1798. 

Nothing  makes  me  feel  your  absence  so  sensibly  as  the  beauty  of  the 
season ; when  every  object  in  nature  invites  one  into  the  fields,  the  close 
monotonous  streets  of  a city  which  offers  no  charms  of  society  within 
doors  to  compensate  for  the  dreariness  of  the  scene  without,  must  be 
absolutely  intolerable  particularly  to  you  who  have  such  interesting  em- 
ployment at  home.  Monticello  shines  with  a transcendent  luxury  of 
vegetation  above  the  rest  of  the  neighborhood  as  yet,  we  have  been  en- 
tirely supplied  with  vegetables  from  there  having  no  sort  of  a garden 
here  nor  any  prospect  of  one  this  year.  I am  ^ad  to  have  it  in  my 
power  to  give  you  a more  favorable  account  of  things  than  M'  Randolph 
did  in  his  last  which  was  written  immediately  after  a frost  that  blasted 
every  appearance  of  vegetation,  but  John  informs  me  all  the  peaches, 
cherries  (except  the  Kentish)  and  figs  which  had  been  uncovered  were 
gone  past  recovery  for  this  year,  yet  of  strawberries,  raspberries,  currants 
etc.  there  will  be  more  than  common.  I dined  at  Monticello  a fort- 
night ago.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Philadelphia,  June  4,  ’98. 

...  I promised  you,  long  ago,  a description  of  a mould  board.  1 
now  send  it;  it  is  a press  copy  & therefore  dim.  It  will  be  less  so  by 


1798] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


265 

putting  a sheet  of  white  paper  behind  the  one  you  are  reading.  I 
would  recommend  to  you  first  to  have  a model  made  of  about  3 i.  to  the 
foot,  or  I the  real  dimensions,  and  to  have  two  blocks,  the  of  which, 
after  taking  out  the  pyramidal  piece  & sawing  it  crosswise  above  & be- 
low, should  be  preserved  in  that  form  to  instruct  workmen  in  making  the 
large  & real  one.  The  2*  block  may  be  carried  through  all  the  opera- 
tions, so  as  to  present  the  form  of  the  mould  board  complete.  If  I had 
an  opportunity  of  sending  you  a model  I would  do  it.  It  has  been 
greatly  approved  here,  as  it  has  been  before  by  some  very  good  judges  at 
my  house,  where  I have  used  it  for  5 years  with  entire  approbation.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  i : 61.) 

(Jefferson  to  Stevens  Thomson  Mason.) 

Monticello,  Oct.  il,  98. 

. . . You  promised  to  endeavor  to  send  me  some  tenants.  I am  wait- 
ing for  them,  having  broken  up  two  excellent  farms  with  12.  fields  in 
them  of' 40.  acres  each,  some  of  which  I have  sowed  with  small  grain. 
Tenants  of  any  size  may  be  accommodated  with  the  number  of  fields 
suited  to  their  force.  Only  send  me  good  people,  and  write  me  what 
they  arc.  (Ford,  Jefferson  8:  450-451.) 

From  the  Account  Book  I'jg  1—1803: 

Mar.  7.  p".  annual  subscription  to  [Charles  Willson]  Peale’s  Mu- 
seum. 2.  D. 

Mar.  16.  the  first  shad  at  this  market  to-day. 

Mar.  28.  the  weeping  willow  Just  shows  the  green  leaf. 

Apr.  9.  Asparagus  comes  to  table. 

Apr.  10.  Apricots  blossom. 


1799 

1799*  Jefferson  was  again  in  Philadelphia  when  January 
opened.  He  had  been  present  on  December  27  for  the  open- 
ing of  the  session  of  Congress  and  was  now  presiding  oyer  the 
Senate.  A possible  war  with  France  was  still  brewing,  so  that 
political  matters  centered  mainly  on  that  unfortunate  affair. 

As  in  the  preceding  year,  he  made  only  one  trip  to  Monti- 
cello,  but  this  year  his  stay  was  longer,  lasting  over  nine 
months,  from  March  8 to  December  21. 

On  arriving  home,  he  found  that  very  little  had  been  done 
toward  covering  his  house.  He  wrote  to  Maria  Eppes,  on 
the  day  he  arrived: 

I am  this  moment  arrived  here,  and  the  post  being  about  to  depart,  I 
sit  down  to  inform  you  of  it.  Your  sister  came  over  with  me  from 
Belmont,  where  we  left  all  well.  The  family  will  move  over  the  day 
after  to-morrow.  They  give  up  the  house  there  about  a week  hence. 
We  want  nothing  now  to  fill  up  our  happiness  but  to  have  you  and  Mr. 
Eppes  here.  Scarcely  a stroke  has  been  done  towards  covering  the 
housS  since  I went  away,  so  that  it  has  remained  open  at  the  north  end 
another  winter.  It  seems  as  if  I should  never  get  it  inhabitable.  . . . 
(Randall,  Jefferson  a:  506-507.) 

Other  affairs  at  Monticello  also  were  not  running  so 
smoothly  as  they  had  previously.  The  nailery,  which  had 
been  flourishing  for  the  past  two  years,  had  slowed  down. 
Jefferson  wrote  from  Monticello  on  May  14  to  Archibald 
Stuart:  "A  long  Illness  of  my  foreman,  occasions  our  work  to 
go  on  so  poorly  that  I am  able  to  do  little  more  than  supply 
[nails  to]  this  part  of  the  country”  (Ford,  Jejferson  9:  66). 

There  is  practically  no  record  of  the  gardening  and  farm- 
ing that  was  carried  on  during  Jefferson’s  stay  at  Monticello 
this  year.  Even  the  letters  were  few,  and  those  extant  offer 
only  the  barest  mention  of  what  was  happening  agriculturally. 
But  since  the  entire  family  was  reunited,  we  may  be  sure  that  a 
considerable  amount  of  agricultural  work  was  both  planned 
and  carried  out  during  this  happy  summer. 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

266 


*799] 


267 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1799 
(Jefferson  to  Maria  (Jefferson)  Eppes.) 

Monticello,  April  13,  ’99. 

. . . Our  spring  has  been  remarkably  backward.  I presume  we  shall 
have  asparagus  to-morrow  for  the  first  time.  The  peach  trees  blos- 
somed about  a week  ago.  The  cherries  are  just  now  (this  day)  blos- 
soming. . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  a:  507.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  W.  Eppes.) 

Monticello  June  7.  99. 

. . . your  prospect  of  a crop  here  has  been  as  good  as  could  be  inde- 
pendant of  the  seasons,  but  there  has  been  through  the  whole  of  this  part 
of  the  country  an  extraordinary  failure  of  plants,  many  have  lost  all ; 
most  the  greater  part,  you  are  of  the  former  number;  mr  Randolph 
& myself  of  the  latter,  of  three  patches,  I did  not  get  a single  plant 
from  two  of  them,  the  3**  turned  out  well,  but,  as  is  the  case  generally 
the  plants  are  so  backward,  that  tho  we  have  had  fine  seasons,  we  have 
been  able  to  plant  only  6o.  M.  out  of  150.  M.  as  yet.  we  spared  Page 
to-day  12.  M.  for  he  had  not  a single  one:  and  I hope  we  shall  be  able  to 
furnish  him  a considerable  quantity  more;  but  they  arc  yet  to  grow  to 
the  necessary  size,  he  shall  share  with  us  as  favorably  as  possible.  I 
have  furnished  him  with  corn  for  his  people  and  horses  till  harvest,  in 
order  to  make  him  frugal  of  it  (for  it  costs  me  30/  a barrel)  I have  said 
nothing  to  him  of  the  prospect  after  that,  however  I shall  now  let  him 
know  that  I always  destined  for  your  plantation  the  field  of  rye  I sowed 
adjoining  to  it,  so  that  he  may  prepare  for  harvesting  it.  I suppose  it 
will  yield  a couple  of  hundred  bushels,  if  corn  is  then  to  be  had  I will 
furnish  him  with  enough  to  mix  half  & half  with  the  rye  for  his  people. 

. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Alderman  Memorial  Library,  University  of 
Virginia.  Hereafter  cited  as  Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  Stevens  Thomson  Mason.) 

Monticello,  Oct.  27,  X799. 

...  I find  I am  not  fit  to  be  a farmer  with  the  kind  of  labor  we  have, 
& also'  subject  to  such  long  avocation.  Mr,  Craven  had  thought  too 
much  of  the  raspberry  plains  to  be  satisfied  with  our  mountainous  coun- 
try; however,  although  we  have  not  come  to  an  absolute  engagement, 
yet  he  departs  under  expectation  of  deciding  to  return,  & to  decide  others 
to  come.  I have  shewn  him  800.  acres  of  enclosed  & cultivated  lands, 
which  I release  in  such  parcels  as  the  tenants  desire.  Before  he  arrived, 
1 had  leased  160.  acres  to  a very  good  man,  being  afraid  to  lose  the  offer 
under  the  uncertainty  whether  I might  get  others.  . . . (Ford,  Jeffer- 
son g:  85.) 


268 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1799 


(Daniel  Clark,  Jr.,  to  Jefferson.) 

New  Orleans,  Nov.  12,  1799. 

[On  November  12  Daniel  Clark,  Jr.,  wrote  to  Jefferson,  saying  that 
he  had  sent  to  him  a barrel  of  oranges  and  a box  of  paccan  nuts.  He 
wrote  of  the  paccan  nuts :] 

They  grow  everywhere  on  the  Banks  of  the  Mississippi  River  from  the 
Ilinois  River  to  the  Sea,  generally  in  the  low  grounds  & even  in  Places 
occasionally  overflowed  by  the  annual  size  of  the  Waters,  the  Tree 
grows  to  the  usual  size  of  Forest  Trees  and  affords  a delightful  shade 
in  summer,  it  might  be  worth  while  to  cultivate  it  in  Virginia  for  use  & 
ornament.  . . . {Jefferton  Papers,  L.  C.) 

From  the  Farm  Book: 

1799 — Nov,  I.  70  bushels  of  the  Robinson  & red  Hughes  (about  half 
of  each)  have  made  120.  gallons  of  cyder.  George  says  that  when  in  a 
proper  state  (there  was  much  rot  among  these)  they  ought  to  make 
3.  gall*,  to  the  bushel,  as  he  knows  from  having  often  measured  both. 


i8oo 

1800.*  Jefferson  wrote  to  Maria  Eppes,  from  Philadel- 
phia, on  January  17;  “I  left  home  on  the  21st,  and  arrived 
here  on  the  28th  of  December,  after  a pleasant  journey  of  fine 
weather  and  good  roads,  and  without  having  experienced  any 
inconvenience”  (Randall,  Jefferson  2:  533). 

This  was  Jefferson’s  last  sojourn  in  Philadelphia.  He  was 
never  to  visit  again  the  city  that  had  seen  so  much  of  his  labors 
for  the  new  Republic.  He  was  in  Philadelphia  presiding 
over  the  Senate,  and  coping  with  his  ever-increasing  political 
enemies,  until  May  14,  when  Congress  adjourned.  He  left 
Philadelphia  May  15,  and  reached  Monticello  on  the  29th. 
En  route  home  he  stopped  at  Montblanco,  Maria’s  new  home, 
Eppington,  and  Edgehill,  the  Randolph’s  new  home. 

In  January  Jefferson  heard  of  the  birth  of  Maria’s  first 
child,  which  unfortunately  survived  only  a few  weeks.  On 
February  12  he  wrote  to  Maria: 

Mr.  Eppes’s  letter  of  January  17  had  filled  me  with  anxiety  for  your 
little  one,  and  that  of  the  23th  announced  what  I had  feared.  How 
deeply  I feel  it  in  all  its  bearings  I shall  not  say — nor  attempt  consola- 
tion when  I know  that  time  and  silence  are  the  only  medicines.  (Rant 
dall,  Jefferson  a:  535.) 

Another  sorrow  that  affected  Jefferson  keenly  was  the  death 
of  his  body  servant,  Jupiter.  In  the  same  letter  referred  to 
above,  he  wrote:  “You  have,  perhaps,  heard  of  the  loss  of 
Jupiter.  With  all  his  defects,  he  leaves  a void  in  my  domestic 
arrangements  which  cannot  be  filled.” 

The  Presidential  canvass  opened  in  the  summer.  Jeff ef son 
and  Aaron  Burr  were  the  two  candidates  on  the  Republican 
ticket.  Their  opponents  were  John  Adams  and  Charles  , C. 
Pinckney.  In  June  the  capital  was  moved  from  Philadelphia 
to  Washington,  a change  that  greatly  pleased  Jefferson,  for  it 
brought  him  nearer  to  Monticello  and  his  family.  When  he 
returned  to  the  Senate  on  November  27,  it  was  meeting  in 
Washington. 

* This  year,  not  represented  ip  the  Garden 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


170 


[1800 


Despite  the  political  campaign  that  continued  all  summer, 
Jefferson  remained  in  more  or  less  retirement  at  Monticello, 
leaving  his  mountaintop  only  for  a short  trip  to  his  Bedford 
estate,  Poplar  Forest,  and  a trip  to  another  part  of  Albemarle 
County.  The  family  was  together  for  a part  of  the  summer. 
The  garden  and  farming  activities  were  more  numerous  than 
in  the  preceding  year,  but  the  Garden  Book  was  completely 
neglected.  There  were,  however,  a few  entries  in  the  Farm 
Book. 


Letters  and  Extracts  op  Letters,  1800 

(Jefferson  to  Daniel  Clark,  Jr.) 

Philadelphia  Jan.  i6.  i8oo. 

Your  favor  of  Nov.  12  has  been  duly  received,  as  has  also  the  parcel 
of  Paccan  nuts  for  which,  as  well  as  the  oranges,  be  pleased  to  accept 
my  acknowledgement.  ...  the  nuts  I have  immediatdy  forwarded  to 
Monticello,  my  residence  in  Virginia  to  be  planted,  two  young  trees 
planted  in  that  part  of  the  country  in  1780.  and  now  flourishing,  though 
not  bearing,  prove  they  may  be  raised  tiiere ; and  I shall  set  great  value 
on  the  chance  of  having  a grove  of  them.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

[Philadelphia]  Feb,  4,  1800. 

. . , My  anxiety  to  get  my  lands  rented  is  extreme.  I readily  agree 
therefore  that  Mr,  Kerr  shdl  take  for  5 years,  or  say  till  Christmas, 
1804,  the  oblong,  square  field,  and  the  one  on  the  river  next  below  the 
square  field,  comprehending  the  orchard;  only  1 should  be  very  urgent 
that  he  should  take  a compleat  field  there;  for  I expect  there  is  enough 
between  the  river  and  the  road  by  old  Hickman’s  settlement  to  make  2 
fields  of  40  a*,  each,  by  cleaning  up  and  straightening  the  skirts,  perhaps 
by  cutting  down  some  slips  on  the  margin.  For  so  much  as  would  be  to 
clear  I would  take  no  rent  the  1“  year.  He  would  then  have  the  3 
fields  in  a line  on  the  river,  and  three  other  fields  would  remain  along  the 
road  to  the  triangle  inclusive  for  another  tenant.  Observe  I must  have 
with  him,  as  1 have  with  Mr.  Peyton,  free  passage  along  the  roads ; that 
is  to  say,  along  the  road  which  used  to  be,  & must  be  again,  down  the 
river  side.  All  the  conditions  to  be  the  same  as  with  Mr.  Peyton.  I say 
I wish  him  to  be  pushed  to  the  taking  the  120  acres;  yet,  rather  than  lose 
a tenant,  I would  agree  to  the  hundred  acres,  to  wit,  the  oblong,  square 
& half  the  lower  field.  But  you  are  sensible  he  would  get  by  that  means 
a great  over-proportion  of  cream,  & therefore  I wish  to  force  on  him  the 
other  half  fidd.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  i ; 68.) 


i8oo] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


271 


(Jefferson  to  Richard  Richardson.) 

Philadelphia  Mar.  31.  1800. 

In  yours  of  the  you  acknolege  mine  of  Feb.  17.  since  that  I 
wrote  to  you  on  the  16"*.  and  25“*.  inst:  the  last  was  merely  to  inform 
you  of  the  departure  of  a box  of  plants.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Thomas 
Jefferson  Memorial  Foundation.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Hamilton  of  Woodlands.) 

Philadelphia,  Apr.  32.  1800. 

. . . Among  the  many  botanical  curiosities  you  were  so  good  as  to 
shew  me  the  other  day,  I forgot  to  ask  if  you  had  the  Dionaea  muscipula, 
& whether  it  produces  a seed  with  you.  If  it  does,  I should  be  very 
much  disposed  to  trespass  on  your  liberality  so  far  as  to  ask  a few  seeds 
of  that,  as  also  of  the  Acacia  Nilotica,  or  Farnesiana,  whichever  you  have. 

. . . (Ford,  Jefferson  g:  131.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  R.  Livmgston.) 

Philadelphia,  Apr.  30,  1800. 

...  I thank  you  for  the  volume  of  your  agricultural  transactions:  & 
as  I perceive  you  take  a great  interest  in  whatever  relates  to  this  first  & 
most  precious  of  all  the  arts,  I have  packed  in  a small  box,  a model  of  a 
mouldboard  of  a plough,  of  my  invention,  if  that  term  may  be  used  for 
a mere  change  of  form.  It  is  accompanied  by  a block,  which  will  shew 
the  form  in  which  the  block  is  to  be  got  for  making  die  mouldboard  & 
the  manner  of  making  it.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  g;  133.) 

(Daniel  Clarke,  Jr.,  to  Jefferson.) 

New  Orleans  May  29,  1800. 

...  I am  happy  to  learn  that  the  few  Paeans  I sent  you  are  likely  to 
turn  to  some  good  account,  and  sincerely  wish  your  Grove  of  them  may 
flourish,  if  there  are  any  other  Trees  [illegible]  or  anythmg  else  whidi 
the  country  produces,  & hitherto  [illegible]  not  naturalized  or  neglected 
with  you,  I would  take  pleasure  in  procuring  any  you  may  desire,  and 
forwarding  them  in  safely  to  you.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush.) 

Washington  Dec.  14. 1800. 

I have  duly  received  your  favor  of  the  2^.  instant  and  the  melon  seeds 
accompanying  them.  I shall  certainly  cherish  them,  and  try  whether  the 
dimate  of  Monticello  can  preserve  them  without  degeneracy.  . . . {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.) 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


272 


[1800 


(Jefferson  to  Andrew  ElUcott.) 

Washington,  December  1 8,  1800. 

. . . Attractive  nature  and  the  country  employments  are  my  apology 
to  my  friends  for  being  a verj'  unpunctual  correspondent  while  at  home ; 
having  no  refuge  here  from  my  room  and  writing-table,  it  is  here  that  I 
fetch  the  less  easy  of  my  correspondence.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh, 
Jefferson  19;  lai.) 


From  the  Farm  Book: 

1800.  Sep.  9.  on  accurate  trial  3.  bush,  of  wheat  in  the  chaff  as  it  came 
from  the  threshing  machine  yielded  i.  bush,  of  clean  wheat. 


From  the  Account  Book: 

Mar,  15.  pd  portage  to  Bartram’s  .625. 

Mar.  30.  weeping  willow  looks  green,  frogs  cry. 
April  8.  peaches  blossom. 


Plan  for  a Rotation  of  Crops  Proposed  by  Thomas 
Jefferson  to  Craven  Peyton 


the  above  proposed  by  Th:  J. 


{Jefferson  Papers,  U,  Va.) 


i8oi 

i8oi.*  Jefferson  had  arrived  at  the  new  capital,  Washing- 
ton, on  November  27,  1800,  so  that  he  was  still  presiding  over 
the  Senate  when  the  new  year  opened.  He  remained  in  Wash- 
ington until  April  i,  on  which  day  he  left  for  Monticello  for 
his  spring  vacation.  During  his  stay  in  Washington  he  had 
been  elected,  on  February  17,  the  third  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  on  March  4 he  was  inaugurated. 

He  remained  at  Monticello  during  most  of  the  month  of 
April,  returning  to  Washington  on  the  26th.  He  left  a scant 
record  of  what  happened  in  the  garden  during  that  month.  In 
a letter  to  Maria,  written  on  April  ii,  from  Monticello,  he 
wrote:  “John  being  at  work  under  Lilly  [overseer  at  Monti- 
cello'] Goliah  is  our  gardener,  and  with  his  veteran  aids  will  be 
directed  to  make  what  preparations  he  can  for  you.”  This 
would  indicate  that  the  usual  garden  preparations  were  being 
carried  out.  Rebuilding  the  house  was  still  in  progress,  and 
since  it  had  been  covered,  work  was  moving  slowly  on  the  in- 
terior. 

Jefferson’s  new  interest  this  year  was  the  canal  he  was  pre- 
paring on  the  Rivanna  River.  He  had  written  Mr.  Randolph 
on  January  23 : “When  I come  home  I shall  lay  off  the  canal, 
if  Lilly’s  gang  can  undertake  it.” 

Jefferson’s  second  visit  to  Monticello  began  on  August  2. 
The  family  was  together  during  his  stay — ^Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ran- 
dolph with  their  four  children,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eppes  with 
their  one  son.  He  returned  to  Washington  on  September  30, 
where  he  immediately  became  engrossed  with  problems  of 
state.  Two  trips  were  made  to  Mount  Fernon  during  the 
year,  the  purposes  of  which  he  did  not  state  in  his  corre- 
spondence. 

Another  year  passed  unrecorded  in  either  the  Garden  Book 
or  the  Farm  Book.  The  Account  Book  has  only  one  entry 
about  farming:  “Aug.  ii.  p^  R.  J.’s  [Randolph  Jefferson’s] 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

373 


274 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8oi 

Squire  for  25:^  quarts  of  white  clover  seed  @ 1/6  £ 1-17— 
loi.” 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1801 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington,  Jan.  33,  1801. 

. . . P.  S.  When  I come  home  I shall  lay  ofE  the  canal,  if  Lilly’s 
gang  can  undertake  it.  I had  directed  Lilly  to  make  a dividing  fence  be- 
tween Craven’s  fields  at  Monticello  & those  I retain.  The  object  was 
to  give  me  the  benefit  of  the  latter  for  pasture.  If  I stay  here,  the  }rard 
will  be  pasture  enough  and  may  spare,  or  at  least  delay,  this  great  tc 
perishable  work  of  the  dividing  fence.  At  least  it  may  lie  for  further 
consideration.  I hope  Lilly  keeps  the  small  nailers  engaged  so  as  to 
supply  our  customers  in  the  neighborhood,  so  that  we  may  not  lose  them 
during  this  interregnum.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  i:  85.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington,  Jan.  29  [1801]. 

. . . Mr.  Wilson  Nicholas  and  myself  have  this  day  joined  in  order- 
ing clover  seed  from  New  York,  where  it  is  to  be  had,  it  is  said,  at  la 
dollars.  I have  ordered  5 bushels  for  you.  I believe  I have  none  to 
sow  myself.  . . . My  tender  love  to  my  ever  de^  Martha  and  to  the 
little  ones.  I believe  I must  ask  her  to  give  directions  to  Goliah  & his 
senile  corps  to  prepare  what  they  can  in  the  garden,  as  it  is  very  possible 
I may  want  it.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  1 ; 87-88.) 

(Jefferson  to  Phillip  Mazzei.) 

Washington,  Mar.  17,  1801. 

. . . The  vetches  you  were  so  good  as  to  send  by  Baltimore  came 
safdy  to  hand ; and  bebg  by  that  time  withdrawn  from  my  farm  into 
public  life  again,  1 consigned  them  to  a friend.  The  seeds  which  I sent 
you  were  of  the  Cymbling  (Cucurbita  vermeosa  [==  verrncora] ) & squash 
(cueurbiia  melopipo)  the  latter  grows  with  erect  stems;  the  former  trails 
on  the  ground  altogether.  The  squash  is  the  best  tasted-  But  if  you 
will  plant  the  cymbling  and  pumpkin  near  together,  you  will  produce 
the  perfect  equivalent  of  the  squash,  and  I am  persuad^  the  squash  was 
originally  so  produced  and  that  it  is  a hybridal  plant.  (Ford,  Jefferson 
g:  2io-'2ii.) 

(Jefferson  to  Peter  Legaux.) 

Washington  Mar.  24.  i8ot. 

[On  March  24  Jefferson  wrote  to  M.  Legaux,  thanking  him  for  his 
offer  to  send  him  some  of  his  grape  vines.  He  also  said:] 

It  is  too  late  this  season  but  will  want  them  for  next  (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.)  [See  entry,  May  11,  1802,  in  Garden  Booif,] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


275 


1801] 

(Jefferson  to  John  Bartram,  Jr.) 

Washington  June  li.  1801. 

. . . will  you  be  so  good  as  to  plant  for  me  [illegible]  some  plants  of 
the  Alpine,  Hudson  & Chile  strawberries  in  a pot  [of  earth?],  in  that 
way  I can  have  them  brought  safely  to  this  place  and  [illegible]  them 
home  from  hence  at  my  leisure.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Julien  Niemcewicz  to  Jefferson.) 

t6  June  1801.  Elizabeth  Town  New  Jersey. 

Amongst  numerous  petitions  & applications  which  as  the  first  Magis' 
trate  of  the  Commonwealth  you  daily  receive  Sir,  you  will  not  I hope 
reject  the  petition  of  an  old  Acquaintance,  it  is  only  for  a Plant  that 
grows  in  Virginia  by  the  name  of  Seneca  Root,  Polygala  Seneca  of 
Lineus,  being  witness  of  its  Efficacy  in  various  diseases,  & seeing  the  diffi- 
culty of  procuring  it  here,  I thought  it  would  be  of  some  utility  for  the 
Inhabitants  to  propagate  it.  The  Seed  according  the  Directions  of  the 
Botanists  must  be  sown  as  soon  as  it  is  ripe,  I shall  then  be  extremely 
obliged  to  you,  if  you  have  the  Kindness  to  ask  it  from  some  of  your 
friends  in  Virginia,  & have  it  forwarded  to  me.  I am  aware  that  to 
trouble  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  amongst  his  Serious  & Important  oc- 
cupations, for  the  sake  of  a Plant,  is  a bold  Intrusion,  but  I know  like- 
wise, your  Zeal  & Eagerness,  to  promote  & spread  whatever  may  be  use- 
ful & in  the  least  beneficial  to  mankind.  A Single  Child  cured  by  your 
plant  will,  be  sufficient  reward  for  your  trouble,  & to  me  would  be  the 
highest  pitch  of  ambition  to  which  1 aspire.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Julien  Niemcewicz.) 

Washington  June  29.  1801. 

Your  favor  of  the  i6‘'‘  is  just  received.  I shall  be  at  Monticello  dur- 
ing the  months  of  Aug.  & Sep.  which  I believe  comprehends  the  seeding 
time  of  the  Polygala  Seneca,  in  which  case  I will  endeavor  to  have  some 
saved.  I know  however  it  is  become  extremely  rare,  lest  my  efforts 
should  fail,  I may  mention  that  in  that  want  Bartram  could  furnish 
either  the  plants  or  seed.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Daniel  Clark,  Jr.,  to  Jefferson.) 

New  Orleans,  July  20,  1801. 

...  In  the  last  letter  I had  the  honor  of  receiving  from  you,  you 
mentioned  that  your  Paean  Trees  at  Monticello  tho’  planted  in  1780 
had  not  hitherto  borne  fruit,  this  must  be  owing  to^  their  being  planted 
in  too  elevated  or  too  dry  a soil  as  they  bear  in  this  country  in  ten  or 
twelve  years,  and  the  trees  in  their  natural  state  are  I believe  alwaw 
found  in  the  River  Bottoms  and  in  places  occasionally  overflowed  at  the 
annual  rise  of  the  river.  I have  taken  the  liberty  of  mentioning  this 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


276 


C1801 


Circumstance  that  you  may  try  the  experiment  on  some  young  Trees  I 
send  herewith  put  up  in  a case  as  well  as  a few  orange  Trees  which  I 
hope  will  get  safe  to  hand.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(William  Maclure  to  Jefferson.) 

Paris  20“*  Novem'.  1801. 

I wrote  you  from  England  last  summer  and  have  since  been  thro’ 
Germany  and  on  the  Rhine.  I thought  both  the  soil  and  climate  in 
many  places  bore  a greater  resemblance  to  the  soil  and  climate  in  the 
back  parts  of  Pennsylvania  Maryland  and  Virginia  than  any  part  of 
Europe  I have  yet  been  in  and  finding  that  the  farmers  from  the  want  of 
enclosures  and  pasture  feed  their  cattle  for  some  part  of  the  year  on  roots 
induced  the  to  forward  to  you  by  this  opportunity  some  of  the  Beets  and 
the  Turnip  Cabbage  which  they  use  principally  as  winter  food  for  their 
cattle  and  hope  they  will  arrive  in  time  for  you  to  make  the  experiment. 
Am  rather  induced  to  believe  that  sufficient  attention  has  not  been  paid 
in  the  choice  of  seeds  to  the  previous  habits  of  the  vegetable  depending 
much  on  the  nature  of  the  Climate  and  perhaps  something  on  the  soil, 
in  many  of  the  experiments  to  raise  winter  food  for  the  Cattle  in  Vir- 

finia  such  as  turnips  etc.  the  seeds  have  been  brought  from  England  & 
foUand  where  the  climate  is  moist  and  not  so  variable  in  point  of 
temperature  from  their  proximity  to  the  sea  and  Insular  situation  for 
the  same  reason  perhaps  the  cloveti  lucern  & other  grasses  which  grow 
in  the  upper  parts  of  Germany  might  succeed  with  you  where  the  Eng- 
lish and  Dutch  seeds  have  failed  and  not  improbably  the  vine  from  the 
banks  of  the  Rhine  would  thrive  well  on  the  Southwest  Mountains  as 
the  soil  is  much  the  same  and  the  Climate  equally  warm,  when  I 
passed  that  Country  it  was  the  Vintage  and  too  early  for  the  setts,  or  I 
should  have  forced  some  from  the  different  situations  and  exposures. — 
They  plant  Tobacco  very  generally  in  Germany  and  have  found  it  an- 
swers all  the  purposes  of  a Pulse  crop  in  cleaning  and  envigorating  the 
soil,  in  June  they  plant  and  take  it  up  in  Septem^  when  they  immedi- 
ately sow  wheat  which  experience  has  taught  them  yeilds  a better  crop 
than  if  the  land  had  lain  fallow  the  price  is  from  15/  to  16/  lb  [illegible] 
which  the  farmer  makes  little  or  nothing  but  as  a Pulse  crop  in  the  ro- 
tation they  are  induced  to  plant  it  every  five  years.  Ive  rather  been  of 
oppinion  that  the  common  land  in  Virginia  of  the  Tobacco  being  an  im- 
poverishing crop  arose  from  allowing  the  soil  to  wash  after  having  been 
well  pulverized  and  suffer  the  stalks  to  run  to  seed  after  they  were  cut. 
In  the  Country  round  the  Hartz  Mountains  they  use  pulverized  Gypsum 
as  a top  dressing  for  their  Lucern  & Clover  tho  this  soil  is  calcarious  and 
frequently  cut  the  lucern  seven  times  and  the  clover  five  times  by  sow- 
ing about  a bushel  to  the  acre  after  every  cutting. — both  in  Germany 
and  this  Country  they  are  turning  their  attention  more  to  agriculture 
than  they- used  to  do.  the  cheapest  of  labour  facilitates  this  experiment 
and  is  perhaps  the  only  part  of  their  improvements  that  can  add  to  the 
prosperity  of  America  by  addopting  only  those  that  have  succeeded.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  tj.  C.) 


i8o2 


1802/ 

May  II.  planted  grape  vines  recieved  from  Legaux*  in 
the  S.W.  vineyard.*  in  vacant  spaces  of  rows 
in  the  upper  or  i“.  row  very  large  white  eating 
grapes. 

2*.  row  "I  30.  plants  of  vines  from  Burgundy* 
3*.  d*.  J and  Champagne ' with  roots. 

4‘*.  rowl  30.  plants  of  vines  of  Bordeaux* 
i*".  rowj  with  roots. 

6*“.  row.  10.  plants  of  vines  from  Cape  of 
good  hope  * with  roots. 

26.  planted  in  the  upper  row  of  the  Nursery  begin- 
ning at  the  N.E.  end  the  following  peach  stones, 
sent  me  by  Mazzei  from  Pisa.®  see  his  letter.* 
4.  stones  of  the  Maddelena  peach.“  then  4. 
of  the  poppe  de  Venere.“  then  12  Melon 
peaches,  then  40.  Vaga  loggia.*® 

also  planted  a great  number  of  Paccan  nuts,** 
in  the  same  rows  of  those  planted  the  two  last 
years. 


* i8o2,  Jefferson  was  now  entering  his  second  year  as 
President.  His  time  was  taken  up  with  the  usual  routine  of 
the  office. 

He  made  a short  spring  visit  to  Monticello  on  May  5,  re- 
turning to  Washington  on  May  27.  During  this  visit  he  di- 

277 


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178 


[1802 


rected  Anthony  Giannini  to  plant  grape  vines  sent  to  him  by 
Mr.  Legaux.  (See  entry  in  Garden  Book  and  letter,  Jeffer- 
son to  Legaux,  March  24,  1801.)  The  day  before  he  re- 
turned to  Washington  he  planted  a variety  of  plants  in  the 
nursery. 

Jefferson’s  second  visit  to  Monticello  took  place  on  July  21. 
He  was  back  in  Washington  on  October  4.  During  this  visit 
the  family,  which  had  been  absent  during  the  spring  visit,  was 
with  him.  There  is  no  record  as  to  what  agricultural  matters 
transpired  during  the  visit. 

Work  on  the  house  continued  at  a slow  pace.  Probably 
the  most  important  addition  to  the  house  was  the  northwest 
oiBces,  which  contained  the  icehouse  and  the  coach  houses. 
Jefferson  wrote  to  James  Dinsmore,  his  carpenter  at  Montu 
cello,  on  March  19: 


As  I suppose  mr  Lilly  is  digging  the  North  West  offices,  & Ice  house 
I will  now  give  further  directions  respecting  them,  the  eves  of  those 
offices  is  to  be  of  course  exactly  on  the  level  of  those  on  the  South  East 
side  of  the  hill,  but  as  the  North  West  building  is  chiefly  for  coach 
houses,  the  floor  must  be  sunk  9.  feet  deep  below  the  bottom  of  the  plate 
to  let  a coach  go  under  it.  then  the  ice  house  is  to  be  dug  16.  feet  deeper 
than  that,  the  ice  house  is  then  to  be  sealed,  circular,  to  a height  of  4. 
feet  above  the  office  floors,  leaving  a door  3^  feet  wide  on  the  N.  W. 
side  of  it.  on  that  height  it  is  to  be  joisted  with  2.  I.  plank  9 I,  wide  & 
laid  edge  up  & 9.  I.  dear  apart  from  one  another,  running  across  the 
building,  or  N,  W.  & S.  E.  then  to  be  covered  with  inch  plank.  . . . 
this  arrangement  of  the  joists  is  intended  to  leave  them  open  towards  the 
N.  W.  wind  to  let  in  air,  which  may  be  excluded  by  small  shutters  when- 
ever it  shall  be  thought  better  to  close  them,  the  openings  are  left  only 
9 I.  square  that  a person  may  not  get  in  at  them.  {Jefferton  Papers, 
L.  C)  (PI.  XVIII.) 

Although  the  Garden  Book  had  two  entries  for  the  year, 
there  were  none  in  the  Farm  Book;  the  letters  again  are  the 
main  source  of  agricultural  information. 

* Peter  Legaux  lived  at  Spring  Mills,  13  miles  northwest  of 
Philadelphia.  Bailey  says  of  him:  “Legaux  appears  to  have 
been  the  most  intelligent  and  public-spirited  grape-grower 
which  the  country  had  known;  and  he  was  the  person  who  in- 
troduced— ^though  unknowingly— the  grape  which  ushered  in 
the  distinctive  American  viticulture."  (L.  H.  Bailey,  The 
Evolution  of  Our  Native  Fruits  (New  York,  1911):  19. 
Hereafter  cited  as  Bailey,  Fruits.)  See  also  letter,  Jefferson 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


279 


1802] 

to  Legaux,  March  24,  1801.  In  the  Account  Book  for  the 
year  is  this  entry:  “May  1 1.  p*  Anthony  Giannini  for  planting 
grape  vines  from  Legaux  i.  D.” 

* See  plates  VII  and  XXXII  for  location  of  the  vineyard. 

* Burgundy,  province  of  eastern  France. 

® Champagne,  old  province  of  northeastern  France. 

® Bordeaux,  seaport  city,  capital  of  Department  of  Gironde, 
France. 

''  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  province  of  Union  of  South  Africa, 
with  Cape  Town  as  the  capital.  (See  Bailey,  Fruits:  42-45, 
for  a discussion  of  the  grapes  mentioned  above.) 

* Pisa,  city  of  Tuscany,  Italy,  on  Arno  River. 

* This  letter  has  not  been  located. 

” Maddelena,  a variety  of  peach. 

^^Poppe  de  Venere,  translated,  “the  breast  of  Venus,”  a 
variety  of  peach. 

“ Vaga  loggia,  translated,  “beautiful  loggia,”  a variety  of 
peach. 

” Jefferson  probably  received  these  paccan  nuts  from  Daniel 
Clark,  Jr.,  of  New  Orleans.  See  letter,  Daniel  Clark,  Jr.,  to 
Jefferson,  July  ao,  1801. 

Letters  and  Extracts  op  Letters,  1802 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Bailey.) 

Washington  Mar.  21.  1802. 

. . . Would  it  be  within  the  scope  of  mf  Bailey’s  plan  of  gardening 
for  the  common  market,  to  make  a provision  of  endive  for  the  ensuing 
winter,  so  as  to  be  able  to  furnish  Th:  J.  with  a sallad  of  endive  every 
day  through  the  winter  till  the  spring  sallading  should  commence,  for 
which  Th;  J.  would  send  once  a week,  and  preserve  the  week’s  provision 
here  by  setting  them  in  earth,  to  be  drawn  from  day  to  day  fresh.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers j M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Bartram,  Jr.) 

Washington  Apr.  5.  i8oa. 

I am  desired  on  the  part  of  the  Agricultural  society  of  Paris  to  put  the 
inclosed  list  of  seeds,  which  they  want,  into  the  hands  of  some  person 
who  can  be  relied  on  to  furnish  them  genuine  and  fresh.  I ask  this 
^vor  of  you.  they  would  wish  to  receive  them  in  autumn,  or  as  early 
in  die  next  winter  as  possible,  as  soon  therefore  as  the  season  has  ad- 
mitted the  whole  to  be  [secured}  or  as  many  as  can  be  got,  I will  thank 


280 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1802 

you  to  have  them  packed  in  a [strong]  box,  and  to  drop  a line  by  post  at 
this  place  informing  me  they  are  ready,  and  sending  me  your  bill. 
I will  immediately  have  that  paid,  and  direct  a person  to  call  on  you  & 
receive  the  box.  I will  thank  you  to  let  me  know  whether  you  receive 
this  letter  and  can  undertake  to  execute  it.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Bartram,  Jr.) 

Wash.  Dec.  2.  1802. 

I received  last  night  your  favor  of  the  26^  Nov,  infornning  me  that 
the  seeds  & plants  are  made  up  for  which  I had  written  to  you  some 
time  ago.  mf  William  Short  sets  out  from  this  place  tomorrow  for 
Philadelphia  & will  call  on  you,  receive  & pay  you  for  them,  to  him 
therefore  be  so  good  as  to  deliver  them,  & to  accept  assurances  of  my 
esteem  & best  wishes.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Bailey.) 

Washington  Dec.  9,  1802. 

A friend  of  mine  in  France  has  asked  me  to  procure  the  seeds  and 
plants  below  mentioned,  as  this  may  not  be  out  of  your  line,  and  the 
plants  abound  in  this  neighborhood,  I will  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  make 
the  collection,  and  pack  them  well  and  properly  for  the  sea,  labelling 
each  article  so  substantially  as  not  to  be  erased.  The  sooner  they  are 
ready  the  better,  should  you  not  have  the  convenience  of  having  the  boxes 
made,  and  will  send  me  a note  of  the  sizes,  they  shall  be  made  here.  . . . 

black  walnuts,  half  a bushel 
seeds  of  the  Poplar  half  a bushel 
Cedar  berries  i lb. 

acorns  of  every  kind,  half  a bushel  to  be  packed  in  dry  bran 

Sassafras  seed  i lb 

Swamp  laurel  i lb 

Dogwood  i lb 

white  ash  seed  i lb 

Catalpa  seed  ^ lb 

Wild  roses  of  every  kind,  i bushel  of  each 
12  plants  of  sassafras  1 

12  do,  of  swamp  laurel  V to  be  packed  in  moss  in  a box 
12  do.  of  Dogwood  J 

{Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri  Historical  Society:  89.) 

From  the  Account  Book  j^pi—1803: 

Apr.  a.  the  first  martin  appears. 

May  12,  note  we  had  cherries  ripe  May  9,  peas  the  12***.  strawberries 
the 

Nov.  15.  flower  pots  & trowel  1.36. 


i8o3 

1803/ 

Mar.  12.  the  well*  was  observed  about  a month  ago  to 
have  a plenty  of  water  in  it  after  having  been 
dry  about  18.  months. 

my  ice  house  * here  has  taken  62.  waggon  loads 
of  ice  to  fill  it,  have  i.  foot  thickness  of  shav- 
ings between  it  and  the  wall  all  around,  the 
whole  cost  including  labour,  feeding,  drink  etc. 
has  been  70.D. 

21.  peach  trees  begin  to  blossom. 

24.  a considerable  snow  on  the  blue  ridge 

25.  thermom.  at  sunrise  34°. 

28.  thermom.  at  sunrise  29°. 

^ 1803.  There  were  two  memorable  events  that  occurred 
during  Jefferson’s  third  year  as  President,  namely,  the  pur- 
chase of  Louisiana  from  France,  and  the  organization  of  the 
Lewis  and  Clark  Expedition  to  explore  the  Missouri  River  to 
its  source  and  to  open  a route  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Both 
were  to  have  profound  influence  on  the  future  development  of 
the  United  States. 

An  expedition  to  the  west  country  had  long  been  a dream 
of  Jefferson.  As  far  back  as  1792,  he  had  proposed  to  the 
American  Philosophical  Society  to  procure  such  an  exploration, 
with  funds  raised  by  subscription;  and  it  was  under  the 

281 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


a8a 


[1803 


auspices  of  this  Society,  and  under  instructions  prepared  by 
Jefferson,  that  Michaux,  the  celebrated  French  botanist  and 
traveler,  proceeded  on  his  exploration  westward,  until  re- 
called by  the  French  Minister.  (Randall,  Jefferson  3:  36.) 

Meriwether  Lewis,  Jefferson’s  private  secretary,  was  se- 
lected to  head  the  expedition.  He  was  to  be  accompanied  by 
William  Clark  and  about  ten  woodsmen.  Lewis’s  qualifica- 
tions were  set  forth  in  an  interesting  letter  to  Benjamin  Smith 
Barton,  whom  Jefferson  asked  to  inform  Mr.  Lewis  what 
natural  objects  he  should  especially  observe  on  the  expedition. 

Washington,  February  27,  1803. 

. . . You  know  we  have  been  many  years  wishing  to  have  the  Mis- 
souri explored,  and  whatever  river,  heading  with  that,  runs  into  the 
western  ocean.  Congress,  in  some  secret  proceedings,  have  yielded  to  a 
proposition  I made  them  for  permitting  me  to  have  it  done.  It  is  to  be 
undertaken  immediately,  wi^  a party  of  about  ten,  and  I have  ap- 
pointed Captain  Lewis,  my  Secretary,  to  conduct  it.  It  was  impossible 
to  find  a character  who,  to  a complete  science  in  Botany,  Natural  His- 
tory, Mineralogy  and  Astronomy,  joined  the  firmness  of  constitution 
and  character,  prudence,  habits  adapted  to  the  woods,  and  familiarity 
with  the  Indian  manners  and  character,  requisite  for  this  undertaking. 
All  the  latter  qualifications  Captain  Lewis  has.  Although  no  regular 
botanist,  etc.,  he  possesses  a remarkable  store  of  accurate  observation  on 
all  the  subjects  of  the  three  kingdoms,  and  will,  therefore,  readily  single 
out  whatever  presents  itself  new  to  him  in  either;  and  he  has  qualimd 
himself  for  taking  the  observations  of  longitude  and  latitude  necessary 
to  fix  the  geography  of  the  line  he  passes  through.  In  order  to  draw  his 
attention  at  once  to  the  objects  most  desirable,  I must  ask  the  favor  of 
you  to  prepare  for  him  a note  of  those  in  the  lines  of  botany,  zoology,  or 
of  Indian  history,  which  you  think  most  worthy  of  enquiry  and  observa- 
tion. He  will  be  with  you  in  Philadelphia  in  two  or  three  weeks,  and 
will  wait  on  you,  and  receive  thankfully  on  paper,  and  any  verbal  com- 
munications which  you  may  be  so  good  as  to  make  to  him.  I make  no 
apology  for  this  trouble,  because  I know  that  the  same  wish  to  promote 
science  which  has  induced  me  to  bring  forward  this  proposition,  will  in- 
duce you  to  aid  in  promoting  it.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson 
10:  366-368.) 

Jefferson  made  two  visits  to  Monticello  during  the  year. 
The  spring  vacation  lasted  from  March  7 to  April  3,  while  the 
late  summer  visit  extended  from  July  19  to  September  25. 

The  Garden  Book  has  fire  entries  made  during  his  spring 
vacation;  only  one,  howevet,  refers  to  the  garden.  In  the 


1803]  Jeffkrson’s  Garden  Book  283 

Account  Book  jyg  1—1803  jotted  down:  “Mar.  21.  p" 
Anthony  Giannini  for  plants  & trouble  2.  D.“  Jefferson’s 
note  is  vague. 

Work  on  the  house  progressed  slowly,  as  usual.  One  item 
in  the  same  Account  Book  reads:  “Sept.  22.  paid  Robert  Hope 
for  setting  up  columns.  20.  D.”  The  nailery,  which  was 
now  in  new  quarters,  made  unusually  high  sales  during  the 
year.  Another  item  in  the  Account  Book  says:  “Mar.  i.  the 
article  of  nails  has  been  extraordinary  this  year.” 

Jefferson  was  a passionate  lover  of  mockingbirds.  He 
bought  two  mockingbirds  and  two  cages  during  the  year  (Ac- 
count Book  ijgt—1803).  Mrs.  Samuel  Harrison  Smith,  a 
recorder  of  the  first  forty  years  of  Washington  society,  left  an 
interesting  picture  of  Jefferson’s  interest  in  these  birds. 

In  the  window  recesses  [in  his  apartment  in  the  White  House] , were 
stands  for  the  flowers  and  plants  which  it  was  his  delight  to  attend  and 
among  his  roses  and  geraniums  was  suspended  the  cage  of  his  favorite 
mocking-bird,  which  he  cherished  with  peculiar  fondness,  not  only  for 
its  melodious  powers,  but  for  its  uncommon  intelligence  and  affectionate 
disposition,  of  which  qualities  he  gave  surprising  instances.  It  was  the 
constant  companion  of  his  solitary  and  studious  hours.  Whenever  he 
was  alone  he  opened  the  cage  and  let  the  bird  fly  about  the  room.  After 
flitting  for  awhile  from  one  object  to  another,  it  would  alight  on  his 
table  and  regale  him  with  his  sweetest  notes,  or  perch  on  his  shoulder 
and  take  its  food  from  his  lips.  Often  when  he  retired  to  his  chamber 
it  would  hop  up  the  stairs  after  him  and  while  he  took  his  siesta,  would 
sit  on  his  couch  and  pour  forth  its  melodious  strains.  How  he  loved  this 
birdl  How  he  loved  his  flowers  1 He  could  not  live  without  some- 
thing to  love,  and  in  the  absence  of  his  darling  grandchildren,  his  birds 
and  his  flowers  became  objects  of  tender  care.  (Margaret  Bayard 
Smith,  The  First  Forty  Years  of  Washington  Society  (Gaillard  Hunt, 
ed.,  New  York,  igo6) : 385.  Hereafter  cited  as  Smith,  Washington.) 

No  entries  under  1803  appear  in  the  Farm  Book.  Letters 
on  agricultural  subjects  were  more  numerous  than  in  the  pre- 
ceding years.  They  show  a widening  interest. 

*The  well,  which  was  65  feet  deep,  was  dug  in  1769 
(JVeather  Memorandum  Book  1776—1820) . See  appendix  II. 

* The  icehouse  was  built  in  1802.  This  is  the  first  mention 
of  its  being  in  use.  From  the  Account  Book:  “Feb.  7,  in- 
closed, to  Gabriel  Lilly  for  waggonage  of  ice  30.  D.’’  (See 
letter,  Jefferson  to  Dinsmore,  March  19,  1802  (quoted  in  note 
1 for  that  year),  and  plate  XVIII.) 


284  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1803 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1803 

(William  Hamilton  to  Jefferson.) 

Jan.  16, 1803. 

The  Woodlands  [Philadelphia]. 

Mr.  Hamilton  presents  his  respectful  compliments  to  the  President, 
& with  great  pleasure  sends  him  a few  seeds  of  the  Mimosa  farnesiana, 
being  all  he  saved  during  the  last  year.  Lest  these  should  not  vegetate, 
Mr.  H.  will  as  soon  as  they  ripen,  forward  some  of  the  present  years 
growth  to  the  President,  who  will  confer  a favor  on  him,  in  naming  any 
seeds  or  plants  he  may  wish  to  have  from  the  Woodlands  collection. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  Noailles  de  Tesse.) 

Washington  Jan.  30.  1803. 

M'.  Short  delivered  me  your  favor  of  the  i**.  Prairial  an.  10.  and 
gave  me  the  welcome  news  of  your  good  health,  it  has  recalled  to  my 
mind  recollections  very  dear  to  it.  for  the  friendship  with  which  you 
honoured  me  in  Paris  was  among  the  circumstances  which  most  con* 
tributed  to  my  happiness  there.  When  I left  you  at  the  close  of  1790  I 
thought  your  situation  in  it's  best  possible  state,  at  the  end  of  1791 
I saw  it  was  passed,  and  in  the  course  of  1792.  that  all  was  desperate,  in 
the  gloomy  years  which  then  followed  my  anxieties  attended  my  friends 
personally,  and  particularly  yourself  of  whom  I could  seldom  hear, 
after  such  a shipwreck  it  is  fortunate  indeed  that  you  can  resume  the  in- 
terest you  take  in  planting  trees,  and  I shall  be  very  happy  in  con- 
tributing to  aliment  it.  to  this  however  my  present  situation  is  not 
favorable,  partly  from  constant  occupations  but  more  from  my  geographi- 
cal position,  not  a single  person  in  this  quarter  has  attended  to  botani- 
cal subjects  beyond  the  ordinary  produce  of  the  kitchen  garden : nor  are 
there,  scarcely  ever,  any  means  of  conveyance  from  thence  to  France. 
I have  therefore  selected  from  the  catalogue  you  put  into  mf  Short's 
hands  those  articles  only  which  the  fruits  of  this  neighborhood,  or  it’s 
gardens  can  furnish,  these  are 

Liriodendron  tuUpifera. 

Juglans  nigra. 

Juniperus  Vir^oiana. 

des  glands  de  plusieurs  especes. 

Laurus  Sassafras. 

Magnolia  glauca. 

Magnolia  tripetala  (Umbrella) 

Cornus  fiorida. 

fraxinus  alba,  doubtful  if  here 

Catalpa. 

these  within  my  power,  by  undertaking  more,  I might  have  prevented 


1803]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  285 

mf  Short’s  engaging  for  them  a more  certain  agent,  it  was  late  in  Sep- 
tember when  I received  the  catalogue.  I was  then  at  Monticello.  the 
Sassafras  had  already  lost  it’s  seeds,  and  those  of  the  others  were  in  a 
milky  unripe  state,  on  my  return  here  I engaged  an  old  Scotch  gardener 
of  the  neighborhood,  who  had  formerly  lived  some  years  in  my  family, 
to  undertake  this  collection,  he  called  on  me  a few  days  ago  and  in- 
formed me  that  the  means  for  collecting  some  of  the  articles  had  escaped 
him,  but  that  he  had  collected  a part  & would  bring  them  in  a few  days, 
my  difficulty  will  then  be  to  find  a conveyance;  but  no  exertions  will  be 
spared  to  overcome  this  so  that  they  may  reach  you  in  March,  they  will 
probably  be  addressed  to  mi  la  Motte,  Vice  Consul  of  the  U.S.  in 
Havre.  I will  continue  to  lay  my  shoulder  to  these  articles  annually  till 
you  are  fully  supplied  with  them. 

I own,  my  dear  Madame,  that  I cannot  but  admire  your  courage  in 
undertaking  now  to  plant  trees,  it  has  always  been  my  passion;  inso- 
much that  I rarely  ever  planted  a flower  in  my  life,  but  when  I re- 
turn to  live  at  Monticello,  which  may  be  in  1805.  but  will  be  in  1809. 
at  the  latest  (because  then,  at  any  rate,  I am  determined  to  draw  the 
curtain  between  the  political  world  and  myself.)  I believe  I shall  be- 
come a florist,  the  labours  of  the  year,  in  that  line,  are  repaid  within 
the  year,  and  death,  which  will  be  at  my  door,  shall  find  me  unembar- 
rassed in  long  lived  undertakings,  but  I acknolege  there  is  more  of  the 
disinterested  & magnanimous  in  your  purpose. 

This  goes  by  mr.  Monroe,  my  close,  my  best  friend,  & the  honestest 
man  on  earth,  lately  governor  of  Virginia,  and  now  charged  with  a spe- 
cial mission  to  the  governments  of  France  and  Spain,  he  will  be  the 
safest  channel  through  which  you  can  convey  me  any  further  orders,  be 
so  good  as  to  present  my  respectful  attachment  to  M.  de  Tesse,  and  ac- 
cept yourself  assurances  of  my  constant  & affectionate  friendship  Sc  high 
consideration.  {Jefferson  Papers^  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Rush.) 

Washington,  Feb.  28,  1803. 

...  I wish  to  mention  to  you,  in  confidence  that  I have  obtained  au- 
thority from  Congress  to  undertake  the  long  desired  object  of  exploring 
the  Missouri  & whatever  river,  heading  with  that,  leads  into  the  western 
ocean.  About  10.  chosen  woodsmen  headed  by  Capt.  Lewis  my  secre- 
tary will  set  out  on  it  immediately  & probably  accomplish  it  in  two 
seasons.  Capt.  Lewis  is  brave,  prudent,  habituated  to  the  woods,  & fa- 
miliar with  Indian  manners  and  character.  He  is  not  regularly  edu- 
cated, but  he  possesses  a great  mass  of  accurate  observation  on  all  the 
subjects  of  nature  which  present  themselves  here,  & will  therefore 
readily  select  those  only  in  his  new  route  which  shall  be  new.  He  has 
qualified  himself  for  those  observations  of  longitude  & latitude  necessary 
to  fix  the  points  of  the  line  he  will  go  over.  It  would  be  very  useful  to 
state  for  him  those  objects  on  which  it  is  most  desirable  he  should  bring 
us  information.  For  this  purpose  I ask  the  favor  of  you  to  prepare  some 
notes  of  such  particulars  as  may  occur  in  his  journey  & which  you  think 


a86 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1803 

should  draw  his  attention  and  enquiry.  He  will  be  in  Philadelphia 
about  a.  or  3.  weeks  hence  Sc  will  wait  on  you.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson 
9:  45a-4530 

(Jefferson  to  George  Jefferson.) 

Washington  April  24.  1803. 

Will  you  be  so  good  as  to  procure  from  old  mf  Collins  or  any  other 
faithful  seedsman  1.  gallon  of  earliest  Frame  peas  and  2.  gallons  of 
Dwarf  Marrowfats  and  send  them  addressed  to  Gabriel  Lilly  at  Monti- 
cello.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  W.  Eppes.) 

Washington  June  19.  1803. 

...  I have  examined  your  Hessian  flies  & And  them  very  genuine  on 
which  I condole  with  you.  ...  the  advantageous  remedy  is  to  sow  no 
more  wheat  grounds  than  can  be  well  manured  & sowing  the  yellow 
bearded  wheat,  the  surplus  grounds  put  into  rye  and  clover,  they  at- 
tack barley  more  readily  than  wheat,  when  they  drive  us  to  this,  they 
are  a great  blessing.  ...  I enclose  you  one  of  Binns’s  pamphlets  on 
the  use  of  plaister.  it  is  bunglingly  composed,  but  it  is  generally  said 
his  facta  may  be  relied  on.  the  important  one  is  that  from  being  poor  he 
is  become  rich  by  it.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  Sir  John  Sinclair.) 

Washington,  June  30,  X803. 

It  is  so  long  smce  I have  had  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  you,  that  it 
would  be  vain  to  look  back  to  dates  to  connect  the  old  and  the  new. 
Yet  I ought  not  to  pass  over  my  acknowledgments  to  you  for  various 
publications  received  from  time  to  time,  and  with  great  satisfaction  and 
thankfulness.  I send  you  a small  one  in  return,  the  work  of  a very  un- 
lettered farmer,  yet  v^uable,  as  it  relates  plain  facts  of  importance  to 
farmers.  You  will  discover  that  Mr.  Binns  is  an  enthusiast  for  the  use 
of  gypsum.  But  there  are  two  facts  which  prove  he  has  a right  to  be  so : 
I.  He  began  poor,  and  has  made  himself  tolerably  rich  by  his  farming 
alone.  2.  The  county  of  Loudon,  in  which  he  lives,  had  been  so  ex- 
hausted and  wasted  by  bad  husbandry,  that  it  began  to  depopulate,  the 
inhabitants  going  southwardly  in  quest  of  better  lands.  Binns’  success 
has  stopped  that  emigration.  It  is  now  becoming  one  of  the  most  pro- 
ductive counties  of  Ae  State  of  Virginia,  and  me  price  given  for  the 
lands  is  multiplied  manifold.  . . . 

I hope  your  agricultural  institution  goes  on  with  success.  I consider 
you  as  the  author  of  all  the  good  it  shall  do.  A better  idea  has  never 
been  carried  into  practice.  agricultural  society  has  at  length 
formed  itself.  Like  our  American  Philosophical  Society,  it  is  volun- 
tary, and  unconnected  with  the  public,  and  is  precisely  an  execution  of 
the  plan  I formerly  sketched  to  you.  Some  State  societies  have  been 
formed  heretofore;  the  others  will  do  the  same.  Each  State  society 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


287 


1803] 


names  two  of  its  members  of  Congress  to  be  their  members  in  the  Cen- 
tral society,  which  is  of  course  together  during  the  sessions  of  Congress. 
They  are  to  select  matter  from  the  proceedings  of  the  State  societies, 
and  to  publish  it;  so  that  their  publications  may  be  called  V esprit  des 
societes  agriculture,  etc.  The  Central  society  was  formed  the  last 
winter  only,  so  that  it  will  be  some  time  before  they  get  under  way. 
Mr.  Madison,  the  Secretary  of  State,  was  elected  their  President.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  10:  396-398.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Bailey.) 

Washington  Oct.  JO.  ’03. 

I received  lately  from  France  a few  grains  of  a wheat  with  a solid 
stem,  as  from  this  circumstance  it  will  probably  be  proof  against  the 
Hessian  fly,  I am  dividing  it  among  those  who  I think  will  take  care  of 
it.  1 send  you  a few  seeds,  as  also  some  seed  of  a cabbage  said  to  grow 
7.  feet  high,  to  put  on  several  heads  & reproduce  them  when  cut  off. 
this  seems  wonderful,  but  is  worth  seeing  into.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Bailey.) 

Washington  Oct.  19.  1803. 

A gentleman  here  has  given  me  40.  Balsam  poplars  to  send  to  Monti- 
cello,  and  mr  Randolph’s  servant,  who  was  to  have  returned  tomorrow 
will  be  detained  till  the  next  day,  to  carry  them,  as  I set  much  store 
by  these  trees  which  I have  been  a long  time  trying  to  get  to  Monticello, 

I wish  them  to  be  carefully  taken  up  & packed  in  bundles  for  safe  trans- 
portation. if  it  wotild  suit  you  to  come  tomorrow  morning  & take  them 
up  & bundle  them  properly  for  the  journey,  it  would  oblige  me,  besides 
satisfactory  compensation.  I shall  also  be  glad  to  receive  the  box  for 
France,  as  the  vessel  will  sail  in  a week.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mde.  Noailles  de  Tesse.) 

Washington  Oct.  31,  1803. 

In  my  letter  of  Jan.  30, 1 informed  you  that  the  person  whom  I had 
employ^  in  this  neighborhood  had  provided  such  seeds  of  the  list  therein 
stated  to  you,  as  the  lateness  of  the  season  had  permitted.  I had  the 
mortification  to  see  them  remain  here  till  summer  without  any  oppor- 
tunity occurring  to  forward  them,  our  only  commercial  port  is  Alex- 
andria, five  miles  distant,  by  casting  your  eye  on  a map  you  will  per- 
ceive that  to  send  a package  from  thence  to  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  or 
New  York  to  be  reshipped  to  France,  is  as  difficult  as  to  send  one  from 
Havre  to  Marseilles  for  America,  it  would  add  much  to  the  risk  of 
miscarriage  & more  to  the  delay,  which  in  the  case  of  plants  is  fatal.  It 
remains  therefore  drat  we  depend  soldy  on  Alexandria,  which  has  not  a 
great  intercourse  with  France.  It  happens  fortunately  at  this  moment 


288 


Jbffbrson’s  Garden  Book 


[1803 

that  we  are  sending  a ship  on  public  account  to  the  Mediterranean,  but 
to  touch  at  Lorient  on  her  way.  I have  therefore  required  the  gardener 
employed  to  make  up  his  box  of  plants  and  seeds,  which  he  has  accord- 
ingly done;  Sc  delivered  them  to  me.  they  will  be  put  on  board  to- 
morrow, addressed  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Aaron  Vale,  Consul  of  the  U.  S. 
at  Lorient,  with  directions  to  find  the  cheapest  mode  of  conveying  them 
to  you ; the  box  being  very  heavy,  it's  bulk  is  about  13  cubical  feet,  per- 
haps you  can  advise  him  the  best  method  of  sending  it.  I did  not  open 
it  to  see  how  it  was  packed,  but  the  following  is  the  list  furnished  by  the 
gardener. 

Plants  No.  I Magnolia  glauca 

2 Laurus  Sassafras 

3 Cornus  florida 

Seeds  No.  1 Wild  roses  of  various  kinds. 

2 Quercus  alba 

3 Quercus  prinus,  2 kinds,  castaneae  foliis, 

called  Chestnut  oak. 

4 Quercus  Hispanica.  a variety  of  the  Rubra 

5 Qu'ercus  Rubra 

No.  6 acorns  of  the  Box  oak.  I do  not  know  this. 

7 Liriodendron 

8 Juglans  nigra 

Magnolia  glauca  the  names  of  these  are 
Laurus  Sassafras  , written  on  the  bags 
Cornus  florida  _ 

Juniperus  Virginiana 

I am  sorry  to  find  he  has  not  put  up  any  acorns  of  the  Quercus  Phellos 
(live  oak)  which  abound  here  more  than  anywhere,  nor  the  seeds  of  the 
Catalpa,  which  1 presume  is  to  be  found  in  the  gardens  here,  as  the  ship 
is  not  yet  gone,  perhaps  I may  be  able  to  get  them  all.  I will  take  care 
to  renew  this  supply  annually  tiU  you  are  sufficiently  furnished  with  the 
articles  composing  it.  I undertake  it  with  the  more  satisfaction  because 
it  is  within  the  limits  of  those  attentions  I may  justifiably  spare  for  it. 
They  will  sometimes  fail  for  want  of  a conveyance  from  Alexandria 
to  Havre,  the  only  port  1 would  have  ventured  to  send  to,  had  not  the 
advantages  of  the  present  conveyance  overbalanced  the  inconvenient  dis- 
tance of  Lorient  from  Paris,  perhaps  our  Vale  will  be  able  to  send  the 
box  round  to  Havre  & up  the  Seine,  for  which  he  will  have  plenty  of 
time. 

Altho’  the  times  are  big  with  political  events,  yet  I shall  say  nothing  on 
that  or  any  subject  but  the  innocent  ones  of  botany  Sc  friendship.  I shall 
be  much  gratified  if  I am  able  to  contribute  anything  to  your  botanical 
pleasures  & emploiments.  I feel  their  importance  to  you  the  more,  as 
they  are  congenial  to  my  own  mind,  permit  me  to  place  here  my 
friendly  respects  to  M.  de  Tesse  and  M.  & Mde.  de  la  Fayette,  and  to 
assure  yourself  of  my  constant  & affectionate  esteem  and  respect. 
{Glimpses  of  the  Pastj,  Missouri  Historical  Society:  91-^2.) 


about  dozen  of  plants 
of  each  of  these 


Jbfferson’s  Garden-  Book 


289 


1803] 

(Jefferson  to  Aaron  Vale.) 

Washington  Nov.  4,  03. 

The  schooner  Citizen,  Capt.  Lawson,  being  employed  by  our  govern- 
ment  to  carry  some  gun  carriages  to  the  Emperor  of  Morocco,  and  to 
touch  at  Lorient  in  going,  in  order  to  deliver  there  the  ratification  of 
our  late  treaty  -with  France,  I take  the  benefit  of  your  cover  for  a letter 
to  Mr.  Livingston,  our  Minister  Plenipotentiary,  accompanied  by  a small 
box  of  about  8 or  9 inches  cube  addressed  to  him;  which  I will  pray  you 
to  put  into  the  care  of  the  French  gentleman  whom  Mr.  Pichon  has  en- 
trusted with  the  ratification,  if  he  can  conveniently  take  charge  of  it,  or 
otherwise  to  send  it  by  the  Diligence  or  such  other  conveyance  as  will 
be  safe  and  not  too  costly  for  the  value  of  the  box  which  is  but  small. 
I avail  myself  of  the  same  occasion  to  send  a box  of  plants  to  my  friend, 
Madame  de  Tesse  (aunt  of  Marquis  de  la  Fayette)  at  Paris,  this  is 
about  three  quarters  of  a ton  in  bulk  (say  15  cubic  feet)  and  is  heavy; 
consequently  requires  the  cheapest  transportation  possible  to  avoid  its 
becoming  a very  burthensome  present,  if  the  state  of  the  war  will  per- 
mit its  going  round  by  sea  to  Havre,  & up  the  Seine  to  Paris,  that  is  the 
best  conveyance,  but  if  that  is  blockaded,  I must  leave  to  you  to  choose 
the  cheapest  mode  of  conveyance  to  be  depended  on.  if  you  could  take 
the  trouble  to  drop  a line  to  Madame  de  Tesse  (to  the  care  of  Mr. 
Livingston)  suggesting  to  her  the  practicable  modes  of  conveyance,  she 
would  probably  say  which  she  would  prefer,  but  if  they  can  go  to  Havre, 
that  is  so  obviously  the  best,  that  she  need  only  be  informed  you  have 
sent  them  by  that  route.  I pray  you  to  excuse  the  trouble  I give  you, 
which  is  occasioned  by  the  accident  of  the  ship’s  touching  at  your  port ! 
& to  accept  my  salutations  & good  wishes.  {Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Mis- 
souri Historical  Society:  92-93.) 

(Jefferson  to  David  Williams.) 

Washington,  November  14,  1803. 

. . . The  class  principally  defective  is  that  of  agriculture.  It  is  the 
first  in  utility,  and  ought  to  be  the  first  in  respect.  The  same  artificial 
means  which  have  been  used  to  produce  a competition  in  learning,  may 
be  equally  successful  in  restoring  agriculture  to  its  primary  dignity  in 
the  eyes  of  men.  It  is  a science  of  the  very  first  order.  It  counts 
among  its  handmaids  the  most  respectable  sciences,  such  as  Chemistry, 
Natural  Philosophy,  Mechanics,  Mathematics  generally.  Natural  His- 
tory, Botany.  In  every  College  and  University,  a professorship  of  agri- 
culture, and  the  class  of  its  students,  might  be  honored  as  the  first. 
Young  men  closing  their  academical  education  with  this,  as  the  crown 
of  all  other  sciences,  fascinated  with  its  solid  charms,  and  at  a time  when 
they  are  to  choose  an  occupation,  instead  of  crowding  the  other  classes, 
would  return  to  the  farms  of  their  fathers,  their  own,  or  those  of  others, 
and  replenish  and  invigorate  a calling,  now  languishing  under  contempt 
and  oppression.  The  charitable  schools,  instead  of  storing  their  pupils 
with  a lore  which  the  present  state  of  society  does  not  call  for,  con- 


290  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1803 

verted  into  schools  of  agriculture,  might  restore  them  to  that  branch 
qualified  to  enrich  and  honor  themselves,  and  to  increase  the  productions 
of  the  nation  instead  of  consuming  them.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh, 
Jefferson  10:  439^430. ) 

(Jefferson  to  Governor  John  Milledge.) 

Washington  Nov.  22.  1803. 

...  I thank  you  for  the  seeds  & stones  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to 
send  me.  I hope  Congress  will  rise  early  enough  to  let  me  pass  the 
month  of  March  at  home  to  superintend  the  planting  them  and  some 
other  things  which  may  be  growing  & preparing  enjoiment  for  me  there 
when  I retire  from  hence.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

From  the  Account  Book  I'jgi^iSos: 

May  31.  gave  Joseph  Dougherty  ord.  on  J.  Barnes  for  10.  D to  buy 
a mock^  bird  & cage. 

Sept.  21.  paid  Bezey  in  full  33.  D.  for  gardening. 

Oct  21.  gave  Davy  Bowles  to  take  care  of  trees,  a.  D. 

Nov.  17.  p**  Steele  for  a mocking  bird  15.  D. 

Dec.  8.  Bryan  15.  D.  for  a bird-cage. 


i8o4 

1804.* 

Apr,  6.  sowed  seeds  of  the  East  India  Asparagus  in  a 
small  bed  at  the  point  of  levelled  triangle  S.W. 
end  of  the  garden.® 

10.  planted  in  the  orchard  below  the  garden  black 
soft  peaches  of  Georgia  from  W.  Men* 

12.  planted  40.  odd  Hemlock  * & Weymouth  pines  * 
near  the  Aspen  thicket. 

29.  planted  seeds  of  the  Cherokee  rose  * from  Gov'. 
Milledge  ® in  a row  of  about  6.f.  near  the  N.E. 
corner  of  the  Nursery.  Goliah  * stuck  sticks  to 
mark  the  place. 

this  has  been  a remarkeably  backward  spring, 
we  have  had  fires  steadily  thro’  the  whole 
month. 

Apr.  22.  a great  fresh  in  the  Rivanna  this  day.  it  was 
above  the  top  of  the  hopper  in  my  toll  mill.® 
by  marks  at  Henderson’s  distillery®®  in  Mil- 
ton  ®®  it  wanted  6.  feet  of  being  as  high  as  that 
in  179s  “ which  wanted  but  3.!.  of  being  as 
high  as  the  great  fresh  on  the  26“.  of  May 
1771.®® 

® 1804.,  Jefferson  was  reelected  President  in  November  by 
a tremendous  majority.  His  first  term  ended  on  March  4 of 
the  following  year. 

291 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


292 


[1804 


The  Lewis  and  Clark  Expedition,  organized  the  previous 
year,  finally  reached  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  and  on  May 
14  began  to  travel  up  the  Missouri  River.  Some  of  the  seeds 
and  plants  collected  by  this  expedition  were  later  to  find  a place 
in  Jefferson’s  gardens.  Others  were  sent  to  interested  gar- 
deners and  seedsmen  in  other  parts  of  the  country. 

Jefferson  suffered  another  of  the  tragic  losses  of  his  life 
when  his  daughter,  Maria  Eppes,  died  on  April  17.  Since 
she  had  given  birth  to  a daughter  a short  time  before,  she  was 
survived  by  two  children.  The  son,  Francis,  grew  to  man- 
hood; the  daughter  died  in  infancy.  An  extract  from  a letter 
written  to  his  old  friend,  John  Page,  then  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, shows  how  poignantly  Jefferson  suffered  over  this  loss. 

Your  letter,  my  dear  friend,  of  the  35th  ultimo,  is  a new  proof  of  the 
goodness  of  your  heart,  and  the  part  you  take  in  my  loss  marks  an  affec- 
tionate concern  for  the  greatness  of  it.  It  is  great  indeed.  Others  may 
lose  of  their  abundance,  but  I,  of  my  want,  have  lost  even  the  half  of  all 
I had.  My  evening  prospects  now  hang  on  the  slender  thread  of  a 
single  life.  Perhaps  I may  be  destined  to  see  even  this  last  cord  of 
parental  affection  broken  I The  hope  with  which  I had  looked  forward 
to  the  moment,  when,  resigning  public  cares  to  younger  hands,  I was  to 
retire  to  that  domestic  comfort  from  which  the  last  great  step  is  taken, 
is  fearfully  blighted.  (Randall,  Jefferson  3:  103.) 

Jefferson  made  his  usual  spring  and  late  summer  visits  to 
Monticello.  The  first  one  lasted  from  April  4 to  May  11; 
the  second  from  July  26  to  September  27.  .Entries  in  the 
Garden  Book  indicate  that  much  planting  was  done  during  the 
spring  visit.  One  planting  of  special  interest  was  the  forty 
hemlocks  and  white  pines  placed  near  the  aspen  thicket.  No 
record  has  been  found  to  show  what  work  was  undertaken  in 
the  garden  during  the  summer  visit. 

About  1804  Jefferson  again  made  elaborate  plans  for  im- 
proving the  grounds  of  Monticello.  These  plans  he  put  down 
in  a note  book,  which  consisted  of  three  folded  sheets  and  one 
half-sheet  laid  in  the  center.  (See  Fiske  Kimball,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  Architect  (Boston,  1916):  168.)  Two  of  these 
sheets  are  reproduced  under  the  titles  of  “General  Ideas  for 
Improvement  of  Monticello,”  and  “Garden  or  Pleasure 
Ground”  (pis.  XIX,  XX). 

There  is  no  indication  that  the  fruit  trees  sent  by  John  Arm- 
strong, of  Cincinnati,  and  mentioned  in  his  letter  of  February 


I i*i%t.4tfrr.  y ^ ^ ^Ufivit ^0r  , fY  ctj^r-  (it 

AutfvrwV  /fUry*  3 y iZf/k,ti^  f/kj^t-  /If ft  «>vn»«HL  iKiw*  * DjJI 
{/t/uJYt  & fi  sy  <«^  //t  /w? k/TM/f^  ij  j/ 

^ /^  *lr\^«W  4*^  ^iYAAt^  (*■ 

te / t*  dl  ■/  . ^ 

(fr  •*-<  ^^4 

V'Mdi  £~t  A-r,^  ^ ^ /■<*^  '/M^,^! 
t^r^yLuY  tro^  ^bviunww) 

tHU^  t^  dA  La  ^llM-t  y /t*.  ILffltAAYIrdYhYYl. ^ V*^ 

K-^  ^ Y/hY^  (LyyL  /tuYy  ■ynjfcy  C^ltf<YY  /Cd,  fyind‘9^  /JIy/^  d»(a%< 

jkdYad. 

J^C-j  C-*.  e^btrtrfYf,  ^ /AA^^ad.^  M ayt-aa^ 

oMA^o’/  y*  / y~^  ‘ ^ eCuAYfY*  ^ Ya-i*a, 

^tCxadCi ^ /Ufdict*  t-adfiAutA^,  UtAddma  /^Addarawt*^ 

yKAfi^fiY^  fdAA-tA.^  ^txttiiA.,  ^fin-fd,  U**.tJl*jiddwJi,  cywA 

fntnM~nn\^  AaJ&A*^/  fUJimirtjedA,  , 


ft^  fc»*Y  ftA^4^  V*4^  ^ ^ 

»i7k?^  fAa-fXt  1^  /JU  <i<W«>i-  1/  ifyAS0^^  2^ 

. r^  Ldt-pLtt  ^ /yyyH^  ^^k'AAT 

Hd/A  UjLna^  J/ia-u.  Ha  fVl/^  ^ lAwUd  tt- 

^ tnYm.  ap^  ^AptoA-X  C^l  fi<  <f]i/v*t4^ 

^^u  ti  tt**Yj  CArJoyalLiiYf  yh^tiA  *r>AAf  ^ ' 

iMJ-ia  /-^*»Wjt«.  fLdH»y*f*Ya  fLyar^  AmJa^ 


PiATB  XIX.-Jefferjon*i  plan*  for  a garden  or  pleaaure  grounda,  about  1804. 
See  plate  XXI.  Utfttfon  Paftrs,  M.  H.  S.) 


y 'CrfS*fi«-ifct*<.‘/.<»^  .-  1-,*'.-^  fjg 


(8o/*1^^  S“|:^‘  hnprovment  of  J/««/«Z?o.  ,bo„t 


A.  A^fAa,'  Ul>44*xJ^  f1^  fy^ 

. J'ir  f'lrr-  t/i^  f^elrurr*x^  /Lc  9rv^^,^  V^ ' 

^ OA-?  fXju  tjst^  t/li^  4* 

' 66f*.^tm  j6Jl^^»^,  ^ ' 

^-<v\,1.  tj  f 'ljt.  SJ^.  <*t'*'-r' 

’ M<-  ^ t.'^'-VX  ^ ' 

’ M*.  u^  *^-l-^  ^rfT.j.<or  ■yHb<,'wilt-i.rtj^‘‘>"&  ll*-  ^XuJ?  ^ 

fc-n  ^£L*SA.:#  ■f~i^<X^,  ftCc  ^ Cl^  C& 

i-o^'  /2i  mirun^*^- , . . 


r*’  iA*<wnl«^»  P».9i,}iJ^ytvflj^'^i3(^"ft^'lj(^^  , 

' fKnrOTxZ^  _A.;£/;V^^*  ^■'  ' /'■  <'>  ':>-'  'i’'’'r  ' • ";’^'’|y  ')  '.i/J^V;' 


1804] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


293 


20  to  Jefferson,  were  planted.  But,  as  has  been  seen  before, 
there  are  many  gaps  of  this  kind.  There  were  no  entries  in 
the  Farm  Book  for  the  year. 

* Jefferson  began  this  year  to  re-level  the  garden,  which  had 
been  laid  out  on  March  31,  1774.  The  work  was  not  com- 
pleted until  after  he  retired  in  1809.  (See  letter,  Jefferson  to 
John  W.  Eppes,  June  4,  1804;  and  Garden  Book,  March  31, 

1774.)  ^ 

® William  Douglass  Meriwether  lived  at  Clover  Fields  on 
the  east  side  of  the  South  West  Mountain,  Albemarle  County. 
He  was  a man  of  fine  sense  and  great  wealth.  He  was  a 
magistrate  of  the  county  for  50  years,  and  the  only  one  of  the 
whole  body  of  magistrates  that  filled  the  office  of  sheriff  twice, 
in  1801  and  1828.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Nicholas  Lewis,  and  through  her  he  inherited  the  part  of  the 
Farm  nearest  Charlottesville,  which  in  1825  he  sold  to  John 
A.  G.  Davis,  who  built  on  it  the  brick  house  now  standing. 
He  died  in  1845.  (See  Woods,  Albemarle  County:  272.) 

* Tsuga  canadensis  Carr. 

“ Pinus  strobus  L.  More  commonly  called  white  pine. 
The  late  Dr.  Rodney  H.  True,  in  his  “Thomas  Jefferson’s 
Garden  Book”  {Proc.  Am.  Philos.  Soc.  76:  944,  1936), 
wrote:  “I  know  of  no  earlier  planting  of  a nursery  of  forest 
trees  in  this  country  than  that  of  Jefferson  on  April  12,  1804, 
when  he  planted  hemlock  and  white  pine  ‘near  the  aspen 
thicket’.” 

* Rosa  laevigata  Michx. 

^ John  Milledge  (1757  - February  9,  1818).  Revolution- 
ary patriot.  Governor  of  Georgia,  representative,  senator,  was 
associated  with  most  of  the  noteworthy  events  in  his  state 
from  the  Revolutionary  War  to  the  War  of  1812,  but  is  re- 
membered today  chiefly  because  of  his  connection  with  the 
University  of  Georgia.  {Diet.  Am.  Biog.  12:  617— 6x8.) 

* Goliah,  slave  and  gardener  of  Jefferson  at  Monticello. 

® This  toll  mill,  on  the  Rivanna  River,  at  Shadwell,  was  left 
to  Jefferson  by  his  father,  Peter  Jefferson.  He  was  now  en- 
gaged in  building  another  mill,  which  cost  him  over  $30,000. 
This  mill  became  a constant  source  of  worry  to  him. 

Probably  the  mill  owned  by  the  family  of  Bennett  Hen- 
derson. He  had  been  a magistrate  of  the  county,  and  had 


294 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1804 

erected  a large  flouring  mill  and  a tobacco  warehouse.  He 
died  in  1793,  and  eventually  (in  1811)  his  land  came  into 
Jefferson’s  hands.  (Woods,  Albemarle  County:  227-228.) 

“ Milton,  Albemarle  County.  This  town  dates  from  1789. 
Up  to  the  War  of  1812  it  was  the  chief  commercial  center  of 
the  county.  Being  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Rivanna, 
it  became  an  important  shippmg  port.  Its  business  gradually 
declined  as  Charlottesville  grew,  and  it  quietly  subsided  into  a 
straggling  hamlet. 

“ Jefferson  did  not  record  a freshet  in  the  Rivanna  for  1795. 
(See  his  “Diary  for  1795.”) 

“ See  entry  in  Garden  Book  for  May  26,  1771. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1804 

(Jefferson  to  Timothy  Bloodworth.) 

Washington,  January  29,  1804. 

I thank  you  for  the  seed  of  the  fly  trap.  It  is  the  first  I have  ever 
been  able  to  obtain,  and  shall  take  great  care  of  it.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  10:  443.) 

(Jefferson  to  Maria  (Jefferson)  Eppes.) 

Washington,  Jan.  29,  1804. 

. . . Since  proposing  to  Anne  the  undertaking  to  raise  bantams,  I 
have  received  from  Algiers  two  pair  of  beautiful  fowls,  something  larger 
than  our  common  fowls,  with  fine  aigrettes.  They  are  not  so  large  nor 
valuable  as  the  East  India  fowl,  but  both  kinds,  as  well  as  the  bantams, 
are  well  worthy  of  being  raised.  We  must,  therefore,  distribute  them 
among  us,  and  raise  them  clear  of  mixture  of  any  kind.  All  this  we  will 
settle  together,  in  March,  and  soon  after  we  will  begin  the  levelling  and 
establishment  of  your  hen-house  at  Pan  tops.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson 
3:97-98.) 

(John  Armstrong  to  Jefferson.) 

Cincinnati  February  20^”,  1804. 

Captain  Lewis  on  his  way  to  the  Westward  called  on  me  and  re- 
quested that  1 would  at  the  proper  season  furnish  you  with  some  cuttings 
from  ray  Nursery,  which  you  will  receive  herewith,  N*.  i.  2.  3.  & 4 
were  sent  me  from  Detroit  two  years  since.  N*.  5 & 6 are  from  bear- 
ing trees  in  my  orchard. 

N*.  I Large  White  apple — ^tied  with  a white  string 

N”.  2 Large  Red  apple  tied  with  a red  string 


1804]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  295 

N**.  3 Pumgray  an  apple  much  admired  and  will  keep  the  year 
round  tied  with  a blue  string 

N®.  4 Calvjt  apple  which  is  without  comparison  the  best  apple  that 
ever  was  Eaten — tied  with  a green  string 

N®.  S Ox  Eye  Striped  Apple  ripe  in  the  fall,  highly  flavoured  weighs 
from  16  to  30  Oz — ^tied  with  a yellow  string 

N®.  6 Egg  Plumb  as  large  as  a hens  egg  light  colourd  rich  & Sweet 
with  a small  stone,  will  succeed  by  Engrafting  on  a Damson, 
Wild  Plumb  or  Peach  Stock,  I generally  cut  my  cions  at  this 
Season  of  the  year,  and  place  one  end  of  the  cuttings  about 
two  inches  in  the  ground  in  a perpendicular  position  and  there 
let  them  remain  until  the  proper  season  for  placing  them  into 
the  stock — I practice  Tonge  Grafting,  and  seldom  lose  five 
trees  out  of  one  thousand,  have  had  trees  to  bear  the  second 
year  after  ingrafting  them. 

It  would  oblige  me  if  thro  some  of  your  friends  I could  obtain  a few 
cuttings  of  the  Virginia  Cyder  apple.  Generally  called  Hughes  Crab, 
with  a description  of  the  fruit.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers ^ M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Maria  (Jefferson)  Eppes.) 

Washington,  Feb.  26,  1804. 

...  Will  you  desire  your  sister  to  send  for  Mr.  Lilly,  and  to  advise 
him  what  orders  to  give  Goliah  for  providing  those  vegetables  which 
may  come  into  use  for  the  months  of  April,  August,  and  September — 
deliver  her  also  my  affectionate  love.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  3:  98.) 

(Jefferson  to  Gibson  & Jefferson.) 

Monticello  Mar.  13.  04. 

[He  wrote  to  his  agents,  Gibson  & Jefferson,  in  Richmond,  to  secure 
from  Mr.  Collins,  a seedsman  there,  the  following  seeds:] 

3.  gallons  of  dwarf  marrow  fat  peas,  if  he  has  none  of  these  send  the 

best  he  has  for  common  sowing. 

3.  oz.  radish  seed,  scarlet  preferred. 

3.  oz.  lettuce  seed.  The  Roman  preferred. 

I.  oz.  Endive  seed  (not  the  curled) 

(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  W.  Eppes.) 

Washington,  March  15,  1804. 

...  I will  endeavor  to  forward  to  Mr.  Benson,  postmaster  at  Fred- 
ericksburg, a small  parcel  of  the  oats  for  you.  The  only  difficulty  is  to 
find  some  gentleman  going  on  in  the  stage  who  will  take  charge  of  them 
by  the  way.  . , . (Randdl,  Jefferson  3:  99,) 


2^6 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1804 


(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan.) 

Washington  Mar.  22.  1804. 

You  remember  how  anxious  I was,  when  with  you  at  Marseilles,  to 
get  the  admirable  olive  of  your  canton  transferred  to  my  own  country, 
and  how  much  trouble  you  were  so  kind  as  to  take  to  effect  it.  it  did 
not  happen  that  any  one  of  those  among  whom  the  plants  were  dis- 
tributed took  up  the  plan  with  the  enthusiasm  necessary  to  give  it  suc- 
cess, and  it  has  failed,  mf  John  Cowper  of  St.  Simon’s  island  in 
Georgia  now  proposes  to  undertake  it,  & being  led  to  it  by  inclination, 
and  a gentleman  of  property,  in  the  most  favorable  situation,  he  will 
give  the  culture  a fair  trial,  and  I trust  it’s  favorable  issue  is  -beyond  a 
doubt,  he  has  been  informed  of  the  superior  excellence  of  the  olive  of 
Marseilles,  and  knowing  your  friendly  dispositions  to  our  country  I have 
taken  the  liberty  of  advising  him  to  address  himself  to  you  to  put  his 
commission  into  faithful  & careful  hands.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers jL.C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Kichard  Gamble.) 

Heads  of  a lease  to  Richard  Gamble 


Apr.  22.  04. 


S.  fields  North  of  the  road,  of  40  acres  each,  to  wit  4.  on  the  Shad- 
well  tract  now  leased  to  J.  Ferry,  and  one  on  the  Lego  tract,  adjoining 
to  the  Upper  Held  of  Shadwell,  including  the  ground  already  open  there 
& about  Reynolds’s  house,  & as  much  more  to  be  opened  adjacent  as  will 
make  up  40.  acres. 

the  lease  to  commence  Oct.  15.  1804.  (being  John  Perry’s  yearly  day) 
and  to  continue  5.  years. 

each  of  the  said  5.  fields  to  be  in  Indian  corn  but  once  in  the  5.  years, 
& to  rest  from  culture  & pasture  2.  of  the  5.  years  unless  it  be  well  in 
clover,  and  neither  of  the  years  of  rest  to  be  next  after  a year  of  Indian 
corn,  the  tenant  to  have  free  use  of  the  woodlands  North  of  the  road 
for  fire,  fencing  & repairs,  and  of  all  the  uninclosed  Woodlands  for  the 
range  of  stock. 

to  keep  all  houses  built  or  to  be  built  in  repair,  except  against  the 
gradual  decays  of  time;  and  to  keep  fences  & gates  in  constant  repair. 

the  lease  not  to  be  assigned  to  any  person  to  whom  the  landlord 
objects. 

the  rent  200.  D.  a year,  payable  at  the  end  of  the  year  towit  Oct.  15. 
and  if  not  paid  by  Christmas  the  landlord  to  have  a right  of  reentry  in 
aid  of  his  right  of  distress,  in  clearing  the  Lego  Held,  the  land-lord  to 
cut  down  the  trees  & maul  the  rails,  & the  tenant  to  clean  up,  grub,  and 
put  up  the  fence;  and  this  clearing  to  be  done  the  next  winter  & the 
winter  following. 

the  names  of  the  Helds  are  the  Chapel  ridge 

Mountain  field 
Middle  field 
Upper  field 
L^  field 


1804]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  297 


the  course  of  their  culture,  according  to  these  conditions  will  be  as 
follows 


180J 

1S06 

1807 

1808 

1809 

Lego  field 

nothing 

nothii^ 

small 

grain 

corn 

small 

griun 

Upper  field 

small 

grun 

clover 

clover 

small 

grain 

corn 

Middle  field 

corn 

small 

grain 

clover 

clover 

small 

grain 

Mountain  field 

small 

grun 

corn 

small 

grain 

clover 

clover 

Chapel  ridge 

nothing 

small 

grain 

corn 

small 

gram 

clover 

by  reading  the  column  of  each  year  downwards,  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
tenant  has  every  year  2,  fields  of  small  grain,  i,  of  corn,  & 2,  of  clover, 
and  in  which  fields  they  are.  by  reading  the  lines  horizontally,  it  will 
be  seen  how  each  field  will  be  cultivated  for  5.  years  successively,  so  as 
that  each  will  rest  or  be  in  clover  twice,  not  following  corn,  that  each 
will  be  in  small  grain  twice,  and  each  in  corn  once.  {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  W.  Eppes.) 

Washington,  June  4,  1804. 

. . . After  Lilly  shall  have  done  at  the  mill,  which  I suppose  will  be 
by  the  time  of  my  return  home,  there  are  then  three  jobs  for  him,  the 
levelling  at  Pantops,  the  road  along  the  river,  and  the  levelling  of  the 
garden  at  Monticdlo.  (Randall,  Jefferspn  3:  99.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Bailey.) 

Monticello  Sept.  9.  '04. 

I think  I informed  you  that  I should  want  such  a box  of  plants  & 
seeds  put  up  every  year  as  I first  desired  from  you,  for  the  same  friend 
at  Paris.  I have  only  therefore  to  refer  you  to  my  former  list,  and  call 
your  attention  to  it  at  this  time  when  the  season  for  getting  the  seeds  is 
commencing,  when  you  come  to  pack  the  plants  in  autumn,  they  must 
have  a great  quantity  of  moss  distributed  among  them,  in  this  condi- 
tion I received  two  boxes  of  plants  frond  this  spring  in  such  perfect 
vigor  that  not  a single  one  I think  waddltot., » , . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.)  • '" 


i8o5*  Jefferson  began  the  second  term  of  his  Presidency 
on  March  4.  His  inaugural  address,  in  which  he  reviewed  his 
previous  term  and  suggested  new  improvements  for  the  coun* 
try  during  his  present  term  of  office,  was  well  received. 

Foreign  affairs,  as  well  as  domestic  ones,  created  trouble- 
some problems.  In  his  message  to  the  ninth  Congress,  which 
met  on  December  2,  he  alluded  to  the  dangers  our  commerce 
was  meeting : 

Since  our  last  meeting,  the  aspect  of  our  foreign  relations  has  con- 
siderably changed.  Our  coasts  have  been  infested  and  our  harbors 
watched  by  private  armed  vessels,  some  of  them  without  commissions, 
some  with  illegal  commissions,  others  with  those  of  legal  form,  but  com- 
mitting piratical  acts  beyond  the  authority  of  their  commissions.  They 
have  captured  in  the  very  entrance  of  our  harbors,  as  well  as  on  the  high 
seas,  not  only  the  vessels  of  our  friends  coming  to  trade  with  us,  but  our 
own  also.  They  have  carried  them  off  under  pretence  of  legal  adjudica- 
tion, but  not  daring  to  approacli  a court  of  justice,  they  have  plundered 
and  sunk  them  by  the- way,  or  in  obscure  places  where  no  evidence  could 
arise  against  them;  maltreated  the  crews,  and  abandoned  them  in  boats 
in  the  open  sea  or  on  desert  shores  without  food  or  covering.  These 
- enormities  appearing  to  be  unrcachcd  by  any  control  of  their  sovereigns, 
I found  it  necessary  to  equip  a force  to  cruise  within  our  own  seas,  to 
arrest  all  vessels  of  these  descriptions  found  hovering  on  our  coast  within 
the  limits  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  and  to  bring  the  offenders  in  for  trial  as 
pirates.  (Randall,  Jefferson;  150.) 

Jefferson’s  two  visits  to  Monticello  took  place  from  March 
14  to  April  17,  and  from  July  15  to  September  29.  During 
the  second  he  went  to  Poplar  Forest  on  July  26,  and  returned 
home  on  August  2. 

The  house  at  Monticello  was  nearing  completion.  Much 
interior  work  was  done;  sheet  iron  was  bought  to  cover  the 
two  offices,  which  connected  the  two  pavilions  with  the  main 
house;  and  a painter,  Richard  Barry,  came  to  Monticello. 

Jefferson  settled  with  John  Perry,  on  October  7,  for  com- 
pleting work  done  on  his  manufacturing  mill  and  two  miller 
houses,  located -on  the  Rivanna  River. 

This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book, 

aqS 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


299 


1805] 

On  August  22  “J-  Holmes  Freeman  commences  as  over- 
seer at  £.60.  a year.”  He  replaced  Gabriel  Lilly,  who  had 
been  overseer  since  1800.  (See  letter,  Jefferson  to  John 
Strode,  June  5,  1805,  and  other  letters  about  a new  overseer.) 

The  year  1805  is  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book,  al- 
though Jefferson  bought  plants  and  trees  from  seedsmen  in 
Washington,  and  received  them  from  other  sources.  The 
Farm  Book  also  does  not  mention  any  plantings  for  the  year, 
but  letters  about  plants  are  numerous,  and  the  Account  Book 
mentions  several  amounts  paid  for  plants. 

Of  special  interest  this  year  was  the  introduction  of  live 
fences  at  Monticello.  The  first  thorns  for  the  hedges  were 
sent  there  on  March  22,  by  Mr,  Dougherty,  Jefferson’s  busi- 
ness manager  in  Washington.  He  wrote  to  Jefferson  on  that 
date:  “I  went  immediately  to  Mr.  Main  [horticulturist  and 
congenial  friend  of  Jefferson  in  Washington]  8e  brot.  the  4000 
thorns.  On  enquiring  at  the  Stage  OflSce  I met  a young  man 
with  whom  I am  well  acquainted  going  from  here  to  Richmond 
immediately  in  the  stage.”  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 
The  thorns  were  carried  by  this  man  to  Richmond. 

The  extensive  live  fences  planted  at  Monticello  this  year 
and  for  several  years  following  were  of  considerable  interest 
to  Jefferson.  Mr.  Main  called  this  particular  thorn  the 
American  hedge  thorn.  It  grew  abundantly  around  Wash- 
ington. Linnaeus  called  the  thorn  Crataegus  cordata.  It  is 
now  known  as  Crataegus  phaenopyrum  Med.,  the  Washing- 
ton thorn. 

Letters  and  Extracts  or  Letters,  1805 
(Jefferson  to  Mrs,  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Washington  Jan.  7.  05. 

...  I send  you  a book  of  gardening  which  I believe  has  merit,  it 
has  at  least  that  of  being  accomodated  to  our  seasons.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  de  Tesse.) 

Washington,  Mar.  10,  ’05. 

Your  favors  of  April  10  & Aug.  17  were  not  received  till  autumn, 
that  of  Aug,  17  only  the  ist  of  November,  immediately  on  receipt  of 


300 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8os 

th«  former  I -vFrote  to  a friend  in  Philadelphia  to  make  the  enquiries 
you  desired  respecting  the  affairs  of  M.  de  Noailles.  I inclose  you  his 
answer  on  which  much  reliance  may  be  placed.  I detained  this  in  ex- 
pectation of  sending  it  early  in  winter  with  another  collection  of  plants 
& seeds  which  had  been  prepared  for  you,  but  early  in  December  every 
harbour  from  this  place  northwardly  blocked  up  with  ice,  and  through 
the  severest  winter  we  have  known  for  20  years  kept  closed  till  within 
a few  days  past,  so  that  no  vessel  could  get  out.  now  that  our  port 
(Alexandria)  is  open  I find  not  a single  vessel  bound  for  any  port  of 
France  except  the  Mediterranean,  were  the  packages  sent  thither,  they 
would  cost  you  more  for  transportation  than  they  are  worth,  & would 
besides  be  entirely  after  the  season,  indeed,  for  the  same  reason,  the  ex- 
pence of  transportation,  I should  be  afraid  to  send  you  boxes  to  any  port 
except  Havre;  & we  know  not  when  the  blockade  of  that  will  cease, 
we  are  therefore  compleatly  defeated  for  this  year  in  the  new  supply  of 
plants;  & must  comfort  ourselves  with  better  hope  for  the  next,  your 
letters  brought  me  information,  always  welcome,  of  your  health  con- 
tinuing well,  the  flattering  testimonies  I receive  of  the  good  will  of  my 
fellow  citizens  would  have  been  a source  of  great  happiness  to  me  were 
they  not  more  than  countervailed  by  domestic  afflictions.  1 have  had 
the  inexpressible  misfortune  to  lose  my  younger  daughter,  who  has  left 
me  two  grandchildren,  & my  elder  one  has  such  poor  health,  that  I have 
little  confidence  in  her  life,  she  has  6 children.  Determined  as  I am  to 
retire  at  the  end  of  4 years,  I know  not  if  I shall  have  a family  to  retire 
to.  I must  learn  philosophy  from  you  & seek  in  a family  of  plants  that 
occupation  & delight  which  you  have  so  fortunately  found  in  them,  it 
will  be  the  greater  with  me  as  it  will  give  me  opportunities  of  communi- 
cating to  you  new  objects.  . , . {Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri  His- 
torical Society:  93.) 

(Thomas  Main  to  Jefierson.) 

[Washington]  Mar.  is®  1803. 

Please  pay  to  the  bearer  Mr.  Robert  Bunyie  the  sum  of  Thirty  eight 
dollars  as  the  full  amount  of  my  Accot.  for  trees  and  plants  sold  to  the 
President  and  delivered  on  the  8®  Inst,  and  oblige.  . , . 

Pd.  in  full  Mar.  13.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Egbert  Benson.) 

Monticello  Mar.  23.  05. 

Tho*.  Jefferson  took  the  liberty  of  desiring  that  a box  or  package  of 
plants  should  be  sent  by  the  stage  from  Washington  to  Fredericksburg 
addressed  to  the  care  of  mr  Benson,  he  now  asks  the  favor  of  mr 
Benson  to  forward  them  by  stage  to  Milton  with  a recommendation  of 
them  to  the  particular  care  of  the  driver,  he  expects  they  may  arrive  at 
Fredericksburg  about  the  time  this  note  does.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.)  [The  plants  were  sent  to  Milton  by  Mr.  Benson.] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


301 


1805] 

(John  Strode  to  Jefferson.) 

Culpeper  Mar.  23,  05. 

My  Son  Tom  has  just  sent  me  a Letter  inclosing  a few  of  the  seed  of 
the  soft  Simblin  or  Quash,  which  he  humbly  intreats  the  President  to 
accept.  . . . (^Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Apr.  11,  1805. 

. . . We  have  had  two  very  fine  rains  within  the  last  fortnight,  the 
trees  are  all  leaved  here,  but  in  the  neighborhood  generally  only  the 
poplar,  our  first  asparagus  was  Mar.  27,  the  i*‘  whippoorwill  Apr.  2. 
the  tick  & the  Dogwood  blossoms  on  the  4®.  (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Tunnicliff.) 

Washington,  Apr.  26.  05. 

Th.  Jefferson  asks  the  favor  of  mr.  Tunnicliff  to  add  one  other  book 
to  the  list  he  sent  him  yesterday.  Knight  on  Culture  of  the  Apple  & 
Pear,  Cider  and  Perry,  12  mo.  printed  in  i8oi.  by  Ludlow,  Proctor, 
Longman  and  Rees,  paternoster  row,  white  Fleetstreet.  (Ford,  Jeffer- 
son Correspondence:  114.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Smith  Barton.) 

Washington  May  2.  ’05. 

M^  Dunbar,  during  his  excursion  up  the  Washita,  the  last  fall  and 
winter,  collected  some  dried  specimens  of  plants  which  he  has  sent  me 
in  order  to  have  them  ascertained.  1 know  I cannot  dispose  of  them 
better  than  by  transmitting  them  to  you,  with  a request  of  the  result  of 
your  investigation,  he  went  as  far  as  the  hot  springs  on  that  river,  500 
miles  up  it.  he  found  their  temperature  150°  of  Farenheit.  his  jour- 
nal & Hunter’s  furnish  us  with  the  geography  to  it's  natural  his- 
tory. I shall  put  them  into  the  hands  of  some  one  to  reduce  into  a small 
compass  the  results  divested  of  details  too  long  for  the  common  reader. 
I shall  be  happy  to  receive  in  time  to  incorporate  into  this,  your  informa- 
tion as  to  the  plants  now  sent.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Smith  Barton.) 

Washington  May  21,  05. 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  friendly  salutations  to  Doct'.  Barton: 
when  sending  him  the  dried  specimens  of  plants  from  mr  Dunbar  he 
omitted  to  send  some  moss  which  he  had  taken  out  of  the  hot-springs  of 
the  Washeta,  in  a temperature  of  1 50®.  in  which  he  says  are  some  of  the 
animalculae,  inhabitants  of  the  moss.  Th;  J.  having  no  microscope  here 
has  been  unable  to  see  them:  but  he  commits  them  now  to  the  better 
hands  of  DoeP.  Barton.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


302 


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[1805 


(Jefferson  to  Patrick  Gibson.) 

Washington  May  29.  1805. 

There  was  lately  shipped  for  me  from  Philadelphia  i.  box  of  grape 
vines,  and  4.  open  boxes  of  monthly  strawberries  from  Italy,  dtho’ 
from  the  account  I receive  of  the  latter  they  seem  irrecoverable  yet  if 
there  be  any  hope  of  life  I would  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  give  them  to 
any  careful  gardener  in  Richmond  who  will  hereafter  furnish  me  with 
some  roots  from  them  if  they  live,  their  value  is  great,  as  in  our 
climate  they  should  bear  9.  months  in  the  year,  the  other  box  to  be 
forwarded  to  Monticello  by  the  first  post.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington  June  2,  05. 

...  I have  lately  received  a few  grains  of  corn,  originally  from  Italy, 
yielding  4.  crops  a year,  at  40.  days  interval  each ; a winter  muskmelon, 
eaten  in  Dec.  Jan.  Feb.  pumpkins  of  127.  lb.  cauliflowers  of  25.  to 
30.  lb.  all  of  which  I have  put  into  the  hands  of  gardeners  here.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington  June  5.  1805. 

. . . Lilly  wishes  to  quit  as  manager  unless  he  gets  £100  per  year, 
he  has  been  getting  £50  plus  £10  additional  for  nailery.  . . . {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Strode.) 

Washington  June  5.  ’05. 

In  a letter  to  me  some  years  ago  you  recommended  some  person  to  me 
as  a manager,  should  I want  one  at  Monticello.  not  having  the  letter 
here  I am  not  able  to  turn  to  it,  nor  to  recollect  the  name,  the  person 
whom  I have  there  at  present  is  at  the  wages  of  £60  & the  ordinary  al- 
lowances of  pork  & corn  for  his  family,  he  is  as  good  a one  as  can  be. 
but  I yesterday  received  notice  from  him  that  unless  I would  raise  his 
wages  to  £ 100.  he  could  remain  only  this  year,  this  is  so  great  a jump, 
that  if  I can  get  another  worthy  of  confidence,  I think  to  do  so.  were 
I at  home  to  have  an  eye  to  the  manager  myself  it  would  be  less  impor- 
tant. but  obliged  as  I am  to  abandon  everything  to  him,  it  is  all  im- 
portant to  have  one  who  may  be  confided  in.  my  manager  there  has  to 
provide  for  the  maintainance  of  a family  of  about  40  negroes  at  all  times, 
and  for  my  own  family  about  3 months  in  the  year;  to  hire  annually,  and 
overlook  about  10,  laboring  men,  employed  in  a little  farming  but  mainly 
in  other  works  about  my  mills,  & grounds  generally;  to  superintend  the 
gristmill,  and  a nailery  of  10.  to  15.  hands,  provide  their  coal,  sell  nails 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


303 


1805] 


etc.  I love  industry  & abhor  severity,  vrould  the  person  whom  you 
formerly  recommended  answer  these  purposes,  is  he  to  be  had,  or  do  you 
know  any  other?  it  would  render  me  the  most  essential  service  could  I 
get  one  on  whom  I could  repose  myself  entirely,  indeed  no  event  of  this 
kind  could  have  afflicted  me  more,  as  the  conduct  of  the  present  man 
leaves  me  as  perfectly  satisfied  absent  as  present,  he  has  required  an 
immediate  answer  from  me,  which  however  I shall  endeavor  to  put  off 
till  I hear  from  you.  I think  I shall  be  with  you  about  the  middle  of 
July  I shall  have  the  pleasure  of  calling,  in  the  meantime  be  so  good 
as  to  give  me  some  comfort  on  the  above  subject  with  as  little  delay  as 
possible.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Benjamin  Smith  Barton  to  Jefferson.) 


[Philadelphia]  June  12,  1805. 
Of  the  plants  with  which  you  have  forwarded  me, 


No. 

I. 

No. 

2. 

No. 

3. 

No. 

4- 

No. 

5. 

No. 

6. 

No. 

7- 

No. 

8. 

No. 

9. 

No. 

10. 

No. 

11. 

No. 

12. 

No. 

13- 

is  a species  of  Dactylis. 

Solidago  glomerata  of  Bartram. 

Solidago  a new  species, 
a species  of  Aster. 

Solidago  suaveolcns:  The  Sweet-scented  or  Anise-seed,  golden 
rod  of  New  Jersey. 

Ascyrum  multicaule  of  Michaux. 

Liatris  elegans  of  Michaux. 

Three  new  species  of  Aster. 


Two  varieties  of  a species  of  Fanicum. 
A species  of  Cyperus. 


{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington  June  a6.  '05. 

...  I shall  defer  giving  Lilly  a final  answer  till  I get  home.  {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Ellen  Randolph.) 

Washington  July  10.  05. 

To  answer  the  question  in  your  letter  of  the  4®.  I must  observe  that 
neither  the  number  of  the  fine  arts  nor  the  particular  arts  entitled  to  that 
appellation  have  been  fixed  by  general  consent,  many  reckon  but  five 
Fainting,  sculpture,  architecture,  music  & poetry,  to  these  some  have 
added  Oratory,  including  within  that  Rhetoric  which  is  the  art  of  style 
& composition,  others  again,  add  Gardening  as  a 7*’^.  fine  art.  not 


304 


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[1805 

horticulture,  but  the  art  of  embellishing  grounds  by  fancy.  I think  L’. 
Kaims  has  justly  proved  this  to  be  entitled  to  the  appellation  of  a fine 
art.  it  is  nearly  allied  to  landscape  painting,  & accordingly  we  gen- 
erally find  the  landscape  painter  the  best  designer  of  a garden,  no  per- 
fect definition  of  what  is  a fine  art  has  ever  yet  been  given,  some  say 
that  as  those  are  mechanical  arts,  which  consist  in  manual  operation  un- 
connected with  the  understanding,  those  are  fine  arts  which  to  manual 
operation  join  the  exercise  of  the  imagination  or  genius,  this  would 
comprehend  sculpture,  painting,  architecture  & gardening,  but  neither 
music,  poetry,  nor  oratory,  others  say  that  the  sciences  are  objects  of 
the  understanding,  the  hne  arts  of  the  senses,  this  would  add  garden- 
ing, but  neither  poetry  nor  oratory,  a definition  which  should  include 
Poetry  & Oratory  & no  more  would  be  very  difficult  to  form.  ...  the 
thermometer  was  yesterday  97^“  here,  and  at  96°.  the  two  precedmg 
days.  I think  it  will  be  96°.  to-day.  should  it  be  as  hot  when  I am 
ready  to  depart,  I shall  certainly  delay  my  departure.  . . . (Jefferson 
PaperSj  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Barnes.) 

Monticello  Aug.  12.  05. 

. . . We  are  all  in  good  health  here,  & blest  amidst  luxuriant  crops 
of  every  kind.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Aug.  17.  1805. 

. . . We  are  extremely  seasonable  in  this  quarter,  better  crops  were 
never  seen.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  August  25,  1805. 

. . . We  are  now  in  want  of  rain,  haring  had  none  in  the  last  ten  days. 
In  your  quarter  I am  afraid  they  have  been  much  longer  without  it. 
We  hear  great  complaints  from  F.  Walker’s,  Lindsay’s,  Maury’s,  etc., 
of  drought.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii;  86.) 

(Jefferson  to  Messrs.  M'Dowell,  Roger,  Finley  & Patter- 
son.) 

Monticello  Aug  31.  03. 

...  I now  enclose  you  a small  parcel  of  the  Jerusalem  wheat  I re- 
ceived from  a gentleman  in  Ireland.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  W.  A.  Burwell.) 

Monticello  Sept.  20.  1805. 

...  I thank  you  for  the  vines  & seeds  which  are  all  new  and  ac- 
ceptable. . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


Jeffjsrson’s  Garden  Book 


305 


1805] 

(William  Hamilton  to  Jefferson.) 

The  Woodlands  Oct.  5,  1805. 

...  He  [nephew  of  Hamilton]  will  at  the  same  time,  deliver  to 
you,  a small  deciduous  plant  of  the  silk  tree  of  Constantinople  ( Mimosa 
Julibrisin)  which  if  well  preserved  for  two  or  three  years  in  a pot,  will 
afterwards  succeed  in  the  open  ground.  I have  trees  of  20  feet  height 
which  for  several  years  past  have  produced  their  beautiful  & fragrant 
flowers  & have  shewn  no  marks  whatever  of  suffering  from  the  severity 
of  the  last  winter.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  J,  P.  Reibelt.) 

Washington  Oct.  12.  03. 

...  [I]  thank  you  for  the  magnet,  for  the  Bengal  sheep,  and  garden 
seeds.  I enclose  some  seed  of  a vine  growing  only  on  the  great  Kan- 
naway  & answering  the  purpose  of  the  Rattan.  I never  saw  the  plant 
growing,  but  the  vine  is  curious,  there  is  a garden  plant  in  France 
which  I have  never  been  able  to  get,  the  Estragon.  perhaps  Mr.  Labul- 
lage  could  furnish  me  a little  of  the  seed.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  de  Tesse.) 

Washington,  Oct.  26.  05. 

The  blockade  of  Havre  still  continuing  and  being  likely  to  be  of 
equal  duration  with  the  war,  I had  despaired  almost  of  being  able  to 
send  you  any  seeds  this  year,  but  it  was  lately  suggested  to  me  that  a 
package  sent  to  Nantes  may  go  through  the  canal  de  Briare  to  Paris,  and 
thus  avoid  a land  carriage  which  would  cost  you  more  than  the  object  is 
worth.  I have  therefore  hastily  made  up  a box  of  seeds,  of  such  articles 
of  those  I propose  to  furnish  you  annually  as  the  present  season  admits 
of  being  gathered,  they  are  as  follows,  i.  Juglans  nigra.  2.  Lirio- 
dendron  tulipifera.  3.  Quercus  alba.  4.  Prinus.  5.  Q.  Phellos.  6. 
Q.  Palustris.  7.  Juniperus  Virginica.  8.  Cornus  Florida,  g.  Rosa 
sylvestris  elatior  foliis  inodoris  Clayton.  10.  Bignonia  Catalpa.  il. 
Magnolia  acuminata,  the  preceding  were  in  your  catalogue,  to  which 
in  order  to  All  vacant  spaces  I have  added  I2.  Diospyros  Virginiana. 
13.  Platanus  occidentalis.  14.  Cucurbita  verrucosa  Miller.  15.  Arachis 
hypogaea.  the  season  would  have  admitted  procuring  some  other  articles 
from  a distance,  but  1 was  yesterday  informed  that  the  brig  Lucy  sails 
three  days  hence  from  Baltimore  to  Nantes.  I therefore  close  the  box 
to-day  and  send  it  off  by  stage  tomorrow,  the  only  means  of  getting  to 
Baltimore  in  time,  it  is  a box  4 feet  long,  and  1 foot  wide  and  deep ; 
will  be  addressed  to  you  to  the  care  of  William  Patterson,  commercial 
agent  of  the  U.  S.  at  Nantes,  with  instructions  first  to  ask  your  orders 
how  to  have  them  conveyed  and  to  follow  those  orders.  I shall  make 
some  observations  on  some  of  these  articles,  of  the  oaks  1 have  selected 
the  alba,  because  it  is  the  finest  of  the  whole  family,  it  is  the  only  tree 
with  us  which  disputes  for  pre-eminence  with  the  Liriodendron.  it  may 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


306 


[1805 


be  called  the  Jupiter  while  the  latter  is  the  Juno  of  our  groves,  the 
Prinos,  or  chestnut  oak  is  also  one  of  the  fine  and  handsome  species,  the 
Phellos,  or  willow  oak  combines  great  irregularity  with  beauty,  the 
Palustris  of  Michaux,  which  is  the  Quercus  rubra  dissecta  R of  La 
March  Encyclop.  Method.  Botan.  i.  721.  is  nearly  as  singular  by  the 
deep  indenture  of  it's  leaves  and  their  very  narrow  lobes,  as  the  Phellos, 
and  very  handsome,  it  has  also  been  called  by  some  Quercus  montanus, 
just  as  improperly  as  Palustris.  it  grows  wdl  in  dry  as  well  as  moist 
lands,  the  acorns  of  the  Q.  Phellos  are  the  smaller,  we  know,  they 
fall  early  in  the  season,  and  I send  you  every  individual  acorn  which 
multiplied  researches  could  now  procure,  probably  some  of  the  minutest 
may  not  come  up,  but  I trust  a sufficient  number  will  be  found  good,  in 
each  of  the  cells  of  the  box  are  some  leaves  of  the  identical  trees  from 
which  the  acorns  were  gathered.  Juniperus  virgin.  I presume  some 
method  is  known  and  practiced  with  you  to  make  the  seeds  come  up.  I 
have  never  known  but  one  person  succeed  with  them  here,  he  crammed 
them  down  the  throats  of  his  poultry  confined  in  the  hen-yard  and  then 
sowed  their  dung,  which  has  been  completely  effectual.  Cornus  Florida, 
we  have  a variety  of  this  with  a flesh  coloured  blossom,  but  it  is  so  rare 
that  I have  seen  it  in  but  one  place  on  my  road  from  hence  to  Monticello, 
and  could  only  be  known  at  this  season  by  marking  the  tree  when  in 
blossom,  this  research  must  be  reserved  for  a situation  more  favorable 
than  my  present  one.  Magnolia  acuminata,  this  plant  is  not  of  Vir- 
ginia, except  it's  South  Western  angle,  250  miles  from  hence.  I send 
you  the  only  cone  of  it  I ever  saw,  and  which  came  to  me  accidentally 
not  long  since,  the  tree  1 have  never  seen.  Platanus  occidentalis,  a 
most  noble  tree  for  shade,  of  fine  form,  its  bark  of  a paper-white 
when  old,  and  of  very  quick  growth,  cucuibita  verrucosa,  cymling.  I 
recommend  this  merely  for  your  garden,  we  consider  it  one  of  our 
finest  and  most  innocent  vegetables.  I found  the  chicoree  as  dressed  by 
your  cooks  in  a pulpy  form  to  resemble  our  cymling.  Arachis  hypogaea, 
a very  sweet  ground-nut.  it  grows  well  at  this  place  where  we  can  have 
neither  figs  nor  artechokes  without  protection  through  the  winter,  it  is 
hardier  therefore  than  they  are,  and  cannot  be  a mere-green  house  plant 
with  you  as  Miller  and  Diunont  Courset  suppose.  I write  to  you  al- 
most in  despair  that  you  will  get  either  my  letter  or  the  box  of  seeds, 
such  are  the  irregularities  committed  on  the  ocean  by  the  armed  vessels 
of  all  the  belligerent  powers  that  nothing  is  safe  committed  to  that  ele- 
ment. were  it  not  for  this,  I would  ask  you  to  send  me  by  some  occasion 
some  acorns  of  the  Quercus  rubre,  some  seeds  of  the  Cedrus  Lebani 
which  you  have  in  the  Jardin  des  plantes,  and  perhaps  some  nuts  of  your 
Marronier : but  I should  only  expose  myself  to  the  mortification  of  losing 
them.  ... 

P.  S,  since  writing  the  above  I have  been  able  to  get  some  of  the 
Pyrus  coronaria,  or  malus  sylvestiis  virginiana  floribus  odoratis  of  Clay- 
ton. both  the  blossom  and  apple  are  of  the  finest  perfume,  and  the  apple 
is  the  best  of  all  possible  burnishers  for  brass  and  steel  furniture  which 
has  contracted  rust  (Ford,  Jefferton  CarretfondeHce : 118-120.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


307 


1805] 

(Thomas  Main  to  Jefferson.) 

Nursery  near  Geo;  Town 

Oct'.  29*'*.  1805. 

Intending  to  set  off  for  Richmond  in  a day  or  two,  I have  directed  the 
bearer  to  wait  for  the  Letter  which  you  was  so  obliging  as  to  offer  me. 

. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(JeffersOT  to  Dr.  James  Currie.) 

Washington  Oct.  29.  03. 

The  bearer  hereof  is  nnr  Thomas  Main  whom  I have  spoken  of  to  you 
as  the  person  who  has  been  so  successfully  engaged  here  in  raising  the 
thorn  hedge  & whom  you  were  so  kind  as  to  say  you  would  patronize 
should  he  be  willing  to  undertake  the  same  business  at  Richmond,  in- 
deed for  his  integrity,  sobriety,  industry  & skill  I can  safely  recommend 
him  as  worthy  general  patronage,  and  I am  persuaded  that  in  the  present 
state  of  difficulty  in  fencing  farms  in  that  part  of  the  country,  he  will  be 
a valuable  acquisition  & will  in  a few  years  change  the  face  of  the  coun- 
try. recommending  him  therefore,  for  no  interests  of  mine  but  merely 
for  those  of  the  canton  to  which  he  goes,  to  your  friendly  offices  & aid  I 
offer  you  with  sincerity  affectionate  salutations  & assurances  of  respect. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Hamilton.) 

Washington  Nov.  6.  05. 

Your  nephew  delivered  safely  to  me  the  plant  of  the  Chinese  silk 
tree  in  perfect  good  order,  and  I shall  nurse  it  with  care  until  it  shall  be 
in  condition  to  be  planted  at  Monticello.  mf  Madison  mentioned  to 
me  you  wish  to  receive  any  seeds  which  should  be  sent  me  by  Capt. 
Lewis  or  from  any  other  quarter  of  plants  which  are  rare.  ...  I hap- 
pen to  have  two  papers  of  seeds  which  Capt.  Lewis  inclosed  to  me  in  a 
letter,  and  which  I gladly  consign  over  to  you,  as  I shall  anything  else 
which  may  fall  into  my  hands  and  be  worthy  your  acceptance,  one  of 
these  is  the  Mandan  tobacco,  a very  singular  species,  uncommonly  weak 
and  probably  suitable  for  segars.  ...  I send  also  some  seeds  of  the 
winter  melon  which  I received  from  Malta,  some  were  planted  here 
last  season,  but  too  early,  they  were  so  ripe  before  the  time  of  gather- 
ing (before  the  first  frost)  that  all  rotted  but  one  which  is  still  sound  & 
firm  & we  hope  will  keep  sometime,  experience  alone  will  fix  the  time 
of  planting  them  in  our  climate.  I hope  you  will  find  it  worthy  a place 
in  your  kitchen  garden.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Holmes  Freeman.) 

Washington,  Nov.  14.  *03. 

. . . whenever  the  mill  works  shall  be  done  the  road  and  garden,  and 
the  engaging  negroes  for  another  year  are  pressing  articles.  . . . (Ford, 
Jefferson  Correspondence:  124.) 


3o8 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1805 


(Thomas  Main  to  Jefferson.) 

Main’s  Nursery 

[Georgetown]  Nov*.  i8‘\  1803. 

Immediately  on  my  return  from  Richmond  a sense  of  duty,  with  senti* 
ments  of  the  most  unfeigned  thankfulness  for  your  benevolent  intention 
to  promote  my  interest  through  a benefit  to  the  community,  in  an  em- 
ployment po  congenial  to  my  inclination,  induces  me  to  take  the  liberty 
to  lay  before  you  the  result  of  my  journey.  It  would  have  given  me 
pleasure  to  have  waited  on  the  President  for  this  purpose,  had  I not  re- 
flected that  his  time  was  at  this  period  by  far  too  precious  to  suffer  such 
intrusion  from  my  humble  concerns. 

Doctor  Currie  received  me  with  great  kindness,  and  was  anxious  to 
favour  me  with  a place,  though  I found  him  unhappily  afflicted  with 
much  grief  for  the  loss  of  his  only  child:  and  he  indeed  nevertheless, 
honoured  my  errand  with  his  whole  attention.  An  obstacle  of  some 
magnitude  however  prevented  an  agreement.  The  house  which  was  to 
be  my  dwelling  stood  contiguous,  in  the  same  yard  with  those  of  his 
overseer  and  labourers,  which  I found  was  permanently  to  be  the  case. 
This  was  a difficulty  which  I really  durst  not  encounter,  fearing  that 
disagreeable  collisions  might  eventually  ensue  from  such  an  intermixture 
of  authoritjr,  which  would  endanger  that  happy  tranquility  so  dear  to 
the  quiet  mind ; one  half  of  this  dreaded  evil  being  apprehended  from  a 
source  over  which  I could  have  no  control  rendered  it  still  more  in- 
superable. These  sentiments  I respectfully  submitted  to  the  Doctor; 
and  further  added  that  it  would  be  my  anxious  care  and  earhest  desire  to 
cultivate  a good  understanding  with  him  and  wished  therefore  that  every- 
thing which  might  probably  produce  the  seeds  of  discord  should  by  an- 
ticipation be  prevented.  He  allowed  the  observations  to  be  reasonable 
but  could  not  devise  a remedy,  as  it  was  out  of  his  power  to  dispense 
with  the  use  of  that  place  for  ^e  residence  of  his  people.  Finding  this 
obstacle  not  to  be  overcome,  he  oblipngly  offered  to  introduce  me  to 
other  landholders,  gentlemen  of  his  acquaintance,  and  to  lay  the  Presi- 
dents letter  before  them,  if  I would  tarry  a day  or  two  longer:  but  as  I 
found  I could  not  with  propriety  delay  my  return  I was  obliged  to  de- 
cline that  offer.  He  then  proposed  for  me  to  throw  my  ideas  upon 
paper  and  write  to  him  in  Dec*.  I promised  compliance  and  perceiving 
him  very  unwell  took  my  leave:  he  requesting  me  to  give  his  best  re- 
spects to  the  President.  Perhaps  I ought  to  desist  at  this  time  from  any 
further  attempts  to  fix  an  establishment  at  Richmond.  When  I write 
to  the  Doctor  I shall  with  permission,  submit  my  letter  to  your  correc- 
tion, as  it  would  distress  me  greatly  should  I inadvertently  dictate  any- 
thing that  might  seem  to  derogate  in  the  least  from  the  recommendation 
which  you  have  been  pleased  to  give  me.  Great  part  of  the  country 
through  which  1 passed,  and  about  Richmond  appeared  so  far  as  I could 
observe  highly  susceptible  of  the  improvement  of  Hedging  and  seemed 
also  much  to  require  it.  Being  treated  with  the  greatest  civility  by 
every  person  with  whom  I had  any  intercourse  in  Virginia  it  could  not 
fail  of  making  a very  favourable  impression  on  my  mind  respecting  its 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


309 


1805] 

inhabitants.  I have  only  to  add  that  your  goodness,  to  me,  so  much  un* 
merited,  shall  ever  be  held  in  pleasing  remembrance;  and  that  with  the 
most  affectionate  attachment  and  sincere  respect.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 

L.  C.) 

(Thomas  Appleton  to  Jefferson.) 

Leghorn  Nov.  18,  1805. 

...  I have  put  on  board  ship  a case  of  plants  which  are  sent  to  you 
by  M’’,  Mazzei.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jacob  Crowninshield  to  Jefferson.) 

Washington,  November  30,  1805. 

I beg  your  acceptance  of  a head  of  Egyptian  wheat,  in  high  preserva- 
tion, which  was  produced  the  last  season  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hamp- 
shire. It  is  said  to  be  very  prolific,  & to  produce  whiter  flour  than  our 
common  wheat.  I am  solicitous  it  should  be  distributed  in  the  southern 
states  & particularly  in  Virginia  & if  none  of  it  has  already  fallen  into 
your  hands  I am  sure  you  will  give  it  a fair  trial.  Should  it  answer  my 
expectations  it  will  be  a valuable  acquisition  to  the  U.  States.  . . . {Jef~ 
ferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  S.  Barton.) 

Washington  Dec.  33.  05. 

Under  another  cover  I send  you  drawings  & specimens  of  the  seed,  cot- 
ton & leaf  of  the  Cotton  Tree  of  the  Western  Country,  received  from 
Gen^  Wilkinson  at  S*.  Louis,  to  these  I must  add  that  it  appears  from 
the  journals  of  Lewis  & Clarke  that  the  boughs  of  this  tree  are  the  sole 
food  of  the  horses  up  the  Missouri  during  the  winter.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Benjamin  Smith  Barton  to  Jefferson.) 

December  37,  1805. 

I am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  the  drawing  and  specimen,  which  you 
have  forwarded  to  me.  The  cotton  tree  is,  no  doubt,  the  Populus 
deltoides  of  Bartram  and  Marshall.  I am  not  certain  that  it  is  noticed 
in  any  of  the  Systematic  books  on  Botany.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  G) 

From  the  Account  Book  180$: 

Mar.  6.  p*  mfs  Bailey  for  80.  trees  15.  D. 

Mar.  II.  gave  Joseph  to  pay  Hepburn  37.675  plants. 

Mar.  II.  Gave  Joseph  to  pay  Maine  38.  d°, 

Aug.  33.  J.  Holmes  Freeman  commences  as  overseer  at  £.  60.  a year. 
Oct.  31.  p^  Maine  for  thorns  I3. 


i8o6 


1806/ 

Mar.  14.  the  road  from  the  Shadwell  ford*  to  the  top  of 
the  mountain,  along  the  North  side  of  the 
mountain,  was  begun  fit.  was  finished  May.  ii. 
except  some  little  blowing,  it  has  taken  552. 
days  work  @ 2/"=  184.  D. 

The  cherries  & peaches  are  compleatly  killed 
this  year  as  well  on  the  mountains  as  elsewhere, 
this  was  effected  by  cold  freezing  winds,  mostly 
from  the  N.W.  in  the  month  of  April,  & of 
considerable  continuance,  the  peaches  & cher- 
ries (except  Morellas)  were  then  in  bloom  & 
killed,  the  Morelia  cherries  & apples,  not 
being"  then  in  bloom,  escaped  entirely.* 

* 1806.  The  letter  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Trist,  quoted  below, 
partly  summarizes  the  political  and  family  life  of  Jefferson 
during  the  early  part  of  1806; 

Washington,  Apr.  27,  ’06. 

...  my  daughter  & her  family  are  here  with  me  & well.  They  will 
set  out  for  Albemarle  in  2 or  3 days,  whither  I shall  follow  them  to  pass 
as  many  weeks  in  order  to  repose  a little  after  the  labors  of  the  winter. 
Congress  have  had  a sQually  session,  some  strange  phaenomena  disturbed 
that  harmony  which  has  been  hitherto  unbroken  among  the  Republicans, 
however  it  furnished  a comfortable  proof  of  the  steadiness  Sc  independ- 
ence of  the  main  body,  which  could  not  be  led  from  its  principles,  and  it 
has  compleated  my  conviction  that  ours  is  the  most  stable  government  in 
the  world,  we  are  trying  to  lay  the  foundations  of  a long  peace  with 
Spain,  in  which  your  city  is  more  interested  than  any  other  place,  from 
Albemarle  I can  give  you  no  news,  having  nobody  there  now  who  writes 
me.  Mr.  Sc  Mrs.  Gilmer  go  this  ^ring  to  their  lands  in  the  southern 

310 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1806] 


31J 


part  of  the  state,  in  which  the  title  of  the  family  is  confirmed,  we  ex- 
pect Colo.  Monroe  will  return  to  us  next  autumn,  and  I am  looking  to 
my  final  return  there  with  more  desire  than  to  any  other  object  in  this 
world.  It  is  yet  three  years  distant,  this  summer  will  entirely  finish 
the  house  at  Monticello  & I am  preparing  an  occasional  retreat  in  Bed- 
ford, where  I expect  to  settle  some  of  my  grandchildren.  . . . {Glimpses 
of  the  Past,  Missouri  Historical  Society:  97.) 

Two  observations  are  of  special  interest,  “this  summer  will 
entirely  finish  the  house  at  Monticello  & I am  preparing  an  oc- 
casional retreat  in  Bedford.”  The  house  at  Monticello,  al- 
though essentially  finished  this  year,  required  many  smaller 
alterations  during  the  following  years.  In  fact,  Jefferson  was 
constantly  pulling  down  and  rebuilding  in  a different  and  more 
convenient  way. 

The  new  house  he  was  building  at  Poplar  Forest,  in  Bed- 
ford County,  was  to  be  a summer  haven  for  him.  After  he 
retired  from  the  Presidency  to  Monticello,  he  made  at  least 
two  visits  there  each  year.  In  a letter  to  Mrs.  Randolph, 
from  Washington,  on  June  16,  he  wrote:  “I  find  by  a letter 
from  Chisholm  that  I shall  have  to  proceed  to  Bedford  almost 
without  stopping  in  Albemarle.  I shall  probably  be  kept  there 
a week  or  10  days  laying  the  foundation  of  the  house,  which 
he  is  not  equal  to  himself.”  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

In  1806  Burr’s  conspiracy  took  place.  He  was  brought  to 
trial  the  following  year  in  Richmond.  It  was  also  in  this  year 
that  the  Lewis  and  Clark  Expedition  returned.  The  com- 
pletion of  this  expedition  brought  as  much  happiness  to  Jef- 
ferson as  the  Burr  conspiracy  brought  worry.  The  following 
letter  to  Meriwether  Lewis  was  written  on  hearing  the  good 
news  that  the  members  of  the  expedition  had  arrived  safely  at 
St.  Louis. 

Washington,  Oct,  20,  06. 

I received,  my  dear  sir,  with  unspeakable  joy  your  letter  of  Sep.  23 
announcing  the  return  of  yourself,  Capt.  Clarke  & your  party  in  good 
health  to  St.  Louis.  The  unknown  scenes  in  which  you  were  engaged 
& the  length  of  time  without  hearing  of  you  had  begun  to  be  felt  awfully. 
Your  letter  having  been  31  [28?]  days  coming,  this  cannot  find  you  at 
Louisville  & I therefore  think  it  safe  to  lodge  it  at  Charlottesville.  Its 
only  object  is  to  assure  you  of  what  you  already  know  my  constant  af- 
fection for  you  & the  joy  with  which  all  your  friends  here  will  receive 
you.  Tell  my  friend  of  Mandane  also  that  1 have  already  opened  my 
arms  to  receive  him.  Perhaps,  while  in  our  neighborhood  it  may  be 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


312 


[1806 


gratifying  to  him,  & not  otherwise  to  yourself  to  take  a ride  to  Monti- 
cello  and  see  in  what  manner  I have  arranged  the  tokens  of  friendship  I 
have  received  from  his  country  particularly,  as  well  as  from  other  Indian 
friends : that  I am  in  fact  preparing  a kind  of  Indian  Hall.  Mr.  Dins- 
more,  my  principal  workman,  w3l  shew  you  everything  there.  . . . 
(Ford,  Jefferson  10:  295-296.) 

The  spring  visit  to  Monticello  this  year  lasted  from  May  9 
to  June  4.  The  summer  vacation  extended  from  July  24  to, 
October  i.  During  the  second  visit  he  stayed  at  Poplar 
Forest  from  August  17  to  August  28,  preparmg  the  founda- 
tion for  his  house. 

The  toll  mill  was  completed  in  the  early  part  of  the  year. 
(See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Mr.  Cooch,  February  23,  1806;  and 
other  letters  about  the  mill.)  On  July  28  “John  Gentry  be- 
gins to  assist  & superintend  the  toll  mill  at  12.  D.  per  month 
(he  went  off  in  a few  days) .”  On  August  i or  2 “Bacon  joins 
Gentry  in  superintend®  toll  mill.”  {Account  Book  1804— 
1808.)  For  some  reason  the  toll  mill  failed  to  be  as  success- 
ful as  Jefferson  had  planned.  Perhaps  poor  management  was 
one  factor. 

Edmund  Bacon  operated  the  mill  with  Gentry  until  Sep- 
tember 29.  On  that  date  he  became  the  new  overseer  at 
Monticello,  succeeding  John  Freeman,  who  had  been  overseer 
only  one  year.  Freeman  had  proven  .unsatisfactory.  Jeffer- 
son recorded  in  the  Account  Book:  “Sept.  29.  I am  indebted 
to  Edmund  Bacon  for  services  to  y*  day  20.  D.  he  agrees  to 
serve  me  as  manager  one  year  from  this  day  for  100.  D.  600. 
lb.  pork  & half  a beef.”  Bacon  continued  as  overseer  at 
Monticello  for  almost  20  years. 

Although  no  record  of  planting  occurs  in  the  Garden  Book 
and  the  Farm  Book,  the  Account  Book,  memoranda,  and  let- 
ters show  the  year  to  have  been  one  of  the  busiest  planting 
years  at  Monticello.  Memoranda  were  left  with,  and  sent  to, 
Mr.  Freeman  and  Mr.  Bacon.  Davy’s  cart  was  loaded  with 
trees  and  plants  from  the  nurseries  in  Washington  and  carried 
to  Monticello.  To  show  where  certain  of  the  plants  were  to 
be  placed,  Jefferson  made  a detailed  diagram  of  the  upper  part 
of  the  mountain.  (See  plate  XXL)  This  plan  was  sent  to 
Mr.  Freeman,  with  planting  instructions.  Mr.  Bacon,  re- 
counting his  reminiscences  to  the  Reverend  Hamilton  W.  Pier- 
son, in  1862,  said; 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


313 


1806] 

Mr.  JefEerson  sent  home  a great  many  kinds  of  trees  and  shrubbery 
from  Washington.  I used  to  send  a servant  there  with  a great  many 
fine  things  from  Monticello  for  his  table,  and  he  would  send  back  the 
cart  loaded  with  shrubbery  from  a nursery  near  Georgetown,  that  be- 
longed to  a man  named  Maine,  and  he  would  always  send  me  directions 
what  to  do  with  it.  He  always  knew  all  about  every  thing  in  every 
part  of  his  grounds  and  garden.  He  knew  the  name  of  every  tree,  and 
just  where  one  was  dead  or  missing.  (Reverend  Hamilton  W.  Pierson, 
Jefferson  at  Monticello  (New  York,  i86a) : 38—39.  Hereafter  cited 
as  Pierson,  Monticello.) 

In  the  early  spring  Bernard  McMahon,  seedsman  and  florist 
of  Philadelphia,  published  The  American  Gardener’s  Calen- 
dar. On  April  17  he  sent  Jefferson  a copy  and  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  him : 

Philadelphia,  April  17,  1806. 

I have  much  pleasure  in  requesting  your  acceptance  of  one  of  my 
publications  on  Horticulture  which  I forward  you  by  this  mail.  Should 
my  humble  efforts,  meet  with  your  approbation,  and  render  any  service 
to  my  adopted  and  much  beloved  Country,  I shall  feel  the  happy  con- 
solation of  having  contributed  my  mite  to  the  welfare  of  my  fellow  man, 
I am  Sir, 

With  sincere  esteem  and  best  wishes  yours, 
Bernard  McMahon. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

Jefferson  replied  to  this  courtesy  on  April  25,  in  the  follow- 
ing letter : 

Washington  Apr.  25.  06. 

Th;  Jefferson  returns  his  thanks  to  mf  M'.Mahon  for  the  book  he 
has  been  so  kind  as  to  send  him.  from  the  rapid  view  he  has  taken  of  it 
& the  original  matter  it  appears  to  contain  he  has  no  doubt  it  will  be 
found  an  useful  aid  to  the  friends  of  an  art,  too  important  to  health  & 
comfort  & yet  too  much  neglected  in  this  country,  the  seeds  which 
Th:  J.  received  from  the  Missouri  had  been  sent  to  the  Philosophical 
society;  but  of  some  which  had  been  received  from  the  Mediterranean 
Th:  J.  sent  a few  of  the  most  valuable  kinds  to  mf  McMahon  by  mf 
Duane ; and  will  recollect  him  should  he  receive  any  thing  in  that  way 
hereafter  curious  or  valuable.  Th:  J.  has  been  many  years  endeavoring 
to  get  some  seed  of  the  Tarragon,  but  without  success,  if  mr  M*.Mahon 
has  any,  a little  of  it  will  be  acceptable.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

Mr.  McMahon’s  book  made  an  especial  appeal  to  Jefferson 
because  it  was  among  the  first  books  to  treat  of  American 
gardening  and  to  take  into  consideration  conditions  in  this 
country.  From  the  publication  of  the  book  until  1815,  sev- 
eral letters  passed  between  the  two  men,  each  year.  Jefferson 


314 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1806 


bought  plants  and  seeds  from  McMahon  which  he  planted  at 
Monticello.  Mr.  McMahon  and  Mr,  William  Hamilton,  of 
The  Woodlands,  received  many  of  the  plants  and  seeds  sent  or 
brought  to  Jefferson  by  the  Lewis  and  Clark  Expedition. 
(For  additional  information  on  McMahon,  see  p.  478,  note 
24-) 

* Jefferson’s  ford  over  the  Rivanna  River  at  Shadwell. 
See  letter,  Jefferson  to  James  Madison,  September  2,  i8o6. 
Note  the  mention  of  this  new  toad  in  several  letters  during 
the  year.  See  plate  XXII. 

‘ 2/  means  2 shillings. 

* See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Madison,  May  ii,  1806. 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1806 
(James  Taylor  to  Jefferson.) 

Belle  Vue  3**.  Feb’'.  1806. 

I have  thought  proper  to  add  a few  more  of  the  peach  cutings  sup- 
posing them  a curiosity,  never  having  seen  any  of  the  kind  in  Virginia. 
If  Mr.  Madison  should  wish  any  more  of  the  peach  The  President  will 
please  to  divide  with  him.  I shall  send  on  some  of  the  Detroit  apple  as 
soon  as  I can  procure  them.  Those  I have  were  only  grafted  last  sea- 
son & will  not  furnish  grafts  this  season.  . . . 

Jefferson  wrote  the  following  list  at  the  bottom  of  the  letter: 

Monthly  strawberry  vines 
Rose  col*.  Nectarine  grafts,  clearstone. 
a.  Magdalene  peach  cuttings, 
a bundle  of  d°. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Freeman.) 

Washington,  Feb.  7.  06. 

...  I am  sorry  you  have  not  yet  attacked  the  road  up  the  mountain. 
I suppose  the  extra  work  at  the  mill  has  prevented  it.  Jerry  with  the 
light  cart  & 2.  mules  had  better  set  off  for  this  place  as  speedily  as  you 
can  get  him  ready.  Fanny  need  not  come,  the  purpose  of  his  coming 
is  to  carry  home  a number  of  trees  to  be  planted,  for  these  the  ground 
lying  Westward  from  the  garden  pales  to  the  young  hedge  must  be  en- 
tirely cleaned  up.  where  pesKh  or  other  fruit  trees  already  exist  there 
in  the  regular  rows,  they  may  be  left;  but  all  out  of  the  rows  must  be 
taken  up.  the  trees  he  will  carry  will  fill  the  whole  space  between  the 
pales  & hedge  from  East  to  West,  & up  & down  the  hill  from  North  to 
South  from  hedge  to  hedge,  will  you  be  so  good  as  to  see  that  the 
water  is  drawn  out  of  the  ice  house,  once  or  twice  a week,  or  as  often 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


315 


1806] 

as  necessary.  . . . but  really,  these  immence  calls  from  Monticello  dis- 
tress me  beyond  measure,  it  renders  it  essential  to  get  the  nail  house 
under  steady  way,  to  meet  the  money  calls  generally,  and  to  begin  our 
endeavors  to  prepare  a farm  which  may  furnish  the  pork,  muttons,  oats, 
peas  & hay  necessary  for  me  while  there  & for  the  place  at  all  times,  to 
get  this  under  way,  the  new  road,  & the  fence  described  in  the  instruc- 
tions I left  with  you  are  indispensable  & should  be  undertaken  as  early 
as  possible,  whether  you  will  be  able  to  get  ground  ready  to  sow  in 
oats  & clover,  & to  plant  cow  peas,  you  alone  can  judge.  I think  we 
might  have  peas  & potatoes  in  the  ground  you  have  to  clean  up  for 
peach  trees,  and  that  oats  & clover  ought  to  be  sown  in  that  part  from 
Bailey’s  house  upwards  which  had  corn  last  year.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers t U,  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  C.  F.  Comte  de  Volney.) 

Washington,  Feb.  ii,  1806. 

. . . Our  last  news  of  Captn  Lewis  was  that  he  had  reached  the 
upper  part  of  the  Missouri,  & had  taken  horses  to  cross  the  Highlands 
to  the  Columbia  River.  He  passed  the  last  winter  among  the  Manians 
[=  Mandans]  1610  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  river.  So  far  he  had 
delineated  it  with  as  great  accuracy  as  will  probably  be  ever  applied  to  it, 
as  his  courses  & distances  by  mensuration  were  corrected  by  dmost  daily 
observations  of  latitude  and  longitude.  ...  He  wintered  in  Lat.  4.7^ 
id  and  found  the  maximum  of  cold  43°  below  the  zero  of  Fahrenheit. 
We  expect  he  has  reached  the  Pacific,  and  is  now  wintering  on  the  head 
of  the  Missouri,  and  will  be  here  next  autumn.  ...  A newspaper  para- 
graph tells  me,  with  some  details,  that  the  society  of  agriculture  of  Paris 
had  thought  a mould-board  of  my  construction  worthy  their  notice  & 
Mr,  Dupont  confirms  it  in  a letter,  but  not  specifying  anything  particu- 
lar. I send  him  a model  with  an  advantageous  change  in  the  form,  in 
which  however  the  principle  is  rigorously  the  same.  (Ford,  Jefferson 
10:  227-228.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Cooch.) 

Washington  Feb.  23.  06 

In  answer  to  the  enquiries  in  your  letter  of  the  14th  I have  to  observe 
that  the  mill  I mentioned  to  you  is  on  the  Rivanna  river  at  a place  called 
Shadwell  in  the  maps  of  Virginia  6 miles  below  Charlottesville,  & f 
mile  above  Milton,  this  last  is  the  head  of  navigation;  but  from  my 
mill  boats  go  down  a sheet  of  dead  water  to  a short  fall  at  Milton, 
where  the  load  is  transferred  to  the  regular  river  craft  which  carry  it  to 
Richmond  80.  miles  by  water,  the  river  is  regularly  boatable  about  7. 
or  8.  months  from  the  beginning  of  November  (not  obstructed  by  ice. 
once  in  2 years  k then  only  a few  days)  and  in  the  Summer  months  the 
boats  always  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  catch  the  accidental  tides 
from  showers  of  rain,  so  that  a great  deal  is  done  that  season:  and  there 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


316 


[1806 


is  rarely  any  accumulation  of  produce  for  want  of  a tide.  I do  not 
propose  to  occupy  or  be  concerned  in  the  mill  in  any  way,  but  to  rent  her 
for  1200.  D.  she  has  two  independent  water  wheels,  single  geered,  one 
turning  a pair  of  5.  f.  Burr  stones,  the  other  a pr  of  6.  f.  d".  she  will  be 
finished  in  the  best  manner  with  every  modern  convenience,  is  about  40, 
by  60.  f.  3 floors  in  the  body  which  is  of  stone,  & 2.  floors  in  the  roof, 
one  pair  of  stones  will  go  July  l.  the  other  Jan.  i.  with  a constant  supply 
of  water,  there  is  an  excellent  miller’s  house  of  stone,  2 rooms  below, 
& 2.  garrets  above,  well  finished,  the  merchants  of  Milton,  who  pur- 
chase most  of  the  wheat  of  the  neighborhood,  will  furnish  the  chief 
employ  to  be  manufactured  for  a toll.  . . . 

F.  S.  a small  gristmill  near  the  other,  retained  by  myself,  will  reserve 
the  exclusive  right  to  grind  corn  for  consumption  of  the  neighborhood 
for  a toll.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Thomas  Main  to  Jefferson.) 

[Washington]  Feb’^  24®  1806. 

To  accompany  the  President’s  Thorn  plants.  There  are  forty  bun- 
dles, each  containing  250  plants.  Besides  which  there  is  one  bundle  of 
small  plants  containing  200.  These  last,  to  be  planted  in  nursery  to 
supply  any  accidental  deficiencies  that  may  happen  in  the  hedges.  If  the 
weather  should  be  dry  and  warm  while  the  plants  are  on  the  road,  they 
may  be  watered  two  [or]  three  times,  according  to  directions,  in  the 
course  of  the  journey.  If  the  weather  then  should  prove  to  freeze  se- 
verely they  ought  not  then  to  be  watered  at  all  during  the  continuance 
of  the  frost. 

After  the  Hedges  are  planted  the  tops  of  the  plants  ought  to  be 
trimmed,  or  cut  off  with  a pair  of  hedge  shears  just  so  low  as  to  miss, 
untouched,  the  tops  of  the  lower  plants.  This  operation  not  only 
renders  the  hedge  evenly  and  handsome  to  the  eye  but  is  also  of  essen- 
tial benefit  by  tending  to  bring  the  plants  to  an  equality  of  size  and 
strength.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  John  Freeman.) 

Washington  Feb.  26.  06. 

Jerry  arrived  here  the  day  before  yesterday  & sets  off  to-day.  his  cart 
is  heavily  laden  with  trees,  thorns  etc.  I inclose  you  a plan  of  the 
grounds  at  Monticello  where  every  thing  is  to  be  planted  [see  plate 
XXI],  and  a paper  with  full  directions  respecting  the  thorns  & trees 
that  nothing  needs  be  added  here,  only  to  proceed  to  the  planting  with 
all  your  force  the  moment  he  arrives,  as  every  hour  the  plants  are  out  of 
the  ground,  sonae  die.  when  a bundle  is  opened,  do  not  leave  the  roots 
exposed  to  the  air  one  moment  unnecessarily,  nothing  is  so  fatal  to  them. 

The  garden  seeds  I send  you  are  of  the  very  best  Wnd.  if  you  sow  a 
bed  of  each  kind  of  peas  immediately  they  will  come  to  [table]  before  I 
leave  Monticello.  the  sowings  should  be  large  as  our  daily  consump- 


Plate  XXII.— Jeffersoa’s  plan.of  Memticfllo  estate,  1806.  T^plan  shows  Ae  of  fields, 

toads,  round-abouts,  springs,  streams,  fords,  garden,  and  houses.  {J^erson  Jrapers,  JW..  £1.  a.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


317 


1806] 

don  of  such  things  is  great.  I send  two  pairs  of  hedge  shears  to  be  kept 
for  clipping  the  tops  of  the  hedges  every  year.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Charles  Clay.) 

[Washington]  Mar.  i.  06. 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  compliments  to  mr  Clay,  he  was  mis- 
taken in  believing  he  had  a packet  of  seeds  from  Italy,  he  was  led  into 
the  error  by  it’s  being  entered  as  such  at  the  Custom  house,  & no  letter 
of  explanation  came,  it  turns  out  to  be  a packet  containing  2.  kinds  of 
the  Peach-Apricot  stones  & a kind  of  plumb-stone,  the  former  are  dis- 
tinguishable from  all  others  by  a sheath  in  the  side,  through  which  you 
may  thrust  a pin.  no  other  fruit  stone  has  this  peculiarity,  so  that  there 
is  no  doubt  what  this  is.  but  what  kind  of  plumb-stone  is  that  which 
came,  he  has  no  means  of  knowing,  he  will  answer  however  for  it’s 
being  of  distinguished  merit,  altho’  these  may  not  be  within  the  line  of 
the  gardener  on  whose  behalf  mf  Qay  applied,  yet  the  Apricots  are  so 
valuable  that  they  aie  well  worth  his  attention,  this  particular  species 
of  Apricot  is  the  finest  fruit  which  grows  in  Europe.  Th;  J.  therefore 
sends  mr  Clay  some  stones  of  each  kind.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  memorandum.) 

Sent  to  Monticello.  Mar.  10.  06. 

Cucurbita  lagenarla. 
a bags  peas. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Sheffield  to  Jefferson.) 

Board  of  Agriculture 
Sackville  Street 
London 

March  24”*  i8o6. 

Sir 

On  the  receipt  of  a Box  containing  a small  Model  of  a Mould  Board 
which  in  consequence  of  a long  vacation,  was  not  received  till  late  in 
January,  it  was  referred  to  one  of  the  Members,  who  has  paid  particular 
attention  to  the  Subject.  His  report  is  extremely  favorable  & the  Board 
is  very  generally  satisfied,  that  the  Invention  is  important.  There  is  a 
beautiful  simplicity  in  the  means  of  uniformly  producing  the  same  re- 
sult; and  the  Theory  of  keeping  a fiat  surface  of  the  Mould  Board,  in 
contact  wiA  the  flat  bottom  of  the  Furrow  Slice,  is  certainly  just,  and 
entirely  applicable  to  all  Land  that  works,  as  the  Farmers  express  it, 
whole  Furrow.  But  there  are  some  doubts  whether  the  flatness  in  the 
front  of  the  Mould  Board,  while  it  rests  in  its  own  position,  will  not  be 


318 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1806 

attended  with  inconvenience  when  turning  a Furrow,  consisting  of  loose 
Mould.  As  we  are  much  interested  in  the  complete  success  of  this  In- 
vention, we  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  communication  of 
any  alterations,  or  improvements,  which  may  hereafter  be  made.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Apr.  21.  ’06. 

...  In  the  box  No.  4.  you  will  find  some  willow-oak  acorns,  peach 
stones,  & a little  more  of  the  Quarentine  corn  which  I had  there,  this 
last  you  will  add  to  our  former  stock  & plant  the  whole  as  I have 
formerly  directed,  put  only  a single  grain  in  every  hole  that  the  seed 
may  go  as  far  as  possible,  in  this  way  I think  you  may  have  enough  to 
plant  4.  or  5.  acres,  would  it  not  be  best  to  plant  it  in  your  new  ground, 
which  will  leave  your  old  ground  for  oats  & clover,  the  peach  stones 
Wormly  must  plant  in  the  nursery,  as  also  the  willow  oak  acorns,  the 
sooner  they  are  put  into  the  ground  the  better.  (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Charles  Coles  Claiborne.) 

Washington,  Ap.  27,  06. 

...  I thank  you  for  a bag  of  peccans  lately  received  from  you.  If 
you  could  think  of  me  in  the  autumn,  when  they  are  fresh,  they  will  al- 
ways be  very  acceptable,  partly  to  plant,  partly  for  table  use.  . . . 
(Ford,  Jefferson  10:  256.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Appleton.) 

Washington  April  29.  1806. 

[Jefferson  thanks  Mr.  Appleton  for]  the-  packages  of  trees,  cuttings, 
plants  ti  Seeds  [that  he  had  sent].  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  30“.  [April]  1806 

I have  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  friendly  note,  and  likewise  the 
seeds  you  were  so  good  as  to  send  me  by  M*’.  Duane,  for  which  I am 
extremely  obliged  to  you,  and  my  best  endeavors  shall  be  exerted  to 
render  these,  as  well  as  any  other  kinds  that  you  will  please  to  favour 
me  with  in  future,  useful  to  the  country. 

■ It  gives  me  much  pleasure  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  send  you  a few 
roots  of  the  Artemisia  Dracunculus,  or  Tarragon,  these  I forwarded  by 
yesterday’s  mail  and  hope  you  will  receive  them  in  good  condition ; they 
propagate  very  freely  and  abundantly  by  the  roots,  and  are  perfectly 
hardy,  requiring  no  additional  care  or  protection  in  winter.  Should 
those  forwarded  miscarry  I will  send  you  a small  box  of  them  in  a grow- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


319 


1806] 


ing  state,  and  you  cannot  confer  a greater  favour  on  me  than  to  let  me 
know  of  any  seeds  or  plants  which  you  would  be  desirous  of  obtaining, 
that  I might  have  the  pleasure  of  procuring  them  for  you,  if  possible. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  May  ii.  1806. 

. . . The  drought  here  is  distressing,  the  crop  of  oats  irrecoverably 
lost;  the  May  wheat  little  better;  common  wheat  tho’  backward  is 
healthy,  and  may  yet  do  well,  peaches  & cherries  are  almost  wholly  de^ 
stroyed.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  May  23,  06. 

...  At  length  we  have  had  a copious  rain.  It  continued  with  slight 
remissions  two  days  (Wed  & Thursday)  falling  moderately  so  that  the 
earth  is  saturated  without  raising  the  streams.  It  was  from  the  N.  E. 
and  has  cleared  up  cold,  the  wind  at  N.  & thermometer  50“.  . . . The 
above  was  written  yesterday  morning.  In  the  evening  it  recommenced 
raining,  continued  steadily  tho’  moderately  thro’  the  night,  and  still  con- 
tinues this  morning,  with  the  wind  at  N.  W.  The  earth  has  enough, 
but  more  is  wanting  for  the  springs  and  streams.  May  24,  7 o’clock 
A.  M.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  10:  268-269.) 


(Alexander  Hepburn  to  Jefferson.) 

City  of  Washington  June  la  i8o6. 
Thomas  Jefferson  President  of  the  United  States 

Debtor  to  A.  Hepburn  For  Trees 
Raised  at  his  Garden 


1 Apple  Peach 

5 Alberges  do  do  do  . . . . . 

34 vaga  Lady  Peach 

12 Soft  or  Clear  stone  do  . 

29 Teat  Peach 

18 ' St.  James  Peach  

20.  Magdelene  do  do  do  do 


Apricots  8.  Peach  Apricots  . 

I.  Angelic  

Plumbs  15.  Mirrable  Plumbs 
4.  Queens  Plumbs  . 


,12^ 

.624 

4-25 

1.50 
3.6ai 
2.2s 

2.50 
1.00 

.124 

1.87I 

•SO 


Received  the  above  amount. 


$i8.37i 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


320 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1806 

(Jefferson  to  Christian  Mayer.) 

June  20.  06. 

. . . The  parcel  of  Quarentine  corn,  for  which  I return  you  many 
thanks,  it  is  a present  of  real  value,  as  this  kind  of  corn  is  a timely  suc- 
cessor to  the  garden  pea,  on  our  tables,  where  we  esteem  it  as  much  as 
the  pea:  but  its  greater  value  is  to  furnish  early  subsistence  after  a year 
of  scarcity.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers j M.  H,  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  H.  Freeman.) 

Washington  June  28.  ’06. 

...  I remarked  the  day  before  I left  home  that  the  thorns  on  the 
North  hillside  were  very  foul.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers j M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Maury.) 

Washington  July  1.  06. 

. . . We  have  been  lately  alarmed  with  the  appearance  of  a caterpillar 
which  at  first  threatened  destruction  to  our  small  grain,  Indian  corn, 
tobacco  & grasses,  it  has  happily  however  disappeared  after  little  injury, 
we  are  now  gathering  in  one  of  the  most  plentiful  harvests  we  have  ever 
known,  of  tobacco  there  has  not  been  plants  enough  to  put  in  half  a 
crop,  this  proceeded  from  the  drought  of  the  spring.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(John  P.  Van  Ness  to  Jefferson.) 

July  5,  1806 

I take  the  liberty  of  sending  you  by  the  Bearer  two  worms  which  I 
took  this  afternoon  on  a lombardy  poplar  tree  standing  on  dry  ground, 
that  answers,  I think,  very  well  (although  the  colour  of  the  same  worm 
is  variegated  and  the  shades  of  the  two  are  different  from  each  other) 
the  description  of  the  reptile,  said  to  be  poisenous,  which  infests  these 
ornament^  trees.  As  this  subject  has  lately  excited  some  speculation,  I 
supposed  it  would  be  gratifying  to  you  to  observe  the  worm  particu- 
larly; and  therefore  trouble  you  with  this  communication  which  I beg 
you  will  be  so  obliging  as  to  excuse. 

N,  B.  A description  is  enclosed.  {Jefferson  Papers,  Missouri.) 

f 

(William  Hamilton  to  Jefferson.) 

• [Philadelphia]  The  Woodlands,  July  7,  1806 

It  was  not  until  my  return  from  an  excursion  of  some  days  that  I re- 
ceived your  favor  of  the  ao“*  ult.  with  the  quarantine  corn  which  ac- 
companied it.  will  you  be  so  good  as  to  accept  my  best  thanks  for  this 
mark  of  your  kind  attention.  . . . 

N.  3,  In  the  autumn  I intend  sending  you  if  I live  three  kinds  of  trees 
which  I think  you  will  deem  valuable  additions  to  your  garden  viz— 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


321 


1806] 

Gingko  biloba  or  China  Maidenhair  tree,  Broussenetia  papyrifera  vul- 
garly called  paper  mulberry  tree  & Mimosa  julibrisin  or  silk  tree  of 
Constantinople.  The  first  is  said  by  Kossmyler  [ ?]  to  produce  a good 
eatable  nut — the  3"“  in  the  bark  as  yields  a valuable  material  for  mak- 
ing paper  to  the  inhabitants  of  China,  Japan,  & the  East  Indies,  & for 
clothing  to  the  people  of  Otaheite  & other  South  Sea  Islands-^  the 
third  is  a beautiful  flowering  tree  at  this  time  in  its  highest  perfection, 
the  seeds  of  which  were  collected  on  the  shore  of  the  Caspian  Sea.  They 
are  all  hardy  having  for  several  years  past  borne  our  severest  weather  in 
the  open  ground  without  the  smallest  protection.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(John  Vaughan  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1806. 

[Mr.  Vaughan  sends  Jefferson  from]  F.  A.  Michaux  his  Voyage  Sc  a 
pamphlet  relative  to  American  Trees.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Bowdoin.) 

Washington,  July  10,  1806. 

. . . Our  crops  of  wheat  are  greater  than  have  ever  been  known,  and 
are  now  nearly  secured.  A caterpillar  gave  for  awhile  great  alarm,  but 
did  little  injury.  Of  tobacco,  not  half  a crop  has  been  planted  for  want 
of  rain;  and  even  this  half,  with  cotton  and  Indian  corn,  has  yet  many 
chances  to  run.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii:  I2i.) 

(Jefferson  to  F.  Andre  Michaux.) 

Washington  July  12.  ’06. 

[He  thanks  him  for  his  Travels  and  a pamphlet  on  trees.  Mentions 
that  he  has  his  father’s  Flora  Boreali-Americana  and  has  seen  his  work 
on  the  American  oaks,]  both  of  which  are  valuable  additions  to  our 
Botanical  libraries.  ( Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  July  Ia‘^  1806. 

My  being  from  home  a few  weeks  in  pursuit  of  plants  and  seeds  was 
the  cause  of  my  not  acknowledging  sooner,  the  favour  you  were  pleased 
to  confer,  in  sending  me  the  quarantine  corn,  which,  I have  no  doubt, 
will  become  a valuable  acquisition:  it  was  sown  in  my  absence,  on  the 
25^.  ult”.  and  is  now  about  20  inches  high. 

I take  the  liberty  of  requesting  your  acceptance  of  a few  Tulip  roots, 
the  bloom  of  which  I hope  will  give  you  satisfaction : they  may  remain 
in  the  state  I send  them  till  October,  and  be  then  planted  as  directed  on 
page  528  of  my  book.  I sincerely  wish  and  solicit  the  favour  of  your 
pointing  out  to  me  how  I can  oblige  you. 


322  Jeffersok’s  Garden  Book  [1806 

I am  desirous  to  know  if  the  Tarragon  plants  have  succeeded,  as,  if 
necessary,  I will  send  you  a further  supply. 

Prefixed  to  the  names  of  the  Tulips  you  will  find  the  following  marks, 
significant  of  the  Florist’s  divisions  of  the  family;  Bx  signifies  the  flower 
to  belong  to  the  Bizards,  Bj  to  the  Bybloemens,  I.  to  the  Incomparable 
Verports,  R,  to  Baguet  Rigauts.  t,  to  the  Rose  coloured  or  Cherry,  & 
P.  to  the  Primo  Baguets.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Washington  July  15.  06. 

I received  last  night  the  tulip  roots  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me, 
for  which  I return  you  my  thanks.  I shall  go  in  a week  to  Monticello, 
whither  I shall  [take]  them  & have  them  planted  in  proper  season.  . . . 
about  this  time  two  years  I shall  begin  to  collect  [plants]  for  that  place 
because  I shall  be  able  to  have  them  attended  to.  at  that  time  I shall 
avail  myself  with  pleasure  of  your  obliging  offer,  but  my  situation  there 
& taste,  will  lead  me  to  ask  for  curious  & hardy  trees,  than  flowers,  of 
the  latter  a few  of  those  remarkeable  either  for  beauty  or  fragrance  will 
be  the  limits  of  my  wishes.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  July  26.  1806. 

...  the  drought  in  this  quarter  is  successive  . . . but  there  is  a good 
deal  of  sickness  generally,  proceeding  from  the  abundance  of  stagnant 
pools  into  which  all  the  rivers,  creeks,  & branches  are  now  converted, 
even  the  Rivanna,  after  taking  out  the  water  for  my  little  toll  mill,  has 
not  as  much  left  as  would  turn  another,  the  shallows  in  the  river  are 
ail  dry,  & the  deep  parts  covered  with  a green  coat,  all  Charlottesville 
drinks  out  of  one  scanty  spring  which  is  constantly  muddy,  & more' 
springs  are  failing  daily,  people  come  for  bread  from  Amherst  & Han- 
over to  the  three  river  mills  we  have  in  this  neighborhood  to  wit,  mine, 
Wood’s  5 miles  & Magrudcr’s  10  miles  below,  we  grind  each  about  40 
barrels  aday.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Hamilton.) 

Washington  July  1806. 

Your  favor  of  the  7*“  came  duly  to  hand  and  the  plant  you  are  so 
good  as  to  propose  to  send  me  will  be  thankfully  rec''.  The  little 
Mimosa  Julibrisin  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me  the  last  year  is  flour- 
ishing. 1 obtained  from  a gardener  in  this  nbh^  [neighborhood]  a 
plants  of  the  paper  mulberry;  but  the  parent  plant  being  male,  we  are 
to  expect  no  fruit  from  them,  unless  your  [trees]  should  chance  to  be  of 
the  sex  wanted,  at  a future  day,  say  two  years  hence  I shall  ask  from 
you  some  seeds  of  the  Mimosa  Farnesiana  or  Nilotica,  of  which  you  were 
kind  enough  before  to  furnish  me  some,  but  the  plants  have  been  lost 
during  my  absence  from  home.  I remember  seeing  in  your  greenhouse 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


323 


1806] 

a plant  of  a couple  of  feet  height  in  a pot  the  fragrance  of  which  (from 
it’s  gummy  bud  if  I recollect  rightly)  was  peculiarly  agreeable  to  me 
and  you  were  so  kind  as  to  remark  that  it  required  only  a greenhouse, 
and  that  you  would  furnish  me  one  when  I should  be  in  a situation  to 
preserve  it.  but  it’s  naitie  has  entirely  escaped  me  & I cannot  suppose 
you  can  recollect  or  conjecture  in  your  vast  collection  what  particular 
plant  this  might  be.  I must  acquiese  therefore  in  a privation  whi^  my 
own  defect  of  memory  has  produced.  . . . 

Having  decisively  made  up  my  mind  for  retirement  at  the  end  of  my 
present  term,  my  views  and  attentions  are  all  turned  homewards.  I 
have  hitherto  been  engaged  in  my  buildings  which  will  be  finished  in  the 
course  of  the  present  year.  The  improvement  of  my  grounds  has  been 
reserved  for  my  occupation  on  my  return  home.  For  this  reason  it  is 
that  I have  put  off  to  the  fall  of  the  year  after  next  the  collection  of  such 
curious  trees  as  will  bear  our  winters  in  the  open  air. 

The  grounds  which  I destine  to  improve  in  the  style  of  the  English 
gardens  are  in  a form  very  difficult  to  be  managed.  They  compose  the 
northern  quadrant  of  a mountain  for  about  f of  its  height  & then 
spread  for  the  upper  third  over  its  whole  crown.  They  contain  about 
three  hundred  acres,  washed  at  the  foot  for  about  a mile,  by  a river  of 
the  size  of  the  Schuylkill.  The  hill  is  generally  too  steep  for  direct 
ascent,  but  we  make  level  walks  successively  along  it’s  side,  which  in  it’s 
upper  part  encircle  the  hill  & intersect  these  a^in  by  others  of  easy 
ascent  in  various  parts.  They  are  chiefly  still  in  their  native  woods, 
which  are  majestic,  and  very  generally  a close  undergrowth,  which  I 
have  not  suffered  to  be  touched,  knowing  how  much  easier  it  is  to  cut 
away  than  to  fill  up.  The  upper  third  is  chiefly  open,  but  to  the  South 
is  covered  with  a dense  thicket  of  Scotch  broom  (Spartium  scoparium 
Lin.)  which  being  favorably  spread  before  the  sun  will  admit  of  advan- 
tageous arrangement  for  winter  enjoyment.  You  are  sensible  that  this 
disposition  of  the  ground  takes  from  me  the  first  beauty  in  gardening, 
the  variety  of  hill  & dale,  & leaves  me  as  an  awkward  substitute  a few 
hanging  hollows  & ridges,  this  subject  is  so  unique  and  at  the  same  time 
refractory,  that  to  make  a disposition  analogous  to  its  character  would  re- 
quire much  more  of  the  genius  of  the  landscape  painter  & gardener  than 
I pretend  to.  I had  once  hoped  to  get  Parkins  to  go  and  give  me  some 
outlines,  but  I was  disappointed.  Certainly  I could  never  wish  your 
health  to  be  such  as  to  render  travelling  necessary;  but  should  a journey 
at  any  time  promise  improvement  to  it,  there  is  no  one  on  which  you 
would  be  received  with  more  pleasure  than  at  Monticello.  Should  I be 
there  you  will  have  an  opportunity  of  indulging  on  a new  held  some  of 
the  taste  which  has  made  the  Woodlands  the  only  rival  which  I have 
known  in  America  to  what  may  be  seen  in  England. 

Thither  without  doubt  we  are  to  go  for  models  in  this  art.  Their 
sunless  climate  has  permitted  them  to  adopt  what  is  certainly  a beauty 
of  the  very  first  order  in  landscajpe.  Their  canvas  is  of  open  ground, 
variegated  with  clumps  of  trees  distributed  with  taste.  They  need  no 
more  of  wood  than  will  serve  to  embrace  a lawn  or  a glade.  But  under 


3^4 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1806 

the  beaming,  constant  and  almost  vertical  sun  of  Virginia,  shade  is  our 
Elysium.  In  the  absence  of  this  no  beauty  of  the  eye  can  be  enjoyed. 
This  organ  must  yield  it’s  gratification  to  that  of  the  other  senses ; with- 
out the  hope  of  any  equivalent  to  the  beauty  relinquished.  The  only 
substitute  I have  been  able  to  imagine  is  this.  Let  your  ground  be 
covered  with  trees  of  the  loftiest  stature.  Trim  up  their  bodies  as  high 
as  the  constitution  & form  of  the  tree  will  bear,  but  so  as  that  their  tops 
shall  still  unite  & yeild  dense  shade.  A wood,  so  open  below,  will  have 
nearly  the  appearance  of  open  grounds.  Then,  when  in  the  open  ground 
you  would  plant  a clump  of  trees,  place  a thicket  of  shrubs  presenting  a 
hemisphere  the  crown  of  which  shall  distinctly  show  itself  under  the 
branches  of  the  trees.  This  may  be  effected  by  a due  selection  & ar- 
rangement of  the  shrubs,  & will  I think  offer  a group  not  much  inferior 
to  that  of  trees.  The  thickets  may  be  varied  too  by  making  some  of  them 
of  evergreens  altogether,  our  red  cedar  made  to  grow  in  a bush,  ever- 
green privet,  pyrocanthus,  Kalmia,  Scotch  broom.  Holly  would  be 
elegant  but  it  docs  not  grow  in  my  part  of  the  country. 

Of  prospect  I have  a rich  profusion  and  offering  itself  at  every  point  of 
the  compass.  Mountains  distant  & near,  smooth  & shaggy,  single  & in 
ridges,  a little  river  hiding  itself  among  the  hills  so  as  to  shew  in  lagoons 
only,  cultivated  grounds  under  the  eye  and  two  small  villages.  To  pre- 
vent a satiety  of  this  is  the  principal  difficulty.  It  may  be  successively 
offered,  & in  different  portions  through  vistas,  or  which  will  be  better, 
between  thickets  so  disposed  as  to  serve  as  vistas,  with  the  advantage  of 
shifting  the  scenes  as  you  advance  on  your  way. 

You  will  be  sensible  by  this  time  of  the  truth  of  my  information  that 
my  views  are  turned  so  steadfastly  homeward  that  the  subject  runs  away 
with  me  whenever  I get  on  it.  I sat  down  to  thank  you  for  kindnesses 
received,  & to  bespeak  permission  to  ask  further  contributions  from  your 
collection  & I have  written  you  a treatise  on  gardening  generally,  in 
which  art  lessons  would  come  with  more  justice  from  you  to  me.  {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C. ; and  Fiske  Kimball,  Jefferson's  Grounds  and  Gar- 
dens at  Monticello  (n.  d.)  ; 5-7.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Mary  Dangerfield.) 

Monticello  Aug.  10.  1806. 

. . . They  [negroes  hired  from  her  by  Jefferson]  have  been  engaged 
this  year  in  some  mill  works,  now  nearly  compleated.  the  next  year  they 
would  be  engaged  in  levelling  some  garden  grounds,  making  roads  and 
other  improvements  of  that  nature.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Oliver  Evans.) 

Monticello  Sept.  1.  06. 

. . . My  mills  will  be  going  in  October,  the  situation  is  one  of  the 
best  in  the  Union,  without  exception,  and  I am  in  want  of  a tenant  for 
them,  perhaps  it  may  lie  in  your  way  to  fall  in  with  some  one,  worthy 


Je^terson’s  Garden  Book 


1806] 


325 


of  being  received,  who  would  rent  them,  which  would  oblige  me.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Sept.  2.  ’06. 

. . . You  had  better  not  come  through  mr  Randolph’s  farm,  but 
keep  the  public  road  till  you  get  to  his  gate  opposite  Milton  & there  take 
the  Charlottesville  road,  and  half  a mile  further,  at  Johnson’s,  take  the 
left  hand  by  Shadwell  mills,  the  whole  road  after  that  is  fine,  and  the 
ford  made  perfectly  smooth,  the  road  by  Milton  is  very  hilly  & doubles 
the  distance,  the  one  by  the  mill  is  along  the  river  bank  to  the  foot  of 
the  mountain,  where  a new  road  gives  an  easy  ascent,  we  have  had  a 
divine  rain  yesterday  afternoon  & in  the  night.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 


(Nicholas  King  to  Jefferson.) 

Washington,  Sept.  11,  06. 

The  enclosed  seeds  were  found,  carefully  folded  up  in  a small  bag  of 
Chinese  paper,  & deposited  among  tea  of  the  last  importation.  ...  I 
take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  them  to  you,  than  whom  no  person  has  been 
more  zealous  to  enrich  the  United  States  by  the  introduction  of  new  and 
useful  vegetables.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

[Jefferson  replied  to  the  above  letter,  saying  that  he  would  take  the 
seeds  to  Washington  and  place  them  in  some  one’s  hand.] 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Moore.) 

Monticello  Sept.  16.  1806. 

...  I have  been  in  the  habit  myself  for  a long  time  of  noting  the 
temperature  of  the  air  a little  before  sunrise  & again  between  3 & 4 
P.  M.  these  giving  the  maximum  of  cold  & heat  in  a day  where  their 
progress  is  regular,  the  points  of  time  between  these  arc  uninteresting. 
I have  noted  at  the  same  time  the  state  of  the  weather  the  course  of  the 
wind  & occasionally  the  access  & recess  of  frost,  flowering  & leafing  of 
plants,  ripening  of  the  cultivated  fruits,  arrival  of  birds  & some  insects, 
their  hybernation  etc.  the  latter  articles  however  have  been  omitted  the 
last  five  years  because  my  situation  at  Washington  does  not  admit  of 
their  observation.  1 now  note  only  the  temperature,  weather  & wind, 
any  observations  you  make  or  procure  to  be  made  can  always  be  com- 
pared with  the  cotemporary  ones  I made  at  Washington  & Monticello. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  W.  A.  Burwell.) 

Monticello,  Sept.  17.  06. 

. . . Can  you  send  me  some  cones  or  seeds  of  the  cucumber  tree? 
(Ford,  Jefferson  10:  291.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


326 


[i8o6 


(Jefferson  to  Etienne  Lemaire.) 

Monticello  Sept.  25.  ’ofa. 

. . . John  Freeman  is  ill  now  for  the  s"*  day  of  a fever,  which  has  a.s 
yet  shewn  no  signs  of  abatement,  should  he  recover  even  quickly,  he 
will  be  too  weak  to  return  with  me.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Oct.  6.  06. 

. . . When  you  have  done  the  dam  & pier-head  before  you  go  to 
digging  at  the  mill,  you  should  take  a canoe  & go  down  the  canal,  sound- 
ing everywhere  to  see  if  there  is  no  place  choaked  with  mud.  I suspect 
there  is  from  the  circumstance  of  the  canoe’s  grounding  in  it.  it  should 
be  from  3.  to  4,  f.  deep  ( I forget  which)  every  where,  & any  obstruction 
found  in  it  should  be  cleared  out  before  it  is  too  cold. 

When  you  clean  up  the  South  orchard,  you  must  do  the  same  by  the 
North  orchard,  that  is  to  say,  all  the  ground  within  the  Thorn  hedge  on 
the  North  side  of  the  mountain.  I must  have  that  cultivated  the  next 
year  in  the  way  in  which  I shall  explain  when  I come  home  in  March. 

I must  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  get  a peck  of  the  acorns  of  the  ground 
oak,  to  make  Wormely  plant  half  of  them  in  a nursery  adjoining  the 
present  nursery,  & send  me  the  other  half  by  Davy,  to  be  forwarded  to  a 
friend  in  Europe,  the  oak  I mean  abounds  in  the  poor  lands  about 
Hieron  Gaines’s,  does  not  grow  above  3.  or  4.  f.  high,  & is  loaded  with 
acorns  shaped  like  chinquapins,  be  so  good  as  to  write  to  me  once  a fort- 
night informing  me  of  the  progress  in  our  work.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Oct.  19.  .06. 

...  I should  imagine  that  above  & near  the  New  road,  and  in  the 
clearing  you  have  to  make  in  the  river  field  you  would  find  rail  timber 
enough  for  the  fence  down  the  mountain,  should  you  not  however, 
you  must  get  it  where  it  is  most  convenient,  when  you  proceed  to  mend 
up  the  fence  which  incloses  the  house  & it’s  grounds,  you  will  find  a 
great  deal  of  timber  ready  fallen  in  that  indosure,  whidi  1 would  wish 
you  to  use  as  far  as  it  will  go,  before  you  cut  down  any  more  there,  as  I 
am  unwilling  to  have  a single  tree  fallen  in  that  indosure  which  can  be 
done  without,  might  not  the  lappings  of  the  trees  there  be  got  up  for 
coal  wood,  & made  into  a kiln  where  most  convenient?  . , , desire 
Stewart  to  send  me  immediatdy,  by  return  of  this  post,  the  list  of  the 
iron  wanting  for  the  mill,  two  mules  will  be  indispensably  necessary 
for  Davy’s  cart,  when  he  comes  here,  as  he  will  have  a smart  load  back; 
& the  cart  shoiild  be  made  strong  every  where.  I would  not  have  you 
stop  any  property  of  mf  Freeman’s.  I do  not  believe  him  capable  of 
taking  away  any  thing  of  mine  without  accounting  for  it.  the  ill-will 
of  the  negroes  to  their  overseer  is  always  such,  & their  regard  to  truth 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


327 


1806] 

so  doubtful  as  not  to  justify  our  suspecting  a man  of  honest  character, 
if  mf  Freeman  has  taken  anything  of  mine,  I am  sure  I shall  see  it  in  his 
account.  . . . will  you  be  able  to  buy  in  the  neighborhood  as  many  Irish 
potatoes  as  will  plant  the  whole  of  the  North  orchard,  & what  price  must 
you  pay?  according  to  your  answer  I will  determine  whether  it  will  be 
better  to  get  them  here.  I wish  you  to  keep  an  exact  account  of  all  the 
grain  the  mill  gets  that  we  may  be  able  to  know  another  year  for  how 
much  we  may  depend  on  her.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Washington  Nov.  27.  06. 

. . . P.  S.  Mrs.  Nourse  has  just  sent  a bundle  of  Wall  flowers  for 
you,  with  these  there  are  some  tussocks  of  Peruvian  grass  she  sent  me, 
& which  I will  ask  Anne  to  take  care  of  till  March,  when  I will  carry 
them  to  Monticello.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Dec.  8.  06. 

I enclose  you  700.  Dollars,  of  which  be  pleased  to  pay  to  James  Walker 
100.  D.  John  Perry  loo.  D.  W™.  Maddox  50,  D.  and  there  will  re- 
main 450.  D.  for  your  corn,  fodder  & pork,  which  you  must  pay  out  as 
you  find  most  necessary,  & let  me  know  what  will  then  remain  due  for 
these  articles  & it  shall  be  remitted  about  this  time  next  month,  after 
getting  all  the  coal  wood  you  can  on  the  Meadow  branch  I should  think 
it  most  convenient  to  get  the  rest  on  the  high  mountain  as  near  the 
Thoroughfare  as  you  can.  I think  there  is  a great  deal  of  fallen  chest- 
nut on  that  mountain  which  will  make  better  coal  than  the  green  wood, 
there  is  a good  deal  also  within  the  inclosure  of  the  house  at  Monticello 
on  the  North  side  of  the  hill,  we  must  use  a good  deal  of  economy  in 
our  wood,  never  cutting  down  new,  where  we  can  make  the  old  do.  I 
should  think  you  might  get  the  rails  for  the  upper  end  ^ your  long 
fence  on  the  high  mountain  also,  about  2.  or  300.  yds  above  the 
Thoroughfare  gate  there  is  a left  hand  roundabout  road  ,*  pursuing  that 
there  is  a 2^  left  hand  going  to  the  Secretary’s  ford,  which  is  to  be 
avoided,  still  pursuing  the  road  on  the  level  to  a 3^  left  hand  which 
descends  to  the  Stone  spring,  and  from  that  goes  on  to  the  new  road,  in 
this  way  rails  may  be  carried  from  the  high  mountain.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  Huntington.) 

(James  Walker  to  Jefferson.) 

Shadwell  Detf.  la  1806 

This  comes  to  inform  you  of  the  present  state  of  things  about  your 
Mills,  in  the  first  place  Mr.  Bacon  has  varied  very  much  from  your 
directions  with  regard  to  the  diging  and  making  safe  every  thing  about 
the  Mill  and  the  waste  in  the  side  of  the  canal,  the  diging  about  the 


328 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1806 

Mill  house  is  not  near  completed  nor  is  the  banks  of  the  canal,  and  but 
little  done  to  the  waste,  the  stem  is  drawn  oif  of  the  gate  at  the  dam  not 
being  half  pinned  on  by  Mr.  Perry,  the  wast  and  canal  banks  not 
being  done  and  the  water  keeping  up  so  high  that  we  are  affraid  to  take 
out  the  gate  to  adjust  it  as  it  could  not  be  got  in  again  before  the  water 
would  overflow  the  bank  at  the  mill,  the  weather  at  this  time  is  too 
bad  to  do  any  thing  towards  it.  Mr.  Bacon  had  time  enough  to  com- 
plete every  thing  about  the  mill  before  bad  weather  set  in  which  I pressed 
to  do  but  in  vain,  he  took  the  negroes  off  to  getting  rails  & wood  the 
probability  is  that  the  Mill  will  not  be  completed  this  winter  in  conse- 
quence of  these  delays  & others  we  are  obliged  to  be  very  watchful -to 
keep  the  dirting  about  the  Mill  from  washing  away.  Maddox  has  done 
but  little  since  you  left  home.  I hardly  suppose  the  addition  to  the 
Toal  mill  will  be  finished  this  winter.  Perry  has  got  timber  for  it  but 
says  he  cant  get  it  hailed.  Stewart  has  disappointed  us  very  much  in 
the  balance  of  the  Irons.  I have  taken  many  methods  to  get  them  done 
but  all  to  no  purpose,  we  have  not  got  the  spindle  for  the  first  pare  of 
stones  as  yet  also  some  other  Irons  for  scales  & packing  Machine,  but 
am  in  hopes  of  gettin  them  next  Monday  or  Tuesday,  the  Mill  on  my 
part  was  ready  all  to  the  Irons  above  mentioned  the  26  of  Nov''  and 
might  have  begun  to  grind  the  I have  done  all  that  I can  do  to- 

wards the  starting  the  other  pare  of  stones  untill  I get  Irons,  am  now 
at  work  about  the  alteration  in  toal  mill  and  expect  to  be  stopped  for 
want  of  Irons  as  with  the  other  mill,  should  Stewart  disappoint  us  as 
he  has  done  I think  it  will  be  better  to  get  Isaac  to  do  some  of  the  work 
Se  let  Stewart  do  the  most  difficult  jobs.  Mr.  Shoemaker  has  been  here 
sometime  & seeing  the  prospect  so  gloomy  is  getting  out  of  patience  and 
unless  the  weather  modersites  so  that  the  canal  can  be  made  safe  enough 
to  let  in  water  he  talks  of  returning  back  to  Washington  and  not  having 
anything  to  do  with  the  Mill,  he  expects  his  Miller  on  every  day  and 
says  he  cannot  afford  to  be  on  expenses  here  all  winter  & nothing  coming 
in  he  seems  anxious  to  be  at  business  & if  we  can  get  the  Mill  in  tolerable 
order  will  be  satisfied  for  this  season.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Dec^  26“’'.  1806 

It  is  painful  to  me  to  trouble  you  at  this  period  when  you  are  so  much 
occupied  with  the  important  affairs  of  the  Nation;  but  your  goodness  I 
hope  will  excuse  my  anxiety  to  procure  some  seeds  of  the  indigenous 
plants  of  the  western  parts  of  America,  if  you  received  such  from  Capri. 
Lewis  on  his  return.  A small  portion  of  every  kind  you  could  con- 
veniently spare  would  greatly  oblige  me  and  perhaps  render  me  essential 
service;  and  it  would  be  of  some  importance  to  get  them  as  soon  as  you 
could  make  it  convenient  to  have  them  forwarded,  that  each  kind  might 
be  treated  according  to  its  apparent  nature,  and  different  methods  tried 
to  effect  its  successful  propagation  with  the  greater  degree  of  certainty, 
especially  the  nondescripts,  if  any. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


329 


1806] 

Of  the  Cucurbita  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me,  some  grew  to  the 
length  of  five  feet  five  inches.  I have  one  of  them  now  in  my  shop 
window,  perfectly  dry,  which  is  five  feet  one  inch  long,  perfectly  straight 
and  in  every  part  about  four  inches  in  diameter;  they  are  excellent  to 
use  as  squashes  while  young. 

The  quarantine  Corn,  was  with  me  fit  for  the  table,  in  fifty  days  after 
sowing;  our  last  summer  was  colder  than  usual,  or  it  probably  would 
have  been  fit  for  use  in  forty  days ; however,  it  is  a great  acquisition  and 
highly  deserving  of  cultivation  for  the  early  part  of  the  season.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Dec.  28.  1806. 

...  I pray  you  to  arrange  your  work  so  as  to  spare  your  whole  force 
to  be  at  work  in  levelling  the  garden  from  the  io“*  of  March  to  the  last 
of  April  while  I shall  be  at  home.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

From  the  Account  Book  1804-1808; 

May  24.  rec*.  by  T.  M.  Randolph  from  Gabriel  Lilly  1.375  the  bal- 
ance due  me  at  his  departure. 

June  17.  p*  A.  Hepburn  for  trees  18.375. 

June  28.  p'‘  Holt  garden  seeds.  13.18. 

June  28.  p"  Maine,  thorn  plants  60. 

Oct.  I.  left  with  John  Freeman  for  his  expenses  to  Washington  6.  D. 

Oct.  1.  left  with  Edm"  Bacon  for  expenses  of  Davy  & Fanny  to 

Washington  6.  D. 

Nov.  22.  gave  Davy  for  expenses  back  to  Monticello  6.  D, 


iSof.*  Jefferson,  feeling  the  increasingly  onerous  re- 
sponsibilities of  his  official  position,  again  expressed  his  old 
desire  to  retire  to  the  loveliness  and  quiet  of  Monticello  and 
his  family.  On  January  13  he  wrote  to  his  old  friend,  John 
Dickinson : 

I have  tired  you,  my  friend,  with  a long  letter.  But  your  tedium  will 
end  in  a few  lines  more.  Mine  has  yet  two  years  to  endure.  I am 
tired  of  an  office  where  I can  do  no  more  good  than  many  others,  who 
would  be  glad  to  be  employed  in  it.  To  myself,  personally,  it  brings 
nothing  but  unceasing  drudgery  and  daily  loss  of  friends.  Every  office 
becoming  vacant,  every  appointment  made,  me  donne  un  ingratj  et  cent 
ennemis.  My  only  consolation  is  in  the  belief  that  my  fellow  citizens  at 
large  give  me  credit  for  good  intentions.  I will  certainly  endeavor  to 
merit  the  continuance  of  that  good-will  which  follows  well-intended 
actions,  and  their  approbation  will  be  the  dearest  reward  I can  carry  into 
retirement.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii:  137.) 

The  Aaron  Burr  trial,  which  opened  on  March  30,  in  Rich- 
mond, Virginia,  certainly  did  not  lessen  the  desire  to  retire 
from  public  office.  The  trial  continued  through  the  summer 
and  was  finally  brought  to  a close  on  October  20.  Burr  was 
acquitted.  The  attack  on  the  American  ship,  Chesapeake,  off 
the  Capes  of  Virginia,  and  the  strained  relations  with  Eng- 
land, were  problems  which  also  gave  Jefferson  much  concern. 

During  the  Burr  trial  Jefferson  visited  Monticello  twice. 
The  spring  visit  was  made  from  April  ii  to  May  13.  The 
summer  visit  lasted  from  August  4 to  October  i. 

The  spring  visit  is  of  special  interest  because  it  was  during 
Jefferson’s  stay  at  Monticello  that  he  sketched,  laid  out,  and 
planted  the  oval  and  round  flower  beds  around  the  house. 
(See  plate  XXIII.)  For  some  unaccountable  reason  Jefferson 
sketched  the  plan  for  the  beds  in  a Weather  Memorandum 
Book,  which  he  had  used  partly  for  weather  records  since 
1776,  rather  than  in  the  Garden  Book.  In  the  same  book  he 
placed  most  of  his  planting  diary  for  the  year,  again  failing  to 

* This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

r 330 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


331 


1807] 

enter  anything  in  the  Garden  Book  or  in  the  Farm  Book,  The 
diary  in  the  weather  book,  stray  memoranda  (chiefly  to  Bacon, 
the  overseer) , the  account  book  for  the  year,  and  numerous 
letters,  show  this  to  have  been  the  most  active  planting  year 
since  the  early  days  of  Monticello.  It  appears  that  he  was 
working  feverishly  to  get  his  mountaintop  ready  for  his  re- 
tirement. 

The  plan  of  the  flower  beds,  referred  to  above,  was  the  first 
one  drawn  which  Jefferson  actually  laid  out  and  planted  with 
flowers.  Jefferson  had  drawn  a plan  for  formal  beds  near 
the  house  as  early  as  1772,  but  there  is  no  indication  that  the 
plan  was  executed.  (See  plate  III.)  Jefferson,  having  de- 
cided definitely  to  retire  at  the  end  of  his  present  term,  evi- 
dently wished  this  part  of  his  general  landscaping  plans  to  be 
well  advanced. 

On  June  7 Jefferson  wrote  to  his  granddaughter  Anne,  de- 
scribing the  new  winding  walk  and  flower  borders  he  proposed 
laying  out  on  the  broad  lawn  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  On  the 
back  of  the  letter  he  drew  a sketch  of  his  plans.  The  walk 
and  borders  were  not  laid  out  until  1808.  (See  letter,  Jeffer- 
son to  Anne  Randolph,  June  7,  1807;  also  plate  XXIV.) 

Minor  work  was  done  on  the  main  house,  and  considerable 
work  on  the  South  Pavilion  and  Offices.  The  Indian  Hall, 
which  was  the  entrance  hall  to  the  house,  was  fast  becoming 
filled  with  Indian  relics,  bones,  rocks,  and  minerals.  It  was 
to  become  a show  place  for  visitors  in  his  retirement. 

The  mill  presented  its  usual  problem.  It  was  still  uncom- 
pleted, although  James  Walker,  the  builder,  seems  to  have 
done  his  part  in  trying  to  finish  it.  Mr.  Jonathan  Shoemaker 
was  the  tenant. 

During  this  period  Jefferson  carried  on  an  interesting  corre- 
spondence with  his  eldest  grandchildren.  Their  letters  are 
filled  with  talks  about  flowers  and  planting  plans.  Jefferson 
depended  on  Anne  Randolph,  his  oldest  grandchild,  to  attend 
to  -the  flowers  when  she  was  at  Monticello. 

Two  honors  came  to  Jefferson  this  year  which  gave  him 
much  pleasure.  The  first  was  his  reelection,  once  again,  to 
the  presidency  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society;  the 
other  was  his  receiving  a gold  medal  for  his  “mouldboard  of 
least  resistance”  from  the  Agricultural  Society  of  Paris,  On 
receiving  notice  of  his  reelection  to  the  presidency  of  the  Philo- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1807 

sophical  Society,  he  wrote  to  the  Judges  of  Election,  January 

12; 

I am  again  to  return  the  tribute  of  my  thanks  for  the  continued  proofs 
of  favor  from  the  American  Philosophical  Society ; and  I ever  do  it  with 
sincere  gratitude,  sensible  it  is  the  effect  of  their  good  will,  and  not  of 
any  services  I have  it  in  my  power  to  render  them.  I pray  you  to  convey 
to  them  these  expressions  of  my  dutiful  acknowledgments,  and  to  accept 
yourselves  thanks  for  the  favorable  terms  in  which  your  letter  of  the  ad 
instant  announces  the  suffrage  of  the  Society. 

I am  happy  at  the  same  time  to  greet  them  on  the  safe  return  of-  a 
valuable  member  [Meriwether  Lewis]  of  our  fraternity,  from  a journey 
of  uncommon  length  and  peril.  He  will  ere  long  be  with  them,  and 
present  them  with  the  additions  he  brings  to  our  knowledge  of  the  ge- 
ography and  natural  history  of  our  country,  from  the  Mississippi  to  the 
Pacific.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii:  133-134.) 

He  wrote  the  following  letter  on  May  29  to  M.  Silvestre, 
Secretary  of  the  Society  of  Agriculture  of  Paris,  on  receiving 
the  gold  medal: 

I have  received,  through  the  care  of  General  Armstrong,  the  medal  of 
gold  by  which  the  society  of  agriculture  of  Paris  have  been  pleased  to 
mark  their  approbation  of  the  form  of  a mould-board  which  I had  pro- 
posed; also  the  four  first  volumes  of  their  memoirs,  and  the  informa- 
tion that  they  had  honored  me  with  the  title  of  foreign  associate  to  their 
society.  I receive  with  great  thankfulness  these  testimonies  of  their 
favor,  and  should  be  happy  to  merit  them  by  greater  services.  Attached 
to  agriculture  by  inclination,  as  well  as  by  a conviction  that  it  is  the  most 
useful  of  the  occupations  of  man,  my  course  of  life  has  not  permitted  me 
to  add  to  its  theories  the  lessons  of  practice.  I fear,  therefore,  I shall  be 
to  them  but  an  unprofitable  member,  and  shall  have  little  to  offer  of 
myself  worthy  their  acceptance.  Should  the  labors  of  others,  however, 
on  this  side  of  the  water,  produce  anything  which  may  advance  the  ob- 
jects of  their  institution,  I shall  with  great  pleasure  become  the  instru- 
ment of  its  communication,  and  shall,  moreover,  execute  with  zeal  any 
orders  of  the  society  in  this  portion  of  the  globe.  I pray  you  to  express 
to  them  my  sensibility  for  the  distinctions  they  have  been  pleased  to 
confer  on  me,  and  to  accept  yourself  the  assurances  of  my  high  considera- 
tion and  respect.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii;  212—213.) 

From  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book  iyj6-i82o: 

Note  the  order  of  the  terrasses  below  the  garden  wall  is  as  follows. 

the  fig  terras  next  to  the  wall,  then 

the  walk  terras. 

the  strawberry  terras, 

t‘*.  terras  of  the  vineyard  & so  on  to  the 

the  i8'N  terras  of  the  vineyard  is  occupied  chiefly  by  trees. 

the  ig*.  is  Bailey’s  ally. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1807] 


333 


Mar.  25.  S.  W.  vineyard,  at  S.  W.  end  of  i®‘.  terras  planted  2. 
Malaga  grape  vines.  Maine, 
at  N.  E.  end.  i“‘.  terras  12  black  Hamburgh 


grape  vines  from 

2^ 12.  red  d“.  Main 

3^ 10.  white  Frontignac.  planted 

4^** 20.  Chasselas.  ’ only 

S*** 3.  Muscadine.  in 

II.  Brick  coloured  grapes.  vacancies. 

y**" 10.  Black  cluster  grapes. 


N,  E.  vineyard,  beginning  at  S.  W.  end  of  it,  & planting  only  in 
vacancies 

i’^  terras.  6.  plants  of  Seralamanna  grapes  11.  cuttings 
from  them. 


2” 

. 1 3.  cuttings  of  the  same,  or  Piedm*  Malmsy 
.13.  Piedmont  Malmesy.  or  Seralamana 

3“ 

4“ 

. I.  Smyrna  without  seeds. 

5"* 

. 7.  Galetlas. 

6*'* 

. 7.  Queen’s  grapes. 

^th 

. 5.  Great  July  grapes 

8’“ 

. 6.  Tokay 

gth 

.13.  Tokay. 

lO”* 

.13.  Trebbiano 

1 1’" 

.17.  Lachrima  Christi. 

12”* 

, 6.  San  Giovetto. 

13”’ 

.13.  Abrostine  white 

14“' 

.21.  d“  . . . red  or  Aleaticos 

15"* 

.15.  Aleatico.  or  Abrostine  red. 

lb*" 

.13.  Margiano. 

17**' 

.15.  Mamsnole. 

S.  W.  vineyard. 

N.  E.  end.  g”*.  terras  4.  Tokays,  same  as  9*" 

N.  E.  Vineyard. 

lo”* 

. 6.  'I'rebbianos.  same  as  of  N.  1C. 

1 1*" 

. 3.  Lachrima  Christi,  same  as  ii”*.  of  N.  E. 

Apr.  II.  Nursery,  begun  in  bed  next  the  pales,  on  the  lower  side, 
where  Gen’.  Jackson's  peaches  end  to  wit  within  2.  f.  of  the 
4*'*.  post  from  the  S.  E.  corner. 

N®.  I.  Quercus  coccifera.  Prickly  Kermcs 
oalc,  3.  cross  rows. 

2.  Vitex  Agnus  castus.  Chaste-trees.  faux  jg^a 

Poioricr.  9.  rows  DogV 

3.  Cedrus  Libani.  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  2.  Qouau  at 

Montpelier. 

4.  Citisus  Laburnum  of  the  Alps.  2.  rows. 

5.  Lavathera  Albia,  the  shrub  Marshmallow. 

2.  rows. 

1807.  Apr.  15.  16.  18.  30.  planted  & sowed  flower  beds  as  above 
[plate  XXIII]. 

April  16.  planted  as  follovre. 


334 


Jeffbrsok’s  Garden  Book  [1807 


13.  Paper  mulberries 
6.  Horse  chestnuts 
4.  Taccamahac  poplars 
4.  purple  beach 
4.  Kobinia  hispida 
4.  Choak  cherries 

3.  Mountain  ash.  Sorbus 

Aucuparia 

4.  Xanthoxylon 
I.  Red  bud 


N.  E. 

S.  E. 

clump 

clump 

4. 

4. 

3 

3 

t 

I 

I 

1 

I 

I 

I 

S.  W. 


|N.  W. 
clump 


the  above  were  from  Maine  except  5 horse  chestnuts  from 
nursery  & the  Redbud 

planted  same  day  I.  Fraxinella  in  center  of  N.  W.  shrub 

circle  from 

•1.  Gelder  rose  in  d®.  of  N.  E.  d®.  Maine’s 
I.  d".  in  d®.  of  S.  E.  d®. 

I.  Laurodendron  in  margin  of  S.  W.  d®  from  the 
nursery 

planted  also  10.  willow  oaks  in  N.  W.  brow  of  the  slope,  to  wit  from 
the  N.  Pavilion  round  to  near  the  setting  stones  at  S.  W.  end 
of  level. 

and  13.  Wild  crabs  from  the  S.  to  the  N.  pavilion  near  the 
brow  of  the  slope. 

*Viburnum  opulus  rosea. 

Apr.  17.  planted  3.  Robinia  hispida  Sc  2.  choak  cherries  on  the  S.  W. 
slope. 

20.  Weymouth  pines  on  the  slope  by  the  Aspen  thicket. 
In  the  Nursery,  began  at  the  N.  W.  corner  St  extended  rows 
from  N.  W.  to  NE.  & planted 

iK'  iOO-  paccans. 

a*,  d®.  18  I.  from  that 

3^.  d® Gloucester  hiccory  nuts  from  Roanoke. 

4.*,  d".  d®.  from  Roanoke,  79  in  all.  6.  d®.  from 

Osages.  3.  scarlet  beans. 

5t)>,  a bed  of  4.  f wide,  3 drills,  globe  artichoke,  red. 

6'’'.  ad®.  . . . d® I green 

Apr.  18.  7*.  a bed.  Cooper’s  pale  green  asparagus.  5.  rows  [?] 

feet  long,  a seed  every  6.  1. 

at  N.  £.  end  of  same  bed  14.  Ricara  beans  very  for- 
ward, 

8^.  a bed  36.  f.  long.  2.  rows  & about  8 f.  of  a 3^  say 
60  f.  Missouri  great  Salsafia.  I30  seeds  6.  I.  apaitf 

f As  stated  elsewhere,  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book  as  a whole  is 
in  the  Library  of  Congress.  However,  the  matter  quoted  down  to  this 
point  is  from  a detached  sheet  (comprising  pages  51-52)  now  in  the 
Dreer  Collection  at  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 


PiiATE  XXIV. — JefferBOft’s  plan  of  the  winding  or  Rmu^d-dbout  JFiUk,  flower 
borders,  and  beds,  1807.  The  flower  beds  were  laid  out  and  plant^  in  April,  1807, 
The  winding  walk  and  flower  borders  were  not  laid  out  and  planted  until  1808.  See 

?lates  XXIIL  XXV,  and  letter,  Jefferson  to  Anne  Randolph,  June  7, 1807,  (J^etson 
*»pirs,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


335 


1807] 


the  following  i$  the  list  of  the  flowers  planted  & sowed  on  the  preceding 
page.  [See  Jefferson’s  Plan  of  the  Round  and  Oval  Flower  Beds,  1807 
(pi.  XXIII),  which  is  the  page  just  referred  to  above.] 

Dianthus  Chinensis  China  pink 

Caryophyllus  Sweet  William  [Single  carnation] 
barbatus  Single  carnation  [Sweet  William] 

Glaucium  Yellow  horned  Poppy 
Ixia  Chinensis 
Jeffersonia  binata. 

Lathyrus  latifolius.  Everlasting  pea 
flowering  pea  of  Arkansa.  from  Cap^  Lewis. 

Lavatera  Thuringica. 

Lilly,  the  yellow  of  the  Columbia,  it’s  root  a food  of  the  natives. 
Lobelia  Cardinalis  Scarlet  Cardinal’s  flower. 

Lychnis  Chalcedonica.  Scarlet  Lychnis 
Papaver  Rhoeas  flor.  plen.  double  Poppy 
Physalis  Alkekcngi.  European  winter  cherry 


50  Ranunculuses,  double 

24.  Polyanthus  tuberosa.  double 

5,  double  pink  hyacinths  1 

10.  double  yellow  d®.  I 

6.  double  white  d®.  | in  one  bed 

6,  double  blue  d®.  J 

ao.  tulips 

6.  Amaryllis  formosissima 

24.  double  anemones 


I roots 


Apr.  19. 


20. 


21. 


planted  9.  Philadelphus  coronarius,  Mock  orange  in  the  4. 
circular  beds  of  shrubs  at  the  4.  corners  of  the  house, 
planted  among  the  old  cherry  trees  in  the  S'*.  & 4"’,  rows 
4.  cherry  trees  from  Col®.  Coles,  to  wit  Carnations  May- 
dukes. 

planted  the  following  trees  from  Timothy  Matlack,  see  his 
list  of  Mar.  14.  description.  [See  letter,  Timothy  Matlack 
to  Jefferson,  February  25,  1807.] 


h,  (almond  row)  N.  E. 
of  Vineyard 


g.  (Apricot  row)  d®. 


fN®,  I. 

2. 

3- 


S- 

6. 


Carolina  Canada  peach, 
clingstone. 

two  Oldmixon  peaches, 
the  Mammoth  peach, 
clingstone. 

the  Oldmixon  freestone 
peach  (supposed  Madeira) 

the  lady’s  favorite,  lately 
imported  from  France. 
The  Italian  Redstone  im- 
ported by  Ro[bert]  Mor- 
ris. 

the  Moore  park  Apricot 


336 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1807 

f.  (Quince  row)  d“.  8.  the  Italian  white  freestone. 

import®,  by  Rob.  Morris. 

Note,  they  were  in  the  places  of  dead  trees.  N".  1.  2.  3. 
4.  run  from  S.  W.  to  N.  E.  7.  5-  6,  d“.  in  this  order. 

m.  (Pear  row)  Sickel's  pear,  no  N“.  blank. 

N®.  II.  the  Richmond  pear. 

6.  plants  of  Purple  Syrian  grape  from  Twickenham, 
upper  row  of  S.  W.  vineyard  at  the  N.  E.  end. 

Apr.  24.  sowed  liburnum  in  the  6.  circular  beds  of  shrubs,  also  put 
into  each  i.  or  2,  seeds  of  the  honeysuckle  of  Lewis’s  river, 

27.  planted  il.  Kentucky  coffee  seeds  in  the  upper  row  of  the 
nursery  contin®  N.  E.  by  2.  f.  from  pales,  also  some  seeds 
of  a tree  from  Kentucky,  said  to  be  handsome,  but  name  for- 
gotten by  mrs  Lewis,  also  Clematis  or  Virgin's  bower  seeds 
about  the  3.  springs  on  & near  the  road  from  the  river  up 
to  the  house  & at  the  Stone  spring. 

29.  planted  a sod  of  Peruvian  grass  15  I.  square  in  the  North 
corner  of  the  Nursery. 

30.  planted  6.  scarlet  Alpine  strawberry  roots  from  M®.Mahon 
on  the  lower  side  of  the  Peruvian  tussock,  within  a few 
inches.  [See  letter,  McMahon  to  Jefferson,  April  2,  1807.] 

May  I.  planted  90.  Antwerp  raspberries  from  M'.Mahon  in  the  6. 

upper  raspberry  terrasses.  [See  letter,  McMahon  to  Jeffer- 
son, April  2,  1807.] 

planted  Pani  corn  in  the  orchard  and  Quarantine  corn  in  the 
Riverfield. 

Aug.  II.  ray  Quarentine  corn  planted  May  i.  gave  rosten  ears  in 
the  last  week  of  June,  being  about  8.  weeks,  it  is  now  dry 
enough  to  grind,  to  wit  3J  months. 

ray  Pani  corn  planted  the  same  day  was  a week  or  fortnight 
later,  but  Shoemaker  planted  Pani  corn  about  the  2®.  week 
of  May,  & had  rosten  ears  the  last  week  of  June,  7 weeks 
exactly,  he  sais  from  planting,  but  by  dates  it  seems  less, 
mf  Randolph’s  Mandan  corn  planted  10  days  before  my 
Quarentine  & Pani,  yielded  rosten  ears  the  4***.  of  July,  it  is 
now  ht  to  grind,  an  ear  of  Mandan  corn  which  I gave  him, 
planted  May  15.  gave  rosten  ears  a few  days  only  later  than 
that  planted  Apr.  20. 

Aug.  12.  Tuberoses  blossom. 

Sep.  29.  traced  a road  going  level  from  the  Thoroughfare  towards 
Colle  3530.  f.  & then  descending  1.  foot  in  10.  1600.  feet  to 

the  branch  at  the  foot  of  the  stony  hill  on  this  side  Colle, 
which  branch  proceeds  from  the  Northernmost  of  the  2. 
springs  corners  between  the  Colle  Sc  Monticello  tracts. 


Jepferson’s  Garden  Book 


337 


1807] 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1807 


(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Washington  Jan.  6.  07. 

I received  in  due  time  your  letter  of  Dec.  26.  but  it  has  been  impos- 
sible for  me  to  answer  it  sooner.  Cap*  Lewis  has  brought  a consider- 
able number  of  seeds  of  plants  peculiar  to  the  countries  he  has  visited. 
I have  recommended  to  him  to  confide  principal  shares  of  them  to  mr 
Hamilton  of  the  Woodlands  & yourself,  as  the  persons  most  likely  to 
take  care  of  them,  which  he  will  accordingly  do.  he  will  carry  them  on 
to  Philadelphia  himself. 

The  tulip  roots  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me,  I planted  at  Monti- 
cello  last  autumn.  I intend  to  go  there  the  first  week  in  March  in  order 
to  commence  planting  out  some  things  to  be  in  readiness  for  my  kitchen 
& flour  gardens  two  years  hence,  a small  cart  will  come  here  for  such 
articles  as  I collect  here,  chiefly  trees,  but  there  are  several  articles  for 
the  selection  of  which  I would  rather  ask  the  assistance  of  your  judgment 
than  that  of  any  other.  I note  them  at  the  foot  of  my  letter,  if  you 
could  be  so  good  as  to  furnish  me  with  them  you  would  greatly  oblige 
me.  seeds  & bulbs  can  be  so  packed  as  to  come  with  perfect  safety  by 
the  stage,  the  best  conveyance  to  this  place  because  we  can  command 
it  at  all  times,  whether  tuberous  & fibrous  roots  can  come  success- 
fully in  moss  or  any  thing  else  not  too  bulky,  you  are  the  best  judge, 
to  give  them  the  better  chance  they  will  be  safest  with  you  till  about 
the  ES***.  of  February,  your  bill  for  their  amount  shall  be  immediately 
provided  for  by  remittance.  . . . 


best  Globe  artichoke 

Antwerp  raspberry 

Alpine  strawberry 

Lillies  of  a few  of  the  best  kinds 

Tuberose 

Crown  Imperials 

Anemone 


Auricula 

Ranunculus 

Hyacinths 

Sweet  William  (Dianthus) 

Wallflower 

Marigold 

Saffron 


{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 
[Sent  to  Monticello  by  Jefferson]  Jan.  7.  07. 

Missouri  hominy  corn 
soft  corn 

Pani  6.  weeks  corn, 
g.  nuts  from  Missouri 
2.  boxes  d®.  from  Roanoke. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Clay.) 

Washington,  January  il,  1807. 

...  I had  hoped  to  keep  the  expenses  of  my  office  within  the  limits 
of  its  salary,  so  as  to  apply  my  private  income  entirely  to  the  improve- 


338  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1807 

Blent  and  enlargement  of  my  estate;  but  I have  not  been  able  to  do  it. 

. . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  il:  132.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Jan.  u.  07. 

...  I wish  you  to  keep  a very  exact  account  of  all  the  toll  the  mill 
recieves,  for  a whole  year  that  we  may  know  hereafter  what  yearly 
dependance  to  place  on  her.  I remind  you  to  have  all  pressing  jobs  done 
before  I come  home  that  I may  have  all  the  hands  during  March  & 
April,  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

(James  Walker  to  Jefferson.) 

Shadwell  Jan’'  i6*.  1807 

I am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  the  walls  of  the  new  addition  to  the 
toal  Mill  has  fallen  down  having  been  underminded  by  the  water  pass- 
ing through  the  bank  of  the  canal  at  the  lower  side  of  the  long  addition 
the  leak  was  occasioned  by  the  frost  U the  bank  not  being  high  enough 
together.  Mr.  Bacon  is  now  digging  out  the  foundation  deeper  it  ap- 
pears that  it  will  have  to  be  dug  as  low  as  that  of  the  old  part  to  get  a 
foundation,  as  far  as  it  is  dug  it  appears  to  be  quite  miery.  Mr.  Mad- 
dox says  he  will  put  up  the  wall  again  as  soon  as  they  are  ready  for  him. 
The  part  of  the  house  passing  over  the  canal  is  so  low  that  there  is  not 
sufficient  room  under  it  to  make  the  canal  bank  high  enough  to  hold  the 
water  with  safety  besides  the  sills  & joists  will  soon  rot  as  it  will  have 
to  be  dirted  up  to  the  top  of  them,  and  as  a part  is  to  be  pulled  down  I 
would  have  both  new  & old  raised  higher  which  may  be  easily  done  & I 
think  it  will  be  better  in  every  respect  should  you  incline  to  do  this  you 
will  please  let  me  know  shortly,  the  waist  will  be  done  in  a few  days 
except  bad  weather,  we  have  done  but  little  work  for  a few  weeks  past 
towards  the  Mills  having  been  disappointed  by  persons  who  ware  at  work 
with  me  before  christmas  & promised  to  return  in  a few  days  after  but 
have  not  as  yet.  I shall  get  the  second  pair  of  stones  to  work  as  soon  as 
possible,  liie  large  Mill  has  not  as  yet  begun  to  grind  for  want  of  a 
Miller  but  was  in  readiness  the  eighth  in*,  perhaps  their  may  be  some 
little  alterations  to  make  after  it  starts  as  is  generally  the  case,  which 
will  take  up  some  time.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Walker.) 

Washmgton  Jan.  26,  07. 

I have  received  your  letter  of  the  16“.  but  I do  not  sufficiently  mi- 
derstand  the  difficulty  of  containing  the  water  within  the  banks  of  the 
canal,  under  the  toll-mill  shed,  to  give  directions  about  it.  I must 
therefore  leave  it  to  your  direction. 

I receive  with  real  grief  the  account  of  the  tumbling  down  of  the 
new  walls  of  the  toll  mill.  I had  hoped  that  I had  seen  the  end  of  my 
expenses  for  that  establishment.  1 must  pray  that  they  may  dig  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


339 


1807] 

foundation  now  until  it’s  sufficiency  is  beyond  doubt,  even  if  they  must 
go  down  to  the  rock  on  which  the  house  itself  is  built.  I hope  you  will 
get  the  large  mill  finished  off  as  soon  as  possible,  so  that  she  may  begin 
by  her  rent  to  bring  me  in  something.  . . . ( Jefferson  Papers.  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Jan.  26.  07. 

As  I must  carry  thorn  plants  home  in  the  spring  to  fill  up  the  va- 
cancies in  my  hedges,  I must  now  get  you  to  take  the  trouble  of  walking 
round  the  whole  of  the  two  thorn  indosures,  and  counting  exactly  how 
many  are  wanting,  there  should  be  one  every  6.  inches.  Aen  count 
how  many  plants  arc  living  in  the  thorn  nursery,  and  send  me  the  num- 
ber, that  I may  be  able  to  procure  here  the  proper  number.  Davy  will 
have  to  come  on  with  the  little  cart  & two  mules  about  the  i*^  of  Marcffi, 
...  I pray  you  to  consider  whatever  relates  to  the  mill  as  the  most  im- 
portant of  any  thing  under  your  care,  and  not  to  fail  being  there  once 
every  day.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  de  Tesse.) 

Washington  Feb.  ai,  07. 

On  the  26th  of  October  1805  I had  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  you, 
and  of  informing  you  that  I then  made  up  for  you  a box  of  seeds  acorns 
and  nuts,  which  were  to  go  by  a vessel  bound  from  Baltimore  to  Nantes. 
The  box  & my  letter  were  addressed  to  Mr.  Patterson  our  Consul  at 
Nantes,  not  having  heard  from  him  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  summer 
I began  to  apprehend  all  had  miscarried,  & in  October  last  1 wrote  to 
Baltimore  to  have  enquiry  made  from  the  owner  of  the  ship,  what  had 
become  of  her.  I inclose  you  the  answers  I received,  which  with  a copy 
of  my  letter  then  sent,  will  give  you  the  whole  history  of  that  attempt 
which  I fear  proved  finally  abortive. 

I had  made  up  another  box  for  you,  nearly  similar  to  the  former,  this 
last  autumn,  & only  waited  for  an  article  or  two  not  yet  dry  enough, 
when  our  river  blodced  up  with  ice,  a month  sooner  than  usual,  and  has 
continued  so  till  just  now  that  it  is  again  opened.  1 therefore,  altho’ 
late,  send  off  the  box  to  Baltimore  to  be  forwarded  to  either  Nantes  or 
Bordeaux,  to  the  address  of  our  Consul  Mr.  Patterson  of  Nantes,  or 
Mr,  Lee  of  Bordeaux,  who  on  receipt  of  it,  will  write  and  ask  your  di- 
rections concerning  it.  it  is  divided  into  15  cells,  numbered  from  I to 
XV  & containing  as  follows  Cell  No.  I Quercus  Fhellos  II  2 Palestris  or 
Rubra  dissecta  III  2 Prinos  IV  2 Alba  V VI IX  Liriodendron  tulipifera 
VII  VIII  Juniperus  Virginiana  X XI  Bignonia  Catalpa  XII  Cornus 
Florida  XIII  Juglans  nigra,  & in  a bag  some  Lima  beans  for  your  gar- 
den. I never  saw  them  in  France.  XIV  Juglans  Paccan  & in  a bag 
some  Arachis  hypogaea  XV  Diospyros  Virginiana.  to  prevent  every 
motive  for  suppressing  this  letter,  I will  only  add  my  sincere  & constant 
attachment  and  affections  to  yourself,  M.  de  Tesse,  M.  & Mdc.  de  la 
Fayette,  & that  you  shall  be  remembered  at  the  next  season  for  a new 
supply.  (Glimpses  of  the  Past.  Missouri  3:  99.) 


340 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1807 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Feb’'  25*^  1807 

By  this  day’s  mail,  I do  myself  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  as  many 
of  the  flower-roots  you  were  pleased  to  write  for,  as  I had  at  the  time 
your  kind  letter  came  to  hand;  also  some  red  and  white  Globe  Arti- 
chokes, Early  Cabbage  and  a small  variety  of  Flower-seeds  &c.  which  I 
solicit  the  favour  of  your  accepting  as  a token  of  my  best  wishes. 

Almost  all  my  valuable  hardy  bulbs,  I plant  in  October  or  in  the 
early  part  of  November,  and  previous  to  the  planting  season  in  the  en- 
suing Autumn  I shall  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  a neat  col- 
lection, and  will  then  have  no  objection  to  charge  a reasonable  price  for 
them.  In  a few  days,  when  the  weather  becomes  more  mild  I will  send 
you  some  double  Tuberose  roots,  but  as  they  are  extremely  impatient  of 
frost,  it  would  he  hazardous  to  send  them  at  present. 

Of  Auriculas  we  have  none  here  worth  a cent,  but  I expect  some 
good  ones  from  London  this  spring;  if  they  come  safe,  you  shall  have  a 
division  next  season. 

The  Antwerp  Raspberries  cannot  be  had,  as  our  ground  is  still  bound 
by  the  frost.  I shall  forward  them  as  soon  as  possible.  The  Alpine 
Strawberry  is  extremely  scarce  here;  however,  I think  I shall  be  able  to 
procure  you  some  before  the  planting  season  in  the  ensuing  autumn. 

I am  extremely  obliged  to  you  for  your  kindness  in  speaking  to  Cap*. 
Lewis  about  the  seeds;  I anxiously  wish  for  his  arrival  in  this  City,  fear- 
ing to  lose  the  advantage  of  early  sowing  for  some  articles  which  might 
require  it.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Timothy  Matlack  to  Jefferson.) 

Lancaster  [Pennsylvania]  Feb.  25,  1807. 

[He  sends]  a small  bundle  containing  the  nine  cuttings  which  I had 
the  honor  of  mentioning  to  you  in  the  fall,  the  Oldmaxon  peach  tree 
and  several  other  kinds  of  fruit  in  high  esteem  here,  which  I hope  will 
prove  acceptable  to  you.  ...  I have  sent  some  cuttings  both  of  the 
pears  and  of  the  stone-fruits.  . . . The  cuttings  of  the  Richmond  pear 
are  worth  particular  attention.  . . . 

List  of  Fruit  Trees 

No.  I.  Carolina  Canada — when  fully  ripe,  the  most  juicy  and  highest 
flavoured  of  all  the  Clingstone  peaches.  For  preserving  it  is 
' the  best  of  all  the  peaches,  and  being  cut  round  lengthwise, 

and  gently  twisted,  one  half  the  peach  comes  from  the  stone  as 
perfectly  as  from  the  freestone — the  other  half  is  taken  out  with 
the  point  of  a knife.  It  retains  more  of  the  peach  flavour  in 
brandy  than  any  other. 

11,  The  much  boasted  oldmixon  peach,  which  I fear  will  disap- 
point you  in  size. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1807] 


341 


in.  The  mammoth  peach — ^large,  perfectly  beautiful  and  ripens 
tender — a clingstone. 

IV.  The  Oldmixon  freestone — a fine  peach — ^I  suppose  the  same  as 
the  Madeira  peach. 

V.  The  Lady’s  favourite — a.  small  yellow  peach  of  exquisite  flavour 
— a late  importation  from  France — ripens  full  of  juice. 

VI.  The  Italian  red-freestone — ^imported  by  Robert  Morris. 

VIII.  The  Italian  White-freestone — ^imported  by  R.  M. 

VII.  The  Moore  Park  Apricot — I presume  the  same  as  the  Anvon. 
The  Purple  Syrian  Grape  cuttings  from  each  & also  of  the 
from  Twitman  Purple  Prune  and  of  Coopers  plum, 
a seedling  from  the  Green  Gage 
grafted  on  the  Wild  plum. 

X.  Sechell’s  pear — a small  pear  to  be  gathered  about  the  lo”*  of 
October — ^They  are  red  upon  the  tree  & ripen  in  about  two 
weeks  to  a beautiful  lemon  colour — ^They  are  juicy  and  tender 
as  the  best  of  the  Burser  pears,  and  much  sweeter. 

A small  parcel  of  Coopers  pale  green  Asparagus  seed,  which 
has  long  commanded  the  Philaddphia  market.  The  head  is 
large  in  proportion  to  its  stem  & very  tender,  the  whole  of  this 
seed  is  gathered  from  one  beautiful  stalk  in  my  garden. 

The  long  crooked  & warted  Squash — a native  of  New  Jersey, 
which  the  Cooper’s  family  have  preserved  and  cultivated  for 
near  a century.  It  is  our  best  Squash. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Ellen  Randolph.) 

Washington  Mar.  I.  07. 

...  I shall  write  to  Anne  by  the  cart,  because  it  will  carry  a box  of 
flower  roots  which  I shall  consign  to  her  care,  but  not  to  be  opened  till 
we  get  to  Monticello  & have  every  thing  ready  for  planting  them  as  soon 
as  they  are  opened.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Mar.  1,  1807. 

I suppose  Davy  will  set  out  tomorrow,  and  of  course  that  he  will 
hardly  be  back  to  Monticello  before  the  13“*.  in  the  meantime  the  sea- 
son is  advancing.  I think  therefore  you  had  better  take  up  the  thorns 
in  the  Nursery,  & plant  them  in  the  hedge  of  the  South  orchard  as  soon 
as  the  weather  becomes  favorable  for  it.  the  plants  are  to  be  every 
where  6.  inches  apart,  a caution  very  strictly  to  be  attended  to  is  that 
when  you  take  the  plants  out  of  the  nursery,  let  the  roots  be  exposed  to 
the  air  as  short  a time  & as  little  as  possible,  nothing  is  so  fatal  to  a 
plant  as  the  air  getting  at  the  root,  and  more  than  half  the  loss  in  trans- 
planting is  from  that  cause,  mf  Perry  was  wrong  in  saying  I had 
blamed  you  about  the  building  the  cooper’s  house  & stable  at  the  mill. 


341 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1807 

there  is  not  such  an  idea  in  my  letter,  the  blame  was  all  for  himself 
which  I thought  was  for  any  body:  however  he  has  given  me  such  an 
explanation  since  as  satisfies  me  as  to  him  also.  I expect  to  be  at  home 
about  the  I2“‘.  or  13“.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

(John  L.  E.  W.  Shecut  to  Jefferson.) 

Charleston,  March  4,  1807. 

[Mr.  Shecut  presents  through  Dr.  Mitchill  of  New  York  a copy  of 
his  Flora  Carolinaeensis,'\  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Thomas  Main  sold  to  Jefferson.) 


[Georgetown]  Mar.  7,  1807 


13  Paper  Mulberries 

@ SO 

cent  each 

$6.00 

4 Ribinias  [Robinias] 

@ as 

« 

II 

1.00 

2 Snowballs 

@ Do. 

II 

II 

•SO 

3 Mountain  ash 

@ 25 

II 

II 

.75 

2 Tacamahac 

@ Do. 

II 

If 

•SO 

2 Prickly-ash-Xanthoxylon 

@ 25 

II 

If 

.50 

4 Choke  cherry 

@ 25 

li 

ti 

1.00 

I Fraxinella 

1.00 

I Buckeye 

4 Purple  Beeches 

4 Thousand  American  Hedge  Thoms 

@ 6 Doll 

per  M. 

24.00 

$35.25 

. . . Great  care  must  be  taken  in  unloosing  this  smallest  bundle  not  to 
injure  the  buds  of  the  plants  particularly  the  purple  Beeches  and 
Fraxinella.  The  large  buds  of  the  Buckeye  are  trebly  secured  with  the 
bandages. 

Directions  to  accompany  the  plants  for  the  President 

If  the  weather  continues  moist  there  will  be  little  occasion  to  water 
the  plants  upon  the  road.  But  if  it  turns  out  dry  and  windy  they  may 
be  watered  once  a day.  They  ought  not  to  be  watered  if  it  should  freeze 
while  they  are  upon  the  journey. 

When  they  arrive  at  Monticello,  the  thorns  should  be  untied  from 
the  large  bundles  and  continue  an  hour  or  two  immersed  in  water;  they 
may  then  be  left  with  their  roots  only  in  the  water  all  the  night  and  then 
layed  in  a trench  pretty  deep  so  as  entirely  to  cover  their  roots,  where 
they  may  remain  until  the  weather  etc.  is  suitable  to  have  them  planted 
in  the  hedge. 

If  the  weather  should  be  frosty  on  their  arrival  they  may  be  laid  in  a 
cellar  unopened  until  the  frost  is  over. 

Thos,  Main 

(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


March  10,  1807, 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


343 


1807] 

(Jefferson  to  Timothy  Matlack.) 

Washington  Mar.  la.  07. 

You  have  very  much  gratified  me  by  the  collection  of  choice  fruit  trees 
you  have  been  so  good  as  to  forward  me.  it  is  gone  on  to  Monticello 
to  which  place  I shall  follow  it  in  a few  days,  whither  also  I am  with- 
drawing all  my  views  as  a place  of  rest  from  the  labors  & contentions  of 
public  life.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Mar.  13.  1807. 

Davy  has  been  detained  here  until  this  day.  he  now  carries  with  him 
some  bundles  of  trees,  and  4,000  thorns,  as  to  the  trees,  the  moment  he 
arrives,  dig  a trench  in  the  garden  18.  I.  deep  and  set  them  in  it  in  their 
bundles,  side  by  side,  and  fill  in  the  earth  again  very  close,  so  that  the 
air  may  not  possibly  get  to  them,  and  let  them  remain  so  until  I come 
home,  only  watering  them  every  day  that  it  does  not  rain,  with  respect 
to  the  thorns,  bury  them  in  like  manner  in  a trench  in  bundles,  and  press 
in  the  earth  close,  then  proceed  to  plant  them,  filling  up  all  vacancies 
in  the  hedges  at  6.  inches  distant,  take  out  of  the  group  only  one  bundle 
at  a time,  and  have  a pail  of  water  at  hand  while  planting  them,  and 
dip  the  root  of  every  plant  into  the  water,  before  it  is  planted  in  its  place, 
the  most  fatal  thing  to  plants  is  the  letting  their  roots  be  exposed  to  the 
air  while  planting,  these  thorns  should  be  planted  as  soon  as  the  cart 
arrives.  Davy  brings  also  some  little  boxes,  etc.  which  may  be  put 
away  in  the  house  till  my  arrival.  I expect  to  get  some  clover  seeds 
before  he  starts  from  here,  but  am  not  yet  certain  of  it.  if  he  brings  it, 
take  care  of  it  till  I get  home.  I shall  set  out  for  Monticello  as  soon  as 
Mr,  Randolph  is  strong  enough  to  travel;  but  that  will  not  be  for  a 
wedc  or  ten  days  to  come.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M,  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Albert  Gallatin.) 

[Washington]  March  20,  1807. 

. . . Indeed,  I have  but  little  moment  in  the  morning  in  which  I can 
either  read,  write,  or  think;  being  obliged  to  be  shut  up  in  a dark  room 
from  early  in  the  forenoon  till  night,  with  a periodical  headache.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii:  165—166.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

' Washington  Mar.  20.  07. 

I am  in  hopes  I am  more  fortunate  in  the  seeds  I now  send  you  than 
the  effete  roots  before  sent,  the  enclosed  seeds  are  given  me  by  Cap* 
Lewis  for  my  own  garden:  but  as  I am  not  in  a situation  to  do  them 
justice,  & am  more  anxious  thejr  should  be  saved  in  any  way  than  merely 
to  see  them  in  my  own  possession,  I forward  them  to  you  who  can  give 
them  their  best  chance,  it  will  give  you  too  an  opportunity  of  com- 
mitting them  earlier  to  the  ground  than  those  you  will  receive  from 


344 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1807 

Cap‘  Lewis  for  yourself,  as  it  may  yet  be  some  time  before  he  is  with 
you.  perhaps  you  may  as  well  say  nothing  of  your  receiving  this,  lest  it 
might  lessen  the  portion  he  will  be  disposed  to  give  you;  and  believing 
myself  they  will  be  best  in  your  hands,  I wish  to  increase  the  portion  de- 
posited with  you.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Washington  Mar.  22.  07. 

Governor  Lewis’s  journey  to  Philadelphia  being  delayed  longer  than 
was  expected,  and  the  season  advancing,  we  have  thought  it  best  to  for- 
ward to  you  by  post  the  packet  of  seeds  destined  for  you.  they  are  the 
fruits  of  his  journey  across  the  continent,  & will  I trust  add  some  useful 
or  agreeable  varieties  to  what  we  now  possess.  I send  a similar  packet 
to  mr  Hamilton  of  the  Woodlands,  in  making  him  & yourself  the  de- 
positories of  these  public  treasures,  I am  sure  we  take  the  best  measures 
possible  to  ensure  them  from  being  lost.  I sent  you  a small  packet  a 
few  days  ago  which  he  had  destined  for  myself:  but  I am  in  too  indiffer- 
ent a situation  to  take  the  care  of  them  which  they  merit.  . . . (Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Hamilton.) 

Washington  Mar.  22.  ’07. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  at  the  request  of  Governor  Lewis,  I 
send  you  the  seeds  now  inclosed,  being  a part  of  the  Botanical  fruits  of 
his  journey  across  the  continent.  [He  jso  mentions  sending  some  of 
the  seeds  to  McMahon.  See  letter  above.]  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(John  Threlkeld  to  Jefferson.) 

[March  25,  1807.] 

About  two  years  ago  I saw  a peach  apricot  (at  Hepburn’s  Garden  in 
the  City)  belonging  to  you  and  requested  Mr.  Mason  to  ask  your  per- 
mission to  take  buds  from  it  the  Ensuing  summer  and  that  I would 
furnish  you  with  as  many  as  you  wanted  of  the  same  kind  from  it,  and 
that  you  risked  loosing  the  kind  by  Removal  having  but  one.  this  he 
omitted,  the  tree  was  removed  and  as  I have  been  since  inform’d  Lost 
on  the  road.  I was  so  fortunate  as  to  get  the  twigs  cut  off  to  make  it 
pack  and  from  them  got  one  to  live  by  Grafting  and  last  year  raised  a 
few  from  that  Inoculation,  they  are  small  the  bud  not  having  grown 
more  than  9 or  10  Inches  last  summer,  will  you  please  to  accept  4 or 
5 of  them  together  with  two  very  fine  growing  trees  that  derive  their 
origin  from  the  Bishop  of  Bourdeaux’s  Garden,  the  fruit  is  said  to  be 
large,  fine  and  of  the  cling  stone  kind,  the  Peach  Apricot  can  be  moved 
now,  next  fall  or  next  spring  but  after  that  would  probably  be  too  Large, 
if  you  remove  them  this  spring  they  should  be  taken  up  directly  to  pre- 
vent their  shooting  which  they  will  Do  in  a few  days,  , . . (Ford,  Jef- 
ferson Correspondence;  141 --142.) 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


345 


1807] 

(Jefferson  to  John  Threlkeld.) 

Washington,  Mar.  26.  07. 

I thank  you  for  the  kind  offer  of  the  trees  mentioned  in  your  letter  of 
yesterday,  the  Peach  Apricot  which  you  saw  at  Hepburn’s  was  lost  on 
the  road,  but  I recei\ed  with  it  from  Italy  at  the  same  time  a supply  of 
the  stones  of  the  same  fruit,  which  are  planted  at  Monticello,  and  from 
which  I hope  to  raise  some  trees,  tho’  as  j’et  I do  not  know  their  success, 
should  these  fail  I will  avail  myself  of  your  kind  offer  the  next  fall  or 
spring,  the  two  peach  trees  5'ou  propose  will  be  very  acceptable  at  the 
same  time.  I am  endeavoring  to  make  a collection  of  the  choicest  kinds 
of  peaches  for  Monticello.  presuming  you  are  attached  to  the  culture 
of  trees,  I take  the  liberty  of  sending  you  some  Paccan  nuts,  which  being 
of  the  last  years  growth  received  from  New  Orleans,  will  probably 
grow,  they  are  a very  fine  nut  and  succeed  well  in  this  climate,  they 
require  rich  land,  between  the  two  lobes  of  the  kernel  there  is  a thin 
pellicle,  excessively  austere  and  bitter,  which  it  is  necessary  to  take  out 
before  eating  the  nut.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence:  142.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  March  27^''.  1807 

I duly  received  the  roots  and  seeds  you  were  so  good  as  to  send  me,  for 
which  I return  you  and  Governor  Lewis  my  hearty  thanks.  I have  no 
doubt  but  1 will  be  able  to  give  a good  account  of  the  produce,  for  I 
never  saw  seeds  in  a better  state  of  preservation,  and  their  having  reached 
me  in  good  time  will  be  a considerable  advantage.  1 have  already  sowed 
several  kinds,  will  treat  the  whole  with  very  particular  care,  and  have  no 
doubt  but  I will  be  able  to  send  you  in  due  time,  plants  of  every  kind 
committed  to  my  care. 

I request  the  favour  of  your  informing  Governor  Lewis  that  I wish 
him  to  accept  from  me,  a collection  of  seeds  of  culinary  & ornamental 
plants,  to  take  with  him  when  going  to  the  territory  over  which  he  is  to 
preside ; they  shall  be  ready  for  him  whenever  he  pleases. 

The  dwarf  Cedar  of  the  plains  of  Missouri,  I take,  from  the  seed,  to 
be  a species  of  Juniperus;  the  Shallan  of  the  Clatsops,  a Vaccinium;  and 
the  flowering  Pea  of  the  plains  of  Arkansas,  a Lupinus.  I shall  from 
time  to  time  report  to  you  or  to  Governor  Lewis  the  progress  of  this 
precious  collection,  and  of  any  other  articles  with  which  I may  be 
favoured. 

M'.  Duane  intends  to  leave  this  City  for  Washington  on  Tuesday 
next;  by  him  I will  send  the  Antwerp  Raspberries.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Monsieur  Le  Corate  Diodati.) 

Washington,  March  29,  1807. 

. , . At  the  end  of  my  present  term,  of  which  two  years  are  yet  to 
come,  I propose  to  retire  from  public  life,  and  to  close  my  days  on  my 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


346 


[1807 


patrimony  of  Monticello,  in  the  bosom  of  my  family.  I have  hitherto 
enjoyed  uniform  health;  but  the  weight  of  public  business  begins  to  be 
too  heavy  for  me,  and  I long  for  the  enjoyments  of  rural  life,  among  my 
books,  my  farms  and  my  family.  Having  performed  my  quadragena 
stipendk,  I am  entitled  to  my  discharge,  and  should  be  sorry,  indeed, 
that  others  should  be  sooner  sensible  than  myself  when  I ought  to  ask  it. 
I have,  therefore,  requested  my  fellow-citizens  to  think  of  a successor 
for  me,  to  whom  I shall  deliver  the  public  concerns  with  greater  joy 
than  I received  them.  I have  the  consolation  too  of  having  added 
nothing  to  my  private  fortune  during  my  public  service,  and  of  retiring 
with  hands  as  clean  as  they  are  empty.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef~ 
ferson  ri : 182.) 


(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  April  2“*.  1807 

I do  myself  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  per  M',  Duane  who  intends 
leaving  this  City  for  Washington  tomorrow,  90  plants  of  the  white 
Antwerp  Raspberry,  cut  to  the  proper  lengths  for  planting;  and  8 plants 
of  the  true  red  Alpine  Strawberry,  being  all  I could  procure  of  these 
kinds  at  present.  They  are  packed  in  moss,  in  the  larger  of  two  boxes 
sent,  so  carefully,  as  not  to  suffer  the  least  injury  even  if  they  should  not 
be  planted  till  the  beginning  of  next  month.  In  the  small  box  1 send 
you  24  toots  Double  Tuberoses  and  6 roots  of  the  Amaryllis  formosis- 
sima;  for  the  management  of  these,  see  pages  349  & 350  of  my  work  on 
Gardening, 

I have  fine  crops  already  up  of  the  Aricara  Tobacco,  and  perennial 
flax,  and  expect  numbers  of  the  others  up  in  a few  days.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Egbert  Benson.) 

Washington  Apr.  7,  07. 

With  this  will  be  forwarded  by  the  stage  for  me  at  Monticello  (to 
which  place  I am  this  moment  setting  out)  two  boxes  containing  plants, 
on  which  I set  the  greatest  value,  they  are  not  yet  arrived  here  from 
Philadelphia  but  are  expected  to-day.  the  object  of  this  letter  is  to  pray 
you  to  pay  particular  attention  to  the  forwarding  them  by  the  first  stage, 
that  they  may  be  out  of  the  ground  as  short  a time  as  possible,  they  are 
to  be  delivered  to  David  Higginbothem  at  Milton  who  will  pay  the 
carriage.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  April  lo***  1807 

I was  much  surprised  this  day,  to  find  that  M'.  Duane  did  not  pro- 
ceed to  W^hington  as  he  Informed  me  he  would  when  I had  the  pleas- 
ure of  writing  to  you  last,  nor  can  he  now  for  a few  days;  therefore,  to- 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


1807] 


347 


morrow  I will  forwaid  the  larger  Box  by  the  stage,  and  the  smaller  by 
the  mail.  I am  very  sorry  that  I did  not  take  this  method  at  first. 

I have  several  sorts  growing  of  the  seeds  you  were  pleased  to  send  me, 
among  which  are  four  varieties  of  Currants,  and  I am  confidant  that  I 
shall  have  plants  from  every  kind  I received.  . . . 

P,  S.  I am  not  at  all  apprehensive  that  the  plants  will  suffer  by  this 
delay,  as  they  are  very  carefully  packed.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Jonathan  Shoemaker.) 

Monticello  April  i8.  07. 

, . . tho’  I have  been  here  a week  I have  not  had  time  to  go  to  the 
mill,  having  a great  deal  of  planting  to  do,  & the  season  having  burst 
out  upon  us  very  suddenly  after  my  arrival.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jacob  Crowninshield  to  Jefferson.) 

Salem,  Massachusetts,  April  21,  1807. 

Jacob  Crowninshield  has  the  pleasure  to  send  Mr.  Jefferson  a sample 
of  fresh  Gu%erat  Wheat  received  by  him  from  Bombay,  he  regrets  that 
the  package  will  not  allow  n greater  quantity  to  be  sent,  but  this  may  be 
of  less  consequence  as  the  object  will  be  merely  to  make  a trial  of  the 
wheat  & for  the  preservation  of  the  seed  in  Virginia.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  Apr.  25,  07. 

, . . We  have  had  three  great  rains  within  the  last  13.  days.  It  is 
just  now  clearing  off  after  36.  hours  of  rain,  with  little  intermission. 
Yet  it  is  thought  not  too  much.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  10:  39t0 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  May  1,  1807. 

. , . Our  weather  continues  extremely  seasonable  and  favorable  for 
vegetation.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii : 199.) 


(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Directions  for  plantation  affairs. 


May  13,  1807. 


. . . Resume  levelling  of  garden.  . . . 

. . . Use  great  economy  in  timber,  never  cutting  down  a tree  for  fire- 
wood or  any  other  purpose  as  long  as  one  can  be  found  ready  cut  down 
fk  tolerably  convenient,  in  our  new  way  of  fencing  the  shortest  cuts  & 
large  branches  and  even  hollow  trees  will  come  in  for  use.  the  loppings 
will  do  for  firewood  & coal  wood.  . . . 


348 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1807 


. . . Burwell  paints  & takes  care  of  the  house.  . . . 

. . . Keep  the  thorns  constantljr  clean  wed.  . . . 

. . . Wormly  must  be  directed  to  weed  the  flower  beds  about  the  house, 
the  nursery,  the  vineyards,  & raspberry  beds,  when  they  need  it.  I wish 
him  to  gather  me  a peck  or  two  of  dean  broom  seed,  when  ripe,  (/e/- 
ferson  Papers j Yale.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Divers.) 

Washington  May  24.  ’07. 

. . . We  had  strawberries  yesterday,  when  had  you  them?  no  peas 
here  yet.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette.) 

Washington,  May  26,  07. 

...  I wrote  to  Madame  de  Tesse  on  the  21st  of  Feb  and  at  the  same 
time  sent  a box  of  seeds,  nuts,  acorns  &c.  to  Baltimore,  which  were  for- 
warded to  Bordeaux  for  her,  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Lee  our  consul  there. 
I had  done  the  same  thing  the  preceding  year.  That  vessel  was  taken 
by  the  English,  detained,  but  got  to  France  in  April.  It  is  so  difficult 
in  times  of  war  to  get  anything  carried  safely  across  the  Atlantic  as  to 
be  very  discouraging.  I shall  not  fail,  however,  to  repeat  my  endeavors 
as  to  such  objects  as  are  in  our  neighborhood  here,  until  she  has  a plenty 
of  them.  I am  panting  for  retirement,  but  am  as  yet  nearly  two  years 
from  that  goal.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  10:  41 1.) 

(Jefferson  to  Colonel  James  Monroe.) 

Washington,  May  29,  1807. 

...  I am  not  certain  this  letter  will  find  you  in  England.  The  sole 
object  in  writing  it,  is  to  add  another  little  commission  to  the  one  I had 
formerly  troubled  you  with.  It  is  to  procure  for  me  “a  machine  for 
ascertaining  the  resistance  of  ploughs  or  carriages,  invented  and  sold  by 
Winlaw,  in  Margaret  street,  Cavendish  Square."  It  will  cost,  I be- 
lieve, four  or  five  guineas,  which  shall  be  replaced  here  instanter  on  your 
arrival.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii:  21 1.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington,  [May]  31.  07. 

. . . The  Burr  milstones  for  the  toll  mill  are  gone  on.  the  runner 
weighs  1800  lbs,  the  bedstone  1400  lbs.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  June  6,  1807. 

We  had  peas  on  the  17*'*  May  14  days  later  than  last  year,  you  had 
strawberries  10  days  before  us.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


349 


1807] 

(Jefferson  to  Anne  Randolph.) 

Washington  June  7.  07. 

I received  last  week  from  your  papa  information  that  you  were  all 
well  except  your  Mama,  who  had  still  some  remains  of  the  pain  in  the 
face.  I hope  I shall  hear  this  week  that  she  is  restored  to  her  health, 
from  yourself  I may  soon  expect  a report  of  your  first  visit  to  Monticello, 
and  of  the  state  of  our  joint  concerns  there.  I find  that  the  limited 
number  of  our  flower  beds  will  too  much  restrain  the  variety  of  flowers 
in  which  we  might  wish  to  indulge,  & therefore  I have  resumed  an  idea, 
which  I had  formerly  entertained,  but  had  laid  by,  of  a winding  walk 
surrounding  the  lawn  before  the  house,  with  a narrow  border  of  flowers 
on  each  side,  this  would  give  us  abundant  room  for  a great  variety.  I 
enclose  you  a sketch  of  my  idea,  where  the  dotted  lines  on  each  side  of 
the  black  line  shew  the  border  on  each  side  of  the  walk,  the  hollows  of 
the  walk  would  give  room  for  oval  beds  of  flowering  shrubs.  . . . [See 
plate  XXIV.  Jefferson  drew  the  plan  on  the  back  of  this  letter.] 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Doctor  Caspar  Wistar.) 

Washington,  June  21,  1807. 

I have  a grandson,  the  son  of  Mr.  Randolph,  now  about  fifteen  years 
of  age,  in  whose  education  I take  a lively  interest.  ...  I am  not  a 
friend  to  placing  j'oung  men  in  populous  cities,  because  they  acquire 
there  habits  and  partialities  which  do  not  contribute  to  the  happiness  of 
their  after  life.  But  there  are  particular  branches  of  science,  which  are 
not  so  advantageously  taught  anywhere  else  in  the  United  States  as  in 
Philadelphia.  The  garden  at  the  Woodlands  for  Botany,  Mr.  Peale’s 
Museum  for  Natural  History,  your  Medical  school  for  Anatomy,  and 
the  able  professors  in  all  of  them,  give  advantages  not  to  be  found  else- 
where. We  propose,  therefore,  to  send  him  to  Philadelphia  to  attend 
the  schools  of  Botany,  Natural  History,  Anatomy,  and  perhaps  surgery; 
but  not  Medicine.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii:  242—243.) 

(Wm.  Lee  to  Jefferson.) 

Bordeaux  June  25,  07. 

The  box  of  seeds  for  Madame  de  Tesse  I have  received.  . . . [See 
letter,  Jefferson  to  Madame  de  Tesse,  February  21,  1807.]  {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Stephen  Cathalan.) 

Washington  June  29.  07* 

, . . The  articles  by  the  Three  friends,  cap*.  Harvey  came  safely  to 
hand,  & I have  since  received  by  different  conveyances  the  other  articles 
desired  in  mine  of  Apr.  28.  to  wit  the  Artichoke  bottoms,  Mustard^  de 
Mailly,  vinaigre  d’estragon,  Maccaroni,  Parmesan  & Smyrna  raisins. 
. . , {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


350 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1807 


(Thomas  Main  to  Jefferson.) 

Mains  Nursery 
June  1807 


Bo*  of  Thos  Main 

Thorn  plants,  Trees  & shrubs — as  per  acco*  Amts 

rendered  to  the  amount  of 35  ^5 

The  honorable  Thomas  Randolph  Esq. 

for  Thorn  plants  as  p'  acc‘  rendered  24  00 


Received  the  above  in  full. 

Thos.  Main. 


$59  • 25 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Randolph  Jefferson  to  Jefferson.) 

July  1807 

Dear  Brother, 

I should  have  wrote  to  you  on  this  business  before  but  wished  to  be 
certain  in  seeing  whether  I could  procure  the  quantity  of  seed  that  I 
agree**  with  the  nigroes  for  which  was  a bushel  of  Green  soard  and  as 
much  of  White  Clover  they  are  now  delivering  that  quantity  at  Eight 
shillings  pr  Gallon  I think  the  price  high  at  that  but  I assure  you  that  it 
was  not  in  My  power  to  get  it  cheaper  if  Convenient  be  pleased  to  inclose 
to  Me  as  Much  Money  as  will  pay  them  of  for  these  seed.  . . . ( Carr- 
Cary  Papers,  Alderman  Memorial  Library,  University  of  Virginia. 
Hereafter  cited  as  Garr-Cary  Papers,  U.  Va.  Also  published  in  Thomas 
Jefferson  and  His  Uninown  Brother,  by  Bernard  Mayo.) 

(Jefferson  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette.) 

Washington,  July  14,  1807. 

...  I am  afraid  I have  been  very  unsuccessful  in  my  endeavors  to 
serve  Madame  de  Tesse  in  her  taste  for  planting.  A box  of  seeds,  etc., 
which  I sent  her  in  the  close  of  1805,  was  carried  with  the  vessel  into 
England,  and  discharged  so  late  that  1 fear  she  lost  their  benefit  for  that 
season.  Another  box,  which  I prepared  in  the  autumn  of  1806,  has, 

I fear,  been  equally  delayed  from  other  accidents.  However,  I will 
persevere  in  my  endeavors.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ii : 280.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  P.  Reibelt.) 

Monticello  Aug.  12.  07. 

Your  letter  of  Mar.  28.  did  not  get  to  my  hands  at  Washington  till 
July  7,  and  as  I had  left  Parkyn’s  designs  of  gardens  at  this  place  I was' 
obliged  to  defer  answering  you  till  I came  here.  1 now  enclose  it  to 
you  will)  many  thanks  for  the  use  of  it.  1 suspect  you  will  find  in  the 
grounds  you  propose  to  improve  on  these  models,  in  the  highest  degree 


1807] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


351 


an  obstacle  which  we  find  considerable  even  here : that  is  that  the  luxuri- 
ance of  the  soil  by  it’s  constant  reproduction  of  weeds  of  powerful 
growth  & stature  will  bid  defiance  to  the  keeping  your  grounds  in  that 
clean  state  which  the  English  gardens  require.  . . . [Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Randolph  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  Aug.  12.  07. 

Dear  Brother, 

I did  not  receive  your  letter  of  July  9 till  the  8th  inst.  and  now,  by 
the  first  post  inclose  you  ao.  D.  to  pay  for  the  clover  & greenswerd  seed ; 
which  goes  by  post  to  Warren,  the  greenswerd  seed  I wish  to  have 
here;  but  the  white  clover  seed  is  to  go  to  Bedford.  . . . [Carr-Cary 
Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Charles  Willson  Peale  to  Jefferson.) 

[Philadelphia]  Museum  Aug.  30.  1807. 

. . . Agreeable  to  the  request  of  Gov.  Lewis  I have  prepaired  one  of 
the  heads  of  the  American  Argali  (big  horns)  to  be  placed  in  your  Hall 
at  Monticello.  it  will  be  put  on  board  the  Schooner  Jane,  Capt,  Jack- 
son  on  tomorrow.  . . . [Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(William  Few  to  Jefferson.) 

New  York  SepP  ab***  1807. 

I take  the  liberty  of  sending  to  you  by  M'.  Gallatin  a bottle  of  salad 
oil,  the  first  perhaps  that  was  ever  made  in  the  United  States.  It  was 
pressed  from  the  seed  of  a plant  which  grows  in  the  southern  States, 
and  is  known  there  by  the  name  of  Bene,  and  is  cultivated  in  those 
States  by  the  Negroes  only  for  their  own  use,  the  pod  which  contains 
the  seed  before  it  is  matured,  I am  told  is  the  part  which  they  use. 

I have  not  learned  the  Botanic  term  of  the  plant  nor  under  what  class, 
or  order  it  is  arranged. 

The  seed  was  sent  to  me  from  Georgia  by  M'.  Milledge  of  the 
Senate  bf  the  United  States  whose  Agricultural  and  scientific  researches 
have  rendered  important  services  to  that  State. 

Six  Bushels  of  the  seed  produced  about  six  gallons  of  cold  drawn  oil, 
of  the  quality  I send,  and  about  twelve  gallons  of  warm  drawn  oil  that 
is  not  quite  so  pure  and  well  tasted,  but  it  may  be  used  as  salad  oil,  or 
for  painting,  or  lamps.  . . . [Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Divers.) 

Monticdlo  Sep.  29.  07. 

I received  the  inclosed  grass  seed,  & letter  from  a mf  Willis  of  whom, 
or  whose  place  of  residence  I know  nothing,  the  character  he  gives  of 
the  grass  is  such  as  to  make  it  worthy  an  experiment,  but  my  vagrant 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


35^ 


[1807 


life  renders  it  impracticable  with  me.  knowing  nobody  more  likely  to 
give  it  a fair  trial  than  yourself  I confide  it  to  your  care  if  you  think  it 
worthy  of  it.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson,  to  William  Duane.) 

Washington  Oct.  14.  07. 
[He  asks  him  to  procure  the  following  books :] 

McMahon's  book  of  gardening 

Barton’s  elements  of  botany,  unbound  because  I 

wish  to  have  the  two  vols  bound  in  one.  . . . 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Timothy  Matlack.) 

Washington  Oct.  19.  07. 

I duly  received  your  present  of  Sidrel’s  pears,  most  of  them  in  their 
highest  point  of  perfection,  two  or  three  just  past  it.  they  exceeded 
anything  I have  tasted  since  I left  France,  Sc  equalled  any  pear  I had 
seen  there,  they  renewed  my  regrets  for  the  loss  of  the  last  spring,  the 
bundle  of  trees  you  so  kindly  sent  me,  were  longer  coming  here  than 
they  should  have  been,  but  going  hence  to  Monticcllo  in  a cart,  they 
were  out  in  the  remarkable  severe  weather  we  had  in  the  middle  & latter 
part  of  March,  and  by  the  impassableness  of  the  roads  & breaking  down 
of  the  cart  were  so  long  out  that  not  a single  one  survived.  I will  not 
trouble  you  with  a new  request  until  I go  home  myself  to  remain,  which 
will  be  on  the  4*''  of  March  after  next,  but  if  in  the  February  preceed- 
ing  that  (say  Feb.  1809)  you  should  have  any  plants  to  spare  of  what  you 
deem  excellent  pears,  peaches,  or  grapes,  they  will  then  be  most  acceptable 
indeed,  and  1 shall  be  able  to  carry  & plant  them  myself  at  Monticello 
where  I shall  then  begin  to  occupy  myself  according  to  my  own  natural 
inclinations,  which  have  been  so  long  kept  down  by  the  history  of  our 
times;  and  shall  bid  a joyful  adieu  to  politics  and  all  the  odious  passions 
& vices  of  which  they  make  us  the  object  in  public  life.  I should  be 
very  much  pleased  to  see  you  at  Monticello  & to  prove  to  you  that  my 
heart  has  been  always  there,  altho  my  body  has  been  every  where,  except 
there,  since  our  first  acquaintance  in  1775.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Anne  Cary  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Edgehill  November  9 1807 

My  Dear  Grand  Papa. 

The  tuberoses  & Amaryllises  are  taken  up  we  shall  have  a plenty  of 
them  for  the  next  year,  the  tulips  Sc  Hyacinths  I had  planted  before  I 
left  Monticello  they  had  increased  so  much  as  to  fill  the  beds  quite  full, 
the  Anemonies  & Ranunculuses  are  also  doing  well,  fourteen  of  Gov- 
ernor Lewis’s  Pea  ripened  which  I have  saved,  the  pinks  Carnation's 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


3S3 


1807] 

Sweet  Williams  Yellow  horned  Poppy  Ixia  Jeffersonia  everlasting 
Pea  Lavatera  Columbian  Lilly  Lobelia  Lychnis  double  blossomed 
Poppy  & Physalis  failed,  indeed  none  of  the  seeds  which  you  got  from 
M""  M®  Mahon  came  up.  Ellen  & myself  have  a fine  parcel  of  little 
Orange  trees  for  the  green  house  against  your  return.  M”  Lewis  has 
promised  me  some  seed  of  the  Cypress  vine.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Thomas  Main  to  Jefferson.) 

Main’s  Nursery 

The  President  Nov.  20,  1807 

Bo‘  of  Thos.  Main 

2000  prime  Transplants  of  the  American  Hedge 

Thorn  @650  cents  p.  m.  13.00 

2 Portugal  peach  trees  @ 25  cents  each  ,50 

2 Black  Georgia  peach  trees  @ 25  cents  each  .50 

4 Purple  Beeches 
4 Robinias 
4 Prickly  Ash 
6 Spitzenberg  Apple  trees 

I Blood  peach,  from  the  stone,  had  from  W.  Simmons  and 
said  to  be  very  large  & excellent 
500  stones  of  the  October  peach 

A parcel  of  the  roots  of  the  Sweet  scented  grass 
Box  & package  2.00 


16.00 

(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Maury.) 

Washington,  November  21,  1807. 

. . . The  crops  of  the  present  year  have  been  great  beyond  example. 
The  wheat  sown  for  the  ensuing  year  is  in  a great  measure  destroyed  by 
the  drought  and  the  fly.  A favorable  winter  and  spring  sometimes  do 
wonders  towards  recovering  unpromising  grain;  but  nothing  can  make 
the  next  crop  of  wheat  a good  one.  (Lipscomb  and  Bcrgh,  Jefferson 
11:  397-) 

(John  Threlkeld  to  Jefferson.) 

[Georgetown,]  Nov.  23,  [1807.] 

Mr.  Threlkeld  is  much  Obliged  to  Mr.  Jefferson  for  the  trees  and 
seeds  he  has  the  honor  to  send  him  six  Peach  Apricots  from  the  tree 
Mr.  Jefferson  had  at  Hepburn  Marked  No.  I two  Apricots  fruit  said 
to  belonge  (?)  from  the  Bishop  of  Bourdeaux’s  Garden  No.  2 and  two 
Peach  trees  the  fruit  tihe  finest  Mr  T.  ever  saw  Peches  not  Paries,  No  3 


354 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1807 

they  are  all  he  has  fit  to  send.  Mr.  T received  from  a Lady  near  Bour- 
deaux  abt  a month  ago  and  they  are  now  in  the  Ground  4 doz  Peach 
Apricot  Stones  the  Lady  saj^  Eat  by  herself  and  put  up  so  that  I may  be 
sure  of  the  kinds  and  to  use  her  own  words  Plus  de  8 pouces  frangois 
dans  sa  plus  Grande  et  7^  dans  sa  plus  Petit  Circonference  some  prunes 
De  Reine  Cloude.  The  best  kind  she  says  in  France  and  another  kind 
called  Prunes  de  Dattes  the  most  beautiful  in  appearance  but  not  Equal 
in  taste  if  they  should  succeed  Mr  T begs  Mr.  Jefferson’s  Acceptance  of 
some  of  them.  (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence'  152.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Washington,  Nov.  23.  07. 

. . . Davy  will  set  out  on  his  return  to-morrow.  He  will  carry  an 
earthen  box  of  monthly  strawberries,  which  I must  put  under  Anne’s 
care  till  spring,  when  we  will  plant  them  at  Monticello.  I have  stuck 
several  sprigs  of  geranium  in  a pot  which  contained  a plant  supposed  to 
be  orange,  but  not  known  to  be  so.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M,  H.  C. 
1;  118.) 

(Jefferson  to  Captain  Williana  Meriwether.) 

Washington  Nov.  24.  07. 

By  the  bearer  Davy,  I send  you,  according  to  our  arrangement,  the 
following  trees. 

N®.  I.  Six  Peach  Apricots  engrafted  from  an  engrafted  tree,  of  Italy. 
N®.  2.  two  Bourdeaux  Apricots,  large  & fine  in  quality. 

N®.  3.  two  Peach  trees  from  France,  soft,  said  to  be  the  finest  ever 
seen. 

also  a small  bag  containing  about  100.  Paccan  nuts,  fresh,  for  planting, 
wishing  you  all  possible  success  with  these  fruits,  which  are  of  pre- 
eminent value,  I salute  you  with  great  friendship  & respect.  (Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Nov.  24.  1807. 

Davy  has  been  detained  till  now,  the  earth  having  been  so  frozen  that 
the  plants  could  not  be  dug  up.  on  the  next  leaf  are  directions  what  to 
do  with  them,  in  addition  to  which  1 inclose  mf  Maine’s  directions  as  to 
the  thorns,  he  brings  a couple  of  Guinea  pigs,  which  I wish  you  to 
take  great  care  of,  as  I propose  to  g^t  this  kind  into  the  place  of  those  we 
have  now,  as  I greatly  prefer  their  size  & form.  I think  you  had  better 
keep  them  in  some  inuosure  near  your  house  till  spring.  I hope  my 
sheep  are  driven  up  every  night  & carefully  attended  to.  the  finishing 
every  thing  about  the  mill  is  what  I wish  always  to  have  a preference  to 
every  kind  of  worL  next  to  that  my  heart  is  most  set  on  finishing  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


3SS 


1807] 

garden.  I have  promised  mf  Craven  that  nothing  shall  run  next  year 
in  the  meadow  inclosure  where  his  clearing  will  be.  this  is  necessary 
for  ourselves  that  we  may  mow  the  clover  & feed  it  green.  I have  hired 
the  same  negroes  for  another  year,  & am  promised  them  as  long  as  I 
want  them.  . . . P.  S.  I have  forgot  to  mention  that  in  the  box  of 
Paccans  there  are  3.  papers  of  seeds,  to  wit,  Cucumber  tree,  Mountain 
Laurel,  & Pitch  pine,  the  a.  former  Wormley  must  plant  in  the 
Nursery,  and  he  must  plant  the  pitch  pine  in  the  woods  along  the  new 
road  leading  from  the  house  to  the  river,  on  both  sides  of  the  road,  he 
is  just  to  lay  the  seed  on  the  ground  & scratch  half  an  inch  of  earth  over 
it.  {Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

Directions  for  Mr.  Bacon 

If  the  weather  is  not  open  and  soft  when  Davy  arrives,  put  the  box 
of  thorns  into  the  cellar,  where  they  may  be  entirely  free  from  the  in- 
fluence of  cold,  until  the  weather  becomes  soft,  when  they  must  be 
planted  in  the  places  of  those  dead  through  the  whole  of  the  hedges 
which  inclose  the  two  orchards,  so  that  the  old  and  the  new  shall  be 
complete,  at  6 inches’  distance  from  every  plant.  If  any  remain,  plant 
them  in  the  nursery  of  thorns.  There  are  2,000.  I send  Mr.  Maine’s 
written  instructions  about  them,  which  must  be  followed  most  minutely. 
The  other  trees  he  brings  are  to  be  planted  as  follows: 

4 Purple  beaches.  In  the  clumps  which  are  in  the  southwest  and 
northwest  angles  of  the  house,  (which  Wormley  knows.)  There  were 
four  of  these  trees  planted  last  spring,  2 in  each  clump.  They  all  died, 
but  the  places  will  be  known  by  the  remains  of  the  trees,  or  by  the  sticks 
marked  No.  IV.  in  the  places.  I wish  these  now  sent  to  be  planted  in 
the  same  places. 

4 Robinias,  or  red  locusts.  In  the  dumps  in  the  N.E.  and  S.  E.  angles 
of  the  house.  There  were  2 of  these  planted  last  spring,  to  wit,  i in 
each.  They  are  dead,  and  two  of  them  are  to  be  planted  in  the  same 
places,  which  may  be  found  by  the  remains  of  the  trees,  or  by  sticks 
marked  V.  The  other  2 may  be  planted  in  any  vacant  places  in  the 
S.AV.  and  N.W.  angles. 

4 Prickly  ash.  In  the  S.W.  angle  of  the  house  there  was  planted  one 
of  these  trees  last  spring,  and  in  the  N.W.  angle  2 others.  They  are 
dead.  3 of  those  now  sent  are  to  be  planted  in  their  places,  which  may 
be  found  by  the  remains  of  the  trees,  or  by  sticks  marked  VII.  The 
fourth  may  be  planted  in  some  vacant  space  of  the  S.W.  angle. 

6 Spitzenberg  apple  trees.  Plant  them  in  the  S.E.  orchard  in  any 
place  where  apples  have  been  planted  and  are  dead. 

5 Peach  trees.  Plant  in  the  S.E.  orchard,  wherever  peach  trees  have 
died. 

300  October  peach  stones;  a box  of  Peccan  nuts.  The  nursery  must 
be  enlarged,  and  these  planted  in  the  new  parts,  and  Mr.  Perry  must 
immediately  extend  the  paling  so  as  to  include  these,  and  make  the 
whole  secure  against  hares. 


Jefflrson’s  Garden  Book 


356 


[1807 


Some  turfs  of  a particular  grass.  Wormley  must  plant  them  in  some 
safe  place  of  the  orchard,  where  he  will  know  them,  and  keep  other  glass 
from  the  place.  (Pierson,  Monticello;  41—43.) 

(Fred  H.  Wollaston  to  Jefferson.) 

Fhilada.  9.  Deer.  1807 

I have  the  honor  to  forward  to  you  a letter  from  your  estimabl  friend 
Mr.  Marrie  [— Mazzei],  whom  I left  at  Pisa  on  the  19th  Septr.  re- 
covering fast  from  his  late  dangerous  illness.  ...  . 

I hope  in  a few  weeks  to  deliver  to  you  in  person  a small  phial  of 
Strawberry  Seeds  from  the  above  named  respectable  friend.  . . . 
{Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri  3:  loa.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  P.  Reibelt.) 

Washington  Dec.  22.  07. 

Your  favor  of  Oct.  25  with  the  seed  of  the  wild  Estragon  came  to 
hand  last  night  for  which  I now  return  you  my  thanks,  the  inclosed 
duplicate  of  my  letter  of  Aug.  12.  written  from  Monticello,  will  ex- 
plain to  you  why  your  letter  of  Mar.  12  could  not  be  answered  until  I 
returned  to  Monticello  where  I had  left  Parkyn’s  designs  of  gardens, 
and  that  I then  inclosed  them  to  you  with  the  letter.  , . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

“Memorandums” 

The  following  miscellaneous  memoranda  to  Mr.  Bacon  are 
taken  from  Jeferson  at  Monticello,  by  Pierson.  They  are  un- 
dated except  for  the  year: 

The  first  work  to  be  done,  is  to  finish  everything  at  the  mill ; to  wit, 
the  dam,  the  stone  still  wanting  in  the  south  abutment,  the  digging  for 
the  addition  to  the  toll  mill,  the  waste,  the  dressing  off  the  banks  and 
hollows  about  the  mill-houses,  making  the  banks  of  the  canal  secure 
everywhere.  In  all  these  things  Mr.  Walker  will  direct  what  is  to  be 
done,  and  how. 

The  second  job  is  the  fence  from  near  Nance’s  house  to  the  river,  the 
course  of  which  will  be  shown.  Previous  to  this  a change  in  the  road  is 
to  be  made,  which  will  be  shown  also. 

As  this  fence  will  completely  separate  the  river  field  from  the  other 
grounds,  that  field  is  to  be  cleaned  up ; the  spots  in  it  still  in  wood  are 
to  be  cut  down  where  they  are  not  too  steep  for  culture ; a part  of  the 
field  is  to  be  planted  in  Quarantine  corn,  which  will  be  found  in  a tin 
canister  in  my  closet.  This  corn  is  to  be  in  drills  5 feet  apart,  and  the 
stalks  18  inches  asunder  in  the  drills.  The  rest  of  the  ground  is  to  be 
sown  in  oats,  and  red  clover  sowed  on  the  oats.  All  ploughing  is  to  be 
* done  horizontally,  in  the  manner  Mr.  Randolph  does  his. 

180  Cords  of  coal  wood  are  next  to  be  cut.  The  wood  cut  in  the 
river  field  will  make  a part,  and  let  the  rest  be  cut  in  the  flat  lands  on 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


357 


1807] 

the  meadow  branch  south  of  the  overseer’s  house,  which  I intend  for  a 
Timothy  meadow.  Let  the  wood  be  all  corded,  that  there  may  be  no 
deception  as  to  the  quantity.  A kiln  will  be  wanting  to  be  burnt  before 
Christmas;  but  the  rest  of  the  wood  had  better  lie  seasoning  till  spring, 
when  it  will  be  better  to  burn  it. 

When  these  things  are  done,  the  levelling  of  the  garden  is  to  be  re- 
sumed. The  hands  having  already  worked  at  this,  they  understand  the 
work.  John  best  knows  how  to  finish  off  the  levelling. 

I have  hired  all  the  hands  belonging  to  Mrs.  and  Miss  Dangerfield, 
for  the  next  year.  They  are  nine  in  number.  Moses  the  miller  is  to 
be  sent  home  when  his  year  is  up.  With  these  will  work  in  common, 
Isaac,  Charles,  Ben,  Shepherd,  Abram,  Davy,  John,  and  Shoemaker 
Phill;  making  a gang  of  17  hands.  Martin  is  the  miller,  and  Jerry  will 
drive  his  wagon. 

Those  who  work  in  the  nailery,  are  Moses,  Wormly,  Jame  Hubbard, 
Barnaby,  Isbel’s  Davy,  Bedford  John,  Bedford  Davy,  Phill  Hubbard, 
Bartlet,  and  Lewis.  They  are  sufficient  for  two  fires,  five  at  a fire.  I 
am  desirous  a single  man,  a smith  should  be  hired  to  work  with  them,  to 
see  that  their  nails  are  well  made,  and  to  superintend  them  generally;  if 
such  an  one  can  be  found  for  $150  or  $200  a year,  though  I would 
rather  give  him  a share  in  the  nails  made,  say  one-eighth  of  the  price  of 
all  the  nails  made,  deducting  the  cost  of  the  iron ; if  such  a person  can  be 
got,  Isbel’s  Davy  may  be  withdrawn  to  drive  the  mule  wagon,  and 
Sampson  join  the  laborers.  There  will  then  be  nine  nailers,  besides  the 
manager,  so  that  10  may  still  work  at  two  fires;  the  manager  to  have  a 
log  house  built,  and  to  have  500  lbs.  of  pork.  The  nails  are  to  be  sold 
by  Mr.  Bacon,  and  the  accounts  to  be  kept  by  him;  and  he  is  to  direct 
at  all  times  what  nails  are  to  be  made. 

The  toll  of  the  mill  is  to  be  put  away  in  the  two  garners  made,  which 
are  to  have  secure  locks,  and  Mr.  Bacon  is  to  keep  the  keys.  When 
they  are  getting  too  full,  the  wagons  should  carry  the  grain  to  the  over- 
seer's house,  to  be  carefully  stowed  away.  In  general,  it  will  be  better 
to  use  all  the  bread  corn  from  the  mill  from  week  to  week,  and  only 
bring  away  the  surplus.  Mr.  Randolph  is  hopper-free  and  toll-free  at 
the  mill.  Mr.  Eppes  having  leased  his  plantation  and  gang,  they  are  to 
pay  toll  hereafter. 

. . . Davy  and  Abram  may  patch  up  the  old  garden  pales  when  work 
is  going  on  from  which  they  can  best  be  spared. 

The  thorn  hedges  are  to  be  kept  dean  wed  at  all  times. 

There  is  a spout  across  the  canal  near  the  head,  which,  if  left  as  at 
present,  will  do  mischief.  I will  give  verbal  directions  about  it. 

As  soon  as  the  Aspen  trees  lose  their  leaves,  take  up  one  or  two  hun- 
dred of  the  young  trees,  not  moie  than  2 or  3 feet  high;  tie  them  in 
bundles,  with  the  roots  well  covered  with  straw.  Young  Davy  being 
to  carry  Fanny  to  Washington,  he  is  to  take  the  little  cart,  (which  must 
be  put  into  the  soundest  order,)  to  fake  these  trees  on  board.  3 Boxes 
in  my  study,  marked  to  go  by  him  and  Fanny  and  her  things.  She  must 
take  corn  for  their  meals,  and  provisions  for  themselves  to  Washington. 


358 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1807 

Fodder  they  can  buy  on  the  road.  I leave  $6  with  you,  to  give  them  to 
pay  unavoidable  expenses.  If  he  could  have  2 mules,  without  stopping 
a wagon,  it  would  be  better.  They  are  to  go  as  soon  as  the  Aspen 
leaves  fall. 

The  nailers  are  to  work  on  the  dam  till  finished,  and  then  go  to  their 
shop.  The  verbal  directions  which  I gave  Mr.  Bacon  respecting  Car- 
roll's  farm,  will  be  recollected  and  observed. 

When  the  work  at  the  mill  is  done,  and  the  fence  mended  up  on  the 
top  of  the  mountain,  take  as  much  time  with  your  hands  as  will  fill  all 
the  gullies  in  the  field  north  of  the  overseer’s  house,  (called  Belfield,) 
with  bushes,  &c.,  so  that  they  may  be  filling  up  by  the  time  we  are  ready 
to  clean  it  up.  The  scalded  places  should  also  be  covered  with  bushes. 

The  orchard  below  the  garden  must  be  entirely  cultivated  the  next 
year ; to  wit,  a part  in  Ravenscrof t pea,  which  you  will  find  in  a canister 
in  my  closet;  a part  with  Irish  potatoes,  and  the  rest  with  cow-pea,  of 
which  there  is  a patch  at  Mr.  Freeman’s,  to  save  which,  great  attention 
must  be  paid,  as  they  are  the  last  in  the  neighborhood. 

Get  from  Mr.  Perry  and  Mr.  Dinsmore,  an  estimate  of  all  the  nails 
we  shall  want  for  the  house  in  Bedford;  and  when  you  have  no  orders 
to  execute  for  others,  let  the  boys  be  making  them,  and  keep  them  sepa- 
rate from  all  others;  and  when  the  wagon  goes  up  at  Christmas,  send 
what  then  shall  be  ready. 

Mr.  Higginbotham  has  all  my  transportation  to  and  from  Richmond 
under  his  care.  He  settles  with  the  watermen,  and  pays  them.  I do 
not  wish  to  have  any  accounts  with  them. 

These  rains  have  possibly  spoiled  the  fodder  you  had  agreed  for.  You 
had  better  see  it,  and  if  injured,  look  out  in  time  for  more. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  wants  Allen’s  plank  brought  up  immediately.  If  you 
choose  it,  you  can  take  your  half  beef  now,  killing  one  for  that  purpose, 
and  sending  the  other  half  to  the  house,  or  to  Mr.  Randolph’s.  (Pier- 
son, Monticello:  45-52.) 

A Stray  memorandum,  probably  to  Bacon : 

1807.  dean  all  the  ground  [illegible  for  one  line]  in  autumn  finish  that 
Roundabout  or  rather  finish  the  4“*.  Roundab*  in  order — in 
winter  to  move  the  fence  to  the  4”*.  Roundabout.  {Jefferson 
Papers,  M,  H.  S.) 

From  the  Account  Book  1807; 

Mar.  12.  gave  Davy  & Isaac  for  their  expences  home  10.D. 

April  20.  gave  Isaac  .50  for  bringing  cider  & trees  from  CoK  Cole’s 
yesterday, 

July  30.  gave  Tho*  Main  ord.  on  bfc.  U.S.  for  59.25  for  trees  &c. 
Aug.  12.  indosed  to  R.  Jefferson  20.  D.  to  pay  for  grass  seeds. 

Nov.  34.  gave  Davy  for  expenses  to  Monticello  6.  D. 

Dec.  17.  p^  Maine  for  plants  16.  D. 


i8o8 

1808  * On  December  27  of  the  preceding  year  Jefferson 
wrote  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Trist,  “The  ensuing  year  will  be  the 
longest  year  of  my  life.”  It  was  certainly  a trying  year. 

The  year  saw  not  only  repercussions  of  the  Burr  conspiracy 
in  the  action  of  the  Senate  expelling  John  Smith,  an  Ohio 
Senator,  from  membership  in  that  body,  but  also  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  Embargo  and  the  coming  to  a head  of  the  New 
Orleans  Batture  Case.  On  November  7 Jefferson  delivered 
his  final  message  to  the  joint  session  of  Congress.  It  was  an- 
other election  year.  Jefferson  refused  to  run  for  a third  term. 
The  Republicans  again  were  victorious  with  James  Madison 
elected  President. 

The  usual  two  visits  were  made  to  Montkello,  the  first  from 
May  II  to  June  8,  and  the  second  from  July  23  to  September 
28.  A trip  to  Poplar  Forest,  where  his  new  house  was  taking 
shape,  occurred  during  the  summer  visit. 

Plans,  memoranda,  and  letters  were  as  voluminous  as  in  the 
preceding  year.  However,  no  entries  were  made  in  the  Gar- 
den Book  or  in  the  Farm  Book.  Jefferson  had  only  one  year 
left  to  get  Montkello  in  shape  for  his  retirement,  and  as  yet 
it  was  far  from  complete. 

The  two  outstanding  improvements  made  in  the  grounds 
were  the  leveling  of  the  old  vegetable  garden  (see  letters,  Jef- 
ferson to  Bacon  and  Randolph,  February  23,  1808),  and  the 
laying  out  of  the  winding  walk  and  the  flower  borders,  along 
each  side  of  it,  on  the  broad  lawn  back  of  the  house,  (See 
letters,  Jefferson  to  Anne  Cary  Randolph,  June  7,  1807,  and 
February  16,  1808;  also  plates  XXIV  and  XXV.)  A paling 
fence  was  also  planned  to  surround  the  garden.  (See  letter, 
Jefferson  to  Watkins,  September  27,  1808.) 

Jefferson’s  new  agricultural  interest  this  year  was  the  benne 
oil  and  seed.  The  oil  was  sent  to  him  by  Mr.  William  Few, 
of  New  York,  and  Jefferson  thought  it  equal  to  olive  oil  in  its 

* * This  year  not  represented  in  the  Garden  Book. 

3S9 


^60  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1808 

uses.  He  was  later  to  try  growing  benne  seed  at  MonticcUo, 
but  never  with  much  success. 

The  house  was  still  incomplete.  Floors  were  laid,  the 
South  Pavilion  was  remodeled,  and  work  on  the  terraces  over 
the  offices  went  on.  More  relics  were  added  to  the  Indian 
Hall,  especially  those  given  to  him  by  Meriwether  Lewis. 
Mr.  Clark  presented  bones  of  an  animal  he  had  excavated  in 
Indiana. 

The  problem  of  the  mill  was  still  unsolved.  Mr.  Shoe- 
maker was  proving  to  be  an  unsatisfactory  tenant.  Added  to 
these  problems  was  the  loss  of  the  mill-dam  by  a freshet  in  the 
Rivanna  River. 

Interesting  letters  passed  between  Jefferson  and  his  grand- 
daughters on  plants  and  the  garden.  Letters  also  continued 
between  Jefferson  and  McMahon,  from  whom  he  again  bought 
seeds  and  plants.  The  following  letters  and  memoranda  show 
the  wide  agricultural  interest  during  the  year. 

A fish  pond  was  built  near  the  South  Pavilion,  mainly  to 
conserve  water,  but  also  to  serve  as  a decorative  part  of  the 
flower  garden.  Jefferson  wrote  in  his  Weather  Memorandum 
Book  X'JT6-iB20:  “The  fish  pond  near  the  S.  Pavilion  is  an 
Ellipses  5.  yds.  wide,  10.  yds.  long  ==  40.  sq.  yds.,  very  nearly 
I.  yard  deep  = 40.  cub.  yds.  contents.” 

On  February  i Jefferson  made  plans  for  an  experimental 
garden.  He  left  with  Mr.  Bacon  the  following  instructions; 

1808.  Feb.  I.  in  all  the  open  grounds  on  both  sides  of  the  3".  & 
4“*.  Roundabouts,  lay  off  lots  for  the  minor  articles 
of  husbandry,  and  for  experimental  culture,  disposing 
them  into  a ferme  ornee  by  interspersing  occasionally 
the  attributes  of  a garden.  [See  plates  XXVI  and 
XXVII.] 

the  farming  articles  as  follows 


perennials 

Orchard  grass  Pani  Corn followed  by  Pumpkins 

Peruvian  grass  Ravensworth  pea round  Potatoes 

S‘.  foin  Buckwheat  carrots 

Lucerne  Cherokee  corn Miami  melon 

Succory  Albany  pea Beet 

Burnet  Sesamum  Turneps 

Vetch  Rape Cotton 

Sweet  potatoes 

Jers.  Artichoke  » 


{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


361 


1 808] 

From  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book  j7‘/6-i820: 

1808.  May  22.  Magnolia  glauca  blossoms. 

May  31.  counted  in  the  nursery  as  follows 

artichokes,  red.  35.  in  upper  bed. 

green  140.  in  lower  bed 
Asparagus.  Cooper’s  pale  green.  237 
Salsaha.  Missouri.  13. 

June  7.  sowed  in  Nursery  (lower  part)  yew  berries,  and 
Furze. 

Aug.  16.  planted  15.  wild  cherry  stones  brought  from  the 
Misipi  by  mrs  Trist,  in  the  nursery.  Wormly  was 
directed  to  plant  them  6.  1.  apart  & mark  them  par- 
ticularly. they  are  different  from  our  wild  cherry, 
mr  Randolph  supposes  it  may  be  Pad  us  avium. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1808 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Esq.) 

Washington,  January  3,  1808. 

...  It  is  now  among  my  most  fervent  longings  to  be  on  my  farm, 
which,  with  a garden  and  fruitery,  will  constitute  my  principal  occupa- 
tion in  retirement.  I have  lately  received  the  proceedings  of  the  Agri- 
cultural Society  of  Paris.  They  are  proceeding  with  enthusiasm  & un- 
derstanding. I have  been  surprised  to  find  that  the  rotation  of  crops 
and  substitution  of  some  profitable  growth  preparatory  for  grain,  in- 
stead of  the  useless  and  expensive  fdlow,  is  yet  only  dawning  among 
them.  ...  I lately  received  from  Colonel  Few  in  New  York,  a bottle 
of  the  oil  of  Beni,  believed  to  be  a sesamum.  I did  not  believe  there 
existed  so  perfect  a substitute  for  olive  oil.  Like  that  of  Florence,  it  has 
no  taste,  and  is  perhaps  rather  more  limpid.  A bushel  of  seed  yields 
three  gallons  of  oil ; and  Governor  Milledge,  of  Georgia,  says  the  plant 
will  grow  wherever  Palmi  Christ!  will.  It  is  worth  your  attention,  and 
you  can  probably  get  seed  from  Colonel  Few.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh, 
Jefferson  il*.  411-412.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Few.) 

Washington  Jan.  3.  08. 

I thank  you  for  the  specimen  of  Benni  oil  which  you  were  so  kind  as 
to  send  me.  I did  not  believe  before  that  there  existed  so  perfect  a substi- 
tute for  olive  oil.  I tried  it  at  table  with  many  companies  & dicir  guesses 
between  two  dishes  of  salad  dressing,  the  one  with  olive  oil,  the  other 
with  that  of  Beni,  shewed  the  quality  of  the  latter  in  favor  of  which  the 
greater  number  guessed,  certainly  I would  prefer  to  have  it  always 
fresh  from  my  own  fields  to  the  other  brought  across  the  Atlantic  and 
exposed  in  hot  warehouses.  I am  therefore  determined  to  go  into  the 
culture  of  it  for  domestic  use,  and  should  be  thankful  to  you  for  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


362 


[1808 


process  of  expressing  the  oil  from  the  seed  in  which  you  appear  to  have 
succeeded  so  perfectly,  all  the  minutiae  in  new  processes  give  aid  to- 
wards perfecting  them.  D'.  Mitchell  supposes  the  Benni  is  a Sesamum. 

. . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Washington  Jan.  6.  08. 

Your  ingenious  friend,  mf  Martin,  formerly  made  for  me  a drill  of 
very  fine  construction.  I am  now  very  desirous  of  sending  one  of  them 
to  the  Agricultural  society  of  Paris,  with  whom  I am  in  correspondence, 
& who  are  sending  me  a plough,  supposed  to  be  of  the  best  construction 
ever  known,  on  trial  with  their  best  ploughs,  by  a dynamometer,  it  is 
drawn  by  from  one  half  to  J of  the  force  requisite  to  their  best  former 
ploughs,  will  you  be  so  good  as  to  get  mf  Martin  to  make  me  one  of 
his  best  drills,  sparing  no  pains  to  make  the  workmanship  worthy  of  the 
object,  to  pack  it  in  a box  and  contrive  it  for  me  to  Fredericksburg,  the 
cost  shall  be  remitted  him  as  soon  as  known.  I sec  by  the  agricultural 
transactions  of  the  Paris  society,  they  are  cultivating  the  Jerusalem 
artichoke  for  feeding  their  animals,  they  make  10,000  lb  to  the  acre, 
which  they  say  is  three  times  as  much  as  they  generally  make  of  the 
potatoe.  The  African  negroes  brought  over  to  Georgia  a seed  which 
they  called  Beni,  & the  botanists  Sesamum.  I lately  received  a bottle  of 
the  oil,  which  was  eaten  with  sallad  by  various  companies,  all  agree  it 
is  equal  to  the  olive  oil,  a bushel  of  seed  yields  3.  gallons  of  oil.  I 
propose  to  cultivate  it  for  my  own  use  at  least,  the  embargo  keeping  at 
home  our  vessels,  cargoes  & seamen,  saves  us  the  necessity  of  making 
their  capture  the  cause  of  immediate  war;  for  if  going  to  England, 
France  had  determined  to  take  them,  if  to  any  other  place,  England  was 
to  take  them,  till  they  return  to  some  sense  of  moral  duty  therefore,  we 
keep  within  ourselves,  this  gives  time,  time  may  produce  peace  in 
Europe,  peace  in  Europe  removes  all  causes  of  differences  till  another 
European  war;  & by  that  time  our  debt  may  be  paid,  our  revenues  dear, 
& our  strength  increased.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(William  Few  to  Jefferson.) 

New  York  Jan.  ii,  1808. 

[Tells  Jefferson  how  to  extract  oil  from  Beni  seeds  and  the  history  of 
its  introduction  to  America.]  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Jan.  19.  08. 

...  1 am  very  sorry  indeed  to  hear  how  little  the  tollmill  gets,  how- 
ever I hope  you  keep  an  exact  account  of  all  the  toll  she  gets,  as  nothing 
bujt  exact  observations  of  that  can  enable  us  to  know  for  how  much  we 
may  depend  on  her  as  to  our  year's  provisions.  I am  in  hopes  that  from 
Saturday  to  this  day  you  will  have  been  able  to  fill  my  ice  house,  the 
lambs  which  fell  in  this  weather  will  require  vast  care  to  be  preserved 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1808] 


363 


from  the  cold.  I have  some  dropped  here  which  require  great  attention, 
the  chief  difficulty  is  to  have  the  ewes  in  such  a sheltered  situation  that 
the  lambs  dropped  may  not  perish  before  they  are  found.  ...  I shall  be 
glad  to  know  from  time  to  time  how  far  you  advance  in  finishing  the 
garden,  counting  by  the  hundred  feet  from  the  South  West  end.  when- 
ever you  find  that  you  dig  so  deep  as  to  have  to  carry  your  earth  too  far, 
take  a new  level  at  the  midway  of  the  breadth  of  the  garden.  . . . { Jef- 
ferson Papers j Huntington.) 


(Anne  Cary  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Edgehill  January  22  1808 

...  I have  not  been  to  Monticello  since  we  came  from  there  but 
Jefferson  was  there  the  other  day  & says  that  the  green  house  is  not 
done,  both  your  ice  house  & ours  are  filled.  I was  at  M”  Lewis's  on 
my  way  from  the  North  Garden  she  told  me  she  had  saved  some  of  the 
seed  of  the  Cypress  vine  for  you  & some  prickly  ash  trees,  the  Alpine 
Strawberries  are  doing  very  well.  ■ we  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose 
the  Mignonett  entirely  although  Mama  divided  it  between  M"  Lewis 
Aunt  Jane  & herself  but  none  of  it  seeded  M”  Lewis  supposes  that  the 
climate  is  too  cold  for  it  for  she  has  had  it  repeatedly  before  & it  never 
would  seed,  we  have  a plenty  of  the  two  kinds  of  Marigolds  that  you 
gave  us.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 


(William  Hamilton  to  Jefferson.) 

The  Woodlands,  Feb.  5,  1808. 

[He  asks  about  the  winter  Haw  which  grows  so  beautifully  around 
Washington.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Hamilton,  March  i.]  . . . Mr. 
Lewis’s  seeds  have  not  yet  vegetated  freely,  more  however  may  come  up 
with  this  coming  spring.  I have  nevertheless  obtained  plants  of  the  yel- 
low wood,  or  Osage  apple,  seven  or  eight  of  gooseberries  & one  of  his 
kinds  of  Aricara  tobacco,  have  flowered  so  well  as  to  afford  me  an 
elegant  drawing  of  it.  ...  I have  prepared  for  you  plants  of  Brous- 
sonetia  papyrifera  or  paper  mulberry, — iterculia  platanifolia  (wrongly 
called  China  varnish  tree)  & Mimosa  julibrisin.  They  were  all  de- 
signed to  come  last  year,  but  no  suitable  opportunity  offered.  I hope  I 
will  be  more  lucky  this  year,  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Anne  Cary  Randolph.) 

^ Washington  Feb.  16.  08. 

The  time  at  which  Congress  will  adjourn  is  very  uncertain ; but  cer- 
tainly will  not  till  April,  and  whether  I shall  be  free  to  come  home  even 
then  is  doubtful,  under  these  prospects  I shall  not  attempt  to  get  any 
more  flower  roots  & seeds  from  Philadelphia  this  season,  and  must  rely 
entirely  on  you  to  preserve  those  we  have  by  having  them  planted  in 
proper  time,  this  you  will  see  from  M'.Mahon’s  book,  & mf  Bacon  will 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


364 


[i8o8 


make  Wormley  prepare  the  beds  whenever  you  let  him  know,  so  that 
they  may  be  ready  when  you  go  over  to  set  out  the  roots,  the  first  time 
I come  home  I will  lay  out  the  projected  flower  borders  around  the  level 
so  that  they  shall  be  ready  for  the  next  fall ; and  in  the  spring  of  the  next 
year  I will  bring  home  a full  collection  of  roots  & plants,  we  shall  then 
have  room  enough  for  every  thing.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  Anthony  G.  Bettay.) 

Washington,  February  18,  1808. 

...  I shall  be  very  glad  to  receive  some  seed  of  the  silk  nettle  which 
you  describe,  with  a view  to  have  it  raised,  and  its  uses  tried,  I have 
not  been  able  to  find  that  any  of  your  delegates  here  has  received  it.  If 
you  would  be  so  good  as  to  send  me  a small  packet  of  it  by  post,  it  will 
come  safely,  and  I will  immediately  commit  it  to  a person  who  will  try 
it  with  the  utmost  care.  I salute  you  with  respect.  (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  11 : 442-443.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Feb,  23,  08. 

I received  last  night  your  letter  of  the  by  which  I learn  you  have 
done  250.  f,  of  the  garden,  were  we  to  go  on,  reducing  the  whole  to  the 
same  level  we  have  begun  with,  the  labor  would  be  immense.  I there- 
fore conclude  to  do  it  in  4,  levels  of  250.  f.  each,  and  taking  such  a level 
for  each  as  that  the  earth  to  be  dug  away  shall  first  fill  up  the  part  which 
is  too  low.  in  this  way  each  quarter  of  250.  f.  will  do  itself,  and  there 
will  be  no  earth  to  carry  out  of  it.  I have  this  day  written  to  mr  Ran- 
dolph to  request  him  to  go  and  fix  the  level  of  the  second  quarter,  in  a 
way  which  I have  described  to  him.  this  will  shorten  your  work  im- 
mensely. I am  glad  to  hear  you  have  lost  no  lambs,  you  must  attend 
to  the  males  being  cut  at  a proper  season  in  the  spring:  and  at  shearing 
time  remember  that  the  lambs  are  not  to  be  shorn.  I have  here  18 
ewes  and  shall  have  about  the  same  number  of  lambs  from  them,  by  a 
many  horned  ram,  all  of  which  I shall  propose  to  have  driven  to  Monti- 
cello  in  the  summer,  this  breed  being  very  different  from  the  big-tail 
we  shall  have  to  provide  two  separate  ranges  for  them. 

I am  sorry  to  find  the  mill  gets  so  little  corn,  however  in  the  summer 
she  will  get  more.  . , . (Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington  Feb.  23,  ’08. 

...  I received  a letter  from  mf  Bacon  last  night  which  obliges  me  to 
ask  you  to  take  a ride  to  Monticello  to  advise  him  in  his  operations  on 
the  garden,  he  has  done  250,  feet,  should  he  go  on  in  the  same  level 
we  assumed  at  first,  the  labour  will  be  enormous  on  account  of  the 
prodigious  mass  of  earth  we  should  have  to  dig  k the  great  distance  to 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1808] 


36s 


carry  it.  for  that  reason  I propose  to  have  the  garden  done  in  4.  differ- 
ent levels  of  350.  f.  length,  from  East  to  West,  each,  having  done  one 
of  these,  a second  should  be  measured  off  and  a new  level  assumed  for 
that,  so  that  the  earth  to  be  dug  away  from  what  is  too  high  shall  just 
fill  up  the  part  which  is  too  low,  as  nearly  as  can  be  guessed,  to  do  this 
I should  plant  myself  in  such  a point  near  the  middle  of  the  250  f.  piece, 
as  my  eye  would  tell  me  would  furnish  as  much  to  be  dug  away  as  to  be 
filled  up.  the  rafter  level  should  then  be  run  from  that  point  to  each 
end  of  the  250  f.  and  sticks  stuck,  this  would  enable  the  eye  to  form 
a better  guess  than  the  first  & to  correct  that  by  taking  a new  level 
a little  higher  or  a little  lower,  as  the  eye  should  judge,  and  making 
the  level  line  with  sticks  by  the  rafter  level,  and  this  would  divide  the 
part  to  be  dug  from  that  to  be  filled.  I formerly  wrote  to  him  to  do 
this,  but  I doubt  if  he  can,  and  therefore  ask  the  favor  of  your  assistance 
to  him,  as  it  will  save  an  immensity  of  work,  my  affectionate  love  is 
constantly  with  you  all.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  William  Hamilton.) 

Washington  Mar.  1.  08. 

I received  in  due  time  your  friendly  letter  of  Feb.  5.  and  was  much 
gratified  by  the  opportunity  it  gave  me  of  being  useful  to  you  even  on 
that  small  scale.  I was  retarded  in  the  execution  of  your  request  by  the 
necessity  of  riding  myself  to  the  only  careful  gardener  on  whom  I have 
found  I could  rely,  & who  lives  3.  miles  out  of  town,  it  was  several 
days  before  I could  find  leisure  enough  for  such  a ride,  he  has  this  day 
brought  me  a box,  in  which  are  packed  the  plants  stated  in  the  enclosed 
paper  from  him;  that  is  to  say  I2.  plants  of  what  he  calls  the  Winter 
berry  (Prinus  verticillatus)  which  he  does  not  doubt  to  be  the  plant 
designated  in  your  letter  as  the  Winter  haw.  in  fact  the  swamps  in  this 
neighborhood  are  now  red  with  this  berry.  O'".  Ott  however  conceived 
another  plant  to  be  that  you  meant,  and  delivered  the  gardener  some 
berries  of  it,  which  I now  enclose  you.  should  these  berries  be  of  the 
plant  you  meant,  on  your  signifying  it  to  me  it  may  still  be  in  time  to 
procure  & forward  it  to  you.  apprehending  myself  that  neither  of  these 
plants  might  be  the  one  you  wished,  but  a real  haw.  now  full  of  beautiful 
scarlet  berries,  and  which  I have  never  seen  but  in  this  neighborhood,  I 
directed  mr  Maine  (the  gardener  I mentioned)  to  put  half  a hundred 
of  them  into  the  box.  even  should  they  not  be  what  you  had  in  view 
still  you  should  know  this  plant,  which  is  peculiar  at  least  to  America  & 
is  a real  treasure,  as  a thorn  for  hedges  nothing  has  ever  been  seen  com- 
parable to  it  certainly  no  thorn  in  England  which  I have  ever  seen  makes 
a. hedge  any  more  to  be  compared  to  this  than  a log  hut  to  a wall  of 
freestone,  if  you  will  plant  these  6.  I.  apart  you  will  be  a judge  of 
their  superiority  soon,  he  has  put  into  the  box  8,  plants  of  the  tree 
haw  you  dcsir^,  taken  from  the  very  spot  from  which  D'".  Ott  had 
formerly  got  them  for  Doct^  Muhlenberg,  you  will  find  a nut  from 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


366 


[1808 


them  in  the  top  of  the  box.  these  were  all  the  small  plants  which  he 
could  get  with  any  roots,  to  these  I have  added  9.  plants  of  the  Aspen 
from  Monticello  which  I formerly  mentioned  & promised  to  you.  it  is 
a very  sensible  variety  from  any  other  I have  seen  in  this  country, 
superior  in  the  straitness  & paper  whiteness  of  the  body;  & the  leaf  is 
longei  in  it’s  stem  consequently  more  tremulous,  and  it  is  smooth  (not 
downy)  on  it’s  underside,  the  box  goes  in  the  stage  of  this  evening 
under  the  immediate  care  of  mf  Sodershorn’s  servant. 

I am  very  thankful  to  you  for  thinking  of  me  in  the  destination  of 
some  of  your  fine  collection,  within  one  year  from  this  time  I shall  be 
retired  to  occupations  of  my  own  choice,  among  which  the  farm  & garden 
will  be  conspicuous  parts,  my  green  house  is  only  a piazza  adjoining 
my  study,  because  I mean  it  for  nothing  more  than  some  oranges. 
Mimosa  Farnesiana  & a very  few  things  of  that  kind.  I remember  to 
have  been  much  taken  with  a plant  in  your  green  house,  extremely 
odoriferous,  and  not  large,  perhaps  12.  or  15.  I.  high  if  I recollect 
rightly,  you  said  you  would  furnish  me  a plant  or  two  of  it  when  I 
should  signify  that  I was  ready  for  them,  perhaps  you  may  remember 
it  from  this  circumstance,  tho’  I have  forgot  the  name,  this  I would 
ask  for  the  next  spring  if  we  can  find  out  what  it  was,  and  some  seeds 
of  the  Mimosa  Farnesiana  or  Nilotica.  the  Mimosa  Julibrisin  or  silk 
tree  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me  is  now  safe  here,  about  15,  I.  high. 
I shall  carry  it  carefully  to  Monticello.  I will  not  trouble  you  for  the 
paper  Mulberry  mf  Maine  having  supplied  me  with  I2.  or  15.  which 
are  now  growing  at  Monticello.  your  collection  is  really  a noble  one, 
& in  making  & attending  to  it  you  have  deserved  well  of  your  country, 
when  I become  a man  of  leisure  I may  be  troublesome  to  you.  perhaps 
curiosity  or  health  may  lead  you  into  the  neighborhood  of  Monticello 
some  day,  where  I shall  be  very  happy  to  receive  you  & be  instructed  by 
you  how  to  overcome  some  if  it’s  difficulties.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.C.) 


(JefEerson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Mar,  8.  08. 

I received  yesterday  yours  of  the  4*N  I would  have  you  sow  in  oats 
the  whole  of  the  field  we  got  of  mf  Craven,  and  plant  your  last  year’s 
clearing  in  Fani  corn,  that  is  the  kind  of  corn  which  was  planted  last 
year  below  the  garden,  the  other  kinds  of  corn  I would  not  have 
planted  at  all,  as  the  Pani  is  the  best.  I wish  it  were  possible  for  you  to 
get  red  clover  seed  to  sow  with  your  oats.  Col“.  Lewis  used  to  raise 
seed  for  sale,  in  the  open  parts  below  the  garden  and  in  the  South 
orchard  I would  plant  Ravensworth  peas,  Cowpeas,  and  Irish  potatoes, 
because  in  cultivating  them  we  shall  get  rid  of  the  briars,  bushes,  weeds 
&c.  you  mentioned  in  one  of  your  late  letters  that  you  had  not  yet  re- 
ceived your  nailrod.  two  tons  left  Philadelphia  January  the  8"'.  . , . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 


i8o83 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


367 


(Anne  Cary  Randolph  to  JefiFerson.) 


Edgehill  March  18  1808 

...  I am  very  anxious  to  go  to  Monticello  to  see  how  the  flowers 
come  on  but  Papa  has  not  a horse  that  can  be  riden  by  a lady  with  safety. 
I hear  however  from  them  once  or  twice  a week  by  Burwell  for  I never 
fail  to  enquire  after  their  health.  The  last  news  was  that  they  were  all 
coming  up  very  well  particularly  the  tulips  of  which  he  counted  at  least 
forty  flourishing  ones,  you  will  be  at  home  time  enough  to  see  them  all 
bloom,  the  Strawberries  I am  sorry  to  say  I cannot  give  so  good  an  ac- 
count of.  I put  them  when  they  came  in  a sheltered  place  but  the  cold 
weather  killed  them.  2 have  put  out  fresh  leaves  this  spring  & I hope 
some  more  of  them  will,  the  earth  in  which  they  were  put  was  very 
bad  & 1 have  been  afraid  to  transplant  them,  it  is  very  poor  clay  & gets 
baked  as  hard  as  a brick  by  the  sun.  the  winter  has  been  so  wet  that 
they  have  not  required  watering,  but  I have  done  it  occasionally  this 
spring  with  water  that  had  been  standing  in  the  sun,  & used  a watering 
pot  with  such  small  holes,  that  it  was  exactly  like  a shower,  the  em- 
bargo has  set  every  body  to  making  home  spun.  Mama  has  made  157 
yards  since  October,  you  will  see  all  the  children  clothed  in  it.  there 
has  been  the  greatest  number  of  wild  pigeons  this  spring  that  I ever  saw. 
M'.  Craven  they  say,  by  means  of  his  net  has  caught  nearly  three  thou- 
sand. he  kills  some  days  700  & seldom  less  than  three  or  four  hundred, 
he  salts  & barrels  them  like  flsh  for  his  people.  ...  I enclose  you  some 
white  violets  but  fear  they  will  lose  their  smell  before  they  reach  you. 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  P,  A.  Guestier.) 

Washington  Mar.  20.  08. 

Your  letter  of  the  14*’’  is  received,  and  I have  to  return  you  my 
thanks  for  the  trouble  you  have  been  so  good  as  to  take  in  procuring  the 
seeds  requested  by  mf  Reibelt.  I remember  that  he  was  so  kind  as  to 
undertake  through  his  friends  to  procure  for  me  some  maize  of  Italy,  of 
the  kind  called  Quarentine,  valuable  for  it’s  early  coming  to  table,  & I 
presume  what  you  have  received  is  of  that  kind,  the  rare  a’l’huile  I am 
unacquainted  with,  but  presume  it  is  what  we  call  rape.  (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Mar.  22.  08. 

The  plants  of  Privet  which  you  have  received  are  from  mr  Gordon 
and  I intend  them  for  a hedge  in  the  garden  which  not  being  yet  ready, 
they  must  be  set  out  in  a nursery  where  you  can  find  a convenient  open 
spot.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


"Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


368 


[1808 


(Jefferson  to  Anne  Cary  Randolph.) 

Washington  Mar.  22.  08. 

...  I am  sorry  our  strawberries  are  unpromising;  however  I trust 
they  will  put  out  soon,  if  some  sand  and  stable  manure  were  put  on 
the  earth,  the  waterings  would  carry  both  down  into  the  clay  & loosen 
& enrich  it.  but  we  had  better  not  transplant  them  till  we  get  them  to 
Monticello,  where  we  will  take  out  the  whole  sod  unbroken,  and  set  it 
in  the  ground  without  having  disturbed  the  roots.  I ate  strawberries 
from  these  plants  last  October  after  my  return  to  this  place.  I Inclose 
you  some  seed  of  the  Beny,  or  Oriental  Sesamum.  this  is  among  the 
most  valuable  acquisitions  our  country  has  ever  made,  it  yields  an  oil 
equal  to  the  finest  olive  oil.  I received  a bottle  of  it,  and  tried  it  with 
a great  deal  of  company  for  many  days,  having  a dish  of  sallad  dressed 
with  that  & another  with  olive  oil,  and  nobody  could  distinguish  them, 
an  acre  yields  10.  bushels  of  seed,  each  bushel  giving  three  gallons  of  oil. 
an  acre  therefore,  besides  our  sallad  oil,  would  furnish  all  kitchen  & 
family  uses,  most  of  them  better  than  with  lard  or  butter,  you  had 
better  direct  Wormly  to  plant  these  seeds  in  some  open  place  in  the 
nursery,  by  dropping  two  or  three  seeds  every  lo.  or  1 2.  I.  along  a row, 
and  his  rows  2.  feet  apart,  the  plant  grows  somewhat  like  hemp,  it 
was  brought  to  S.  Carolina  from  Africa  by  the  negroes,  who  alone  have 
hitherto  cultivated  it  in  the  Carolinas  & Georgia,  they  bake  it  in  their 
bread,  boil  it  with  greens,  enrich  their  broth  &c.  it  is  not  doubted  it 
will  grow  well  as  far  North  as  Jersey,  tho’  M'.Mahon  places  it  among 
green  house  plants.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Mrs.  Samuel  Harrison  Smith  to  Jefferson.) 

March.  26,  1808. 

Mrs.  H.  Smith  . . . sends  to  Mr.  Jefferson  some  plants  of  the  Ant- 
werp raspberries  which  she  has  just  received  from  Baltimore,  with  a 
number  of  other  shrubs. 

The  black-rose.  {Jefferson  Papers.  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Strode.) 

Washington  Apr.  13.  1808. 

[Jefferson  had  lost  his  mill-dam  by  a freshet  in  the  Rivanna  River. 
After  asking  Mr.  Strode’s  advice  as  to  the  best  way  to  repair  it,  he  gave 
the  following  description  of  the  dam.] 

...  Dam — It  is  400.  f.  long,  15  ft.  broad,  4 f.  high  on  the  upper 
side  & 5 f.  on  the  lower,  resting  from  one  end  to  the  other  on  a ridge  of 
solid  rock,  and  made  tight  by  a io[f]  f.  dam  of  earth  on  the  upper  side, 
the  construction  is  of  timber  pens  filled  with  loose  irregular  stones  in 
pretty  large  blocks.  . , . {Jeff erf iin  Papers,  L,  C.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


369 


1808] 

(Ellen  W.  Ranflolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Edgehill  April  14,  1808. 

...  I wont  say  anything  of  the  flower  beds  that  is  sister  Anns  part, 
the  level  is  spoilt  nearly.  Mr.  Bacon  has  made  a mistake  (I  presume) 
and  covered  it  with  charcoal,  instead  of  manure,  it  looks  rather  dismal 
wherever  the  grass  has  not  grown  it  is  quite  black,  and  is  especially  dirty 
to  walk  on,  it  is  not  near  as  bad  as  it  was  but  it  is  still  disagreeable  and 
ugly.  They  are  finishing  your  terras  now.  The  sheep  eat  up  4 orange 
trees  and  bit  half  of  the  finest  of  besides,  when  we  put  them  out,  how- 
ever I have  3 tolerably  good  [ones]  though  they  are  only  2 inches  high. 
They  are  all  mean  little  things  except  that  which  the  sheep  bit,  but  they 
are  very  young.  Th,e  third  of  April  snow  drops  bloomed,  you  have  none 
but  I will  give  you  mine  if  you  want  them,  and  have  them  set  out  in  your 
garden  when  we  go  to  Monticcllo.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Anne  Cary  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Edgehill  April  15  1808 

...  I have  been  twice  to  Monticello  to  see  the  sesamum  & Governor 
Lewis’s  pea  planted,  the  hyacinths  were  in  bloom,  they  are  superb 
ones,  the  Tulips  are  all  buding.  neither  the  hyacinths  nor  Tulips 
grow  as  regularly  this  spring  as  they  did  the  last.  Wormley  in  taking 
them  up  left  some  small  roots  in  the  ground  which  have  come  up  about 
in  the  bed  & not  in  the  rows  with  the  others,  the  Strawberries  Arti- 
chokes Salsafie  Asparagus  & Golden  willow  all  look  very  well,  of 
the  Alpine  Strawberries  that  Davy  brought  3 are  flourishing,  but  I am 
afraid  the  others  are  entirely  dead.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(John  Strode  to  Jefferson.) 

April  18,  1808. 

[Mr.  Strode  tells  Jefferson  how  to  construct  his  dam.]  (Jefferson 
Papeis,  L.  C.) 

(Ellen  W.  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Edgehill  April  21,  1808. 

. . . We  have  had  blue  & white  lilac,  blue  and  white  flags  and  jon- 
quils. I found  in  the  woods  a great  many  mountain  cowslips  and  wild 
Ranunculus  besides  other  wild  flowers.  I have  got  the  seed  of  the  Jeru- 
salem Cherry  which  I am  told  is  very  beautiful.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Marquis  de  Lafayette.) 

, Washington,  April  28,  1808. 

. . . Till  the  last  autumn,  I have  every  autumn  written  to  Madame 
de  Tcssc  and  sent  her  a box  of  seeds.  I saw  with  infinite  mortification 


370 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1808 


that  they  were  either  carried  into  England  or  arrived  so  late  as  to  an- 
swer no  purpose  to  her.  The  state  of  the  ocean  the  last  fall  was,  and 
continues  to  be,  so  desperate  that  it  is  vain  to  attempt  anything  again  till 
that  be  changed.  By  that  time  I shall  be  maker  of  my  own  time  and 
can  never  employ  it  more  in  gratifying  my  own  feelings  than  in  doing 
what  will  be  acceptable  to  her.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson 
19:  169-170.) 

(Jefferson  to  A.  Thoiiin.) 

Washington,  Apr.  29.  08. 

Your  letter  of  the  iith  of  May  last  by  mr.  Godon  came  safely  to 
hand  together  with  your  essay  on  the  methodical  division  of  rural  econ- 
omy, for  which  I return  you  my  thanks,  the  great  views  there  pre- 
sented of  this  interesting  field  of  science  are  well  worthy  of  one  whose 
time  and  great  talents  for  that  science  have  been  so  much  devoted  to  it’s 
improvement,  you  mention  the  having  written  to  me  a year  and  a half 
before  on  the  subject  of  my  description  of  a mould-board,  by  duplicate 
and  triplicate,  no  one  of  which  I assure  you,  ever  came  to  my  hands,  nor 
a single  line  from  you  till  that  by  mr.  Godon.  my  esteem  for  your 
virtues  and  talents,  and  the  recollection  of  attentions  received  from  you 
at  the  Jardin  royale  while  I was  in  Paris,  were  pledges  that  I should 
have  been  incapable  of  omitting  to  acknolege  the  reciept  of  your  letter. 

With  respect  to  my  method  of  forming  the  mould-board  so  as  to  give 
the  least  resistance,  the  society  of  agriculture  and  yourself  have  given  to 
it  mote  importance  that  it  had  occupied  in  my  own  eye.  your  trans- 
lation and  communication  of  it  cannot  but  have  been  flattering  to  me. 
since  the  first  form  used,  1 have  made  a small  alteration  in  the  form  of 
the  toe  of  the  Mould-board,  which,  while  it  preserves  the  principle  un- 
touched enables  us  to  shorten  the  plough-share  six  or  eight  inches,  which 
is  preferred  by  the  Agriculturists  here  to  the  first  form.  I inclose  you  a 
description  of  this  alteration ; and,  as  the  opportunity  is  favorable,  I send 
you  also  a small  box  containing  a model,  which  will  be  carried  by  the 
bearer  of  this  letter  to  Paris,  proposing  at  the  close  of  my  present  term 
(March,  1809}  to  retire  altogether  from  public  affairs,  and  to  indulge 
myself  in  those  pursuits  more  delightful  to  me,  I may  then  perhaps  be- 
come of  some  use  to  the  Agricultural  society  who  have  conferred  on  me 
the  honor  of  membership,  pretending  however,  not  to  be  an  adept,  but 
only  a zealous  Amateur  in  the  objects  of  the  society.  . . . (Ford,  Jef- 
ferson Correspondence:  162-163.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  Gustavus  Horner.) 

Monticello  May  15.  1808. 

1 found  here  a small  remnant  of  the  Benni  seed  I had  sent  on  to  be 
sown,  which  enables  me  to  fulfil  my  promise  to  you.  open  light  furrows 
with  a plough,  si  or  4 f.  apart,  drop  a very  few  seed  every  12.  inches 
along  the  furrow,  when  up,  thin  them  to  a single  plant  at  each  12. 
inches,  and  when  advanced  in  growth  draw  a litffe  earth  to  the  roots. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


371 


1808] 

they  need  little  culture,  when  the  leaves  fall  from  the  stalk  in  autumn, 
cut  off  the  top  part  bearing  the  pods,  and  tie  them  in  small  bundles, 
then  leave  them,  with  pods  up,  against  a fence,  or  polls  rested  in  forks 
driven  in  the  ground,  when  about  half  the  pods  are  open,  hold  the 
bundle  down  over  a sheet  or  close  floor,  and  with  a small  stick,  whip  out 
the  seed,  return  the  bundle  to  it’s  former  position,  & the  remaining 
pods  will  open  in  8.  or  10.  days,  when  the  remaining  seed  is  to  be 
whipped  out. 

The  seed  is  eaten  parched,  for  a desert,  ,or  used  in  substance  in  soups, 
puddings  etc.  but  it’s  principal  use  is  as  an  esculent  oil.  one  bushel  of 
seed  yielding  about  3.  gallons  of  oil. 

The  leaf  is  a specific  in  dysenteries  & other  visceral  complaints,  two 
or  three,  without  being  bruised,  being  put  into  a pint  of  cold  water,  in  a 
few  minutes  produce  a mucilage  equal  to  that  of  the  white  of  an  egg. 
5.  or  6.  pints  are  taken  in  the  course  of  the  day.  the  leaves  dried  under 
cover  retain  the  property  of  producing  mucilage. 

The  seed  is  usually  planted  as  soon  as  the  danger  of  frost  is  over,  and 
covered  with  about  an  inch  of  earth,  it  is  the  Sesamum  trifoliatum  of 
Miller’s  Gardener’s  dictionary,  where  a good  account  of  it  may  be  seen. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Yale.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

June  7,  1808. 

Consider  as  your  first  object  the  keeping  a full  supply  of  water  to  the 
mill,  observing  that  whenever  the  water  does  not  run  over  the  waste,  you 
should  take  your  hands,  and  having  put  in  a sufficiency  of  stone,  then 
carry  in  earth  and  heighten  till  the  water  runs  steadily  over  the  waste. 
It  ought  to  do  this  when  both  mills  are  running  one  pair  of  stones  each. 
Take  Mr.  Randolph’s  advise  on  these  occasions. 

You  will  furnish  Mr.  Maddox,  while  working  on  the  stable,  with  at- 
tendance, hauling,  lime,  and  sand,  so  that  I may  only  have  to  pay  him  for 
laying  the  stone.  I presume  Mr.  Dinsmore  will  let  him  be  of  his  mess 
while  here.  If  objected  to,  however,  do  for  him  what  vou  can  best.  . . . 

Consider  the  garden  as  your  main  business,  and  push  it  with  all  your 
might  when  the  interruptions  permit. 

Rake  and  sweep  the  charcoal  on  the  level  into  little  heaps,  and  carry 
them  off.  Rather  do  this  when  tfie  grass  seed  is  ripe.  (Pierson,  Moa/i- 
cello:  65-67.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

June  7,  1808. 

. . . The  orchard  below  the  garden  must  be  entirely  cultivated  the 
next  year ; to  wit  a part  in  the  Ravenscroft  pea,  which  you  will  find  in  a 
cannister  in  my  closet,  a part  with  Irish  potatoes,  & the  rest  with  cow- 
pea,  of  which  there  is  a patch  at  mf  Freeman’s,  to  save  which  great  at- 
tention must  be  paid,  as  they  are  the  last  in  the  neighborhood.  {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  Yale.) 


37a 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1808 


(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Washington  June  23,  08. 

The  Agricultural  society  of  Paris  has  had  a plough  presented  to  them 
which,  performing  equally  good  work  requires  but  one  half  the  force  to 
draw  it  necessary  for  what  had  till  then  been  deemed  the  best  plough  in 
France,  in  their  zeal  for  improvement  they  sent  one  of  them  to  Eng- 
land, and  have  sent  me  one,  lately  arrived  at  New  York,  & ordered 
round  to  Richmond  where  it  will  be  open  for  inspection,  the  experi- 
ment being  made  with  an  instrument  for  the  purpose  (something  I be- 
lieve like  a spring  steel  yard  connecting  the  swingle  tree  to  it’s  cross 
bar)  It’s  accuracy  may  be  relied  on.  they  are  collecting  all  the  imple- 
ments of  agriculture  of  every  country,  good  or  bad,  whid^  of  course  will 
give  them  all  the  good,  desiring  to  be  useful  to  them  in  turn,  I took  the 
liberty,  some  time  ago  of  asking  the  favor  of  you  to  procure  for  me  one 
of  Martin’s  drills.  I have  since  heard  he  has  retired  from  business 
which  perhaps  has  produced  a difficulty  in  getting  one.  should  this  have 
been  got  over,  I shall  be  very  much  gratified  by  having  one  in  time  to 
send  by  a vessel  which  Is  to  go  in  3.  or  4.  weeks  from  this  place  to  Havre 
& will  afford  the  best  possible  opportunity  of  sending  it.  if  it  could  be 
lodged  at  Fredericksburg  & notified  to  roe,  I would  have  it  either  brought 
here  or  deposited  some  where  on  the  Potomak  where  the  vessel  could  take 
it  in.  all  expenses  shall  be  reimbursd  as  soon  as  known.  I have  gone 
into  a detail  of  the  motives  for  proposing  this  trouble  to  you,  to  shew 
that  they  are  public  in  their  object 
We  have  lately  received  from  S.  Carolina  & Georgia  the  seeds  of  a 
plant  brought  from  Africa  many  years  ago  by  their  negroes  & by  them 
called  Benney.  it  is  easy  of  culture,  yields  about  as  much  seed  to  the  acre 
as  flax,  and  three  gallons  to  the  bushel  of  as  fine  salad  oil  as  that  of  the 
olive,  this  I can  affirm  from  an  abundant  sufficiency  of  trial,  you  will 
find  a good  account  of  it  in  Millar’s  Gardener’s  Dictionary  under  the 
head  of  Scsamum  trifoliatum.  many  persons,  from  the  account  of  this 
plant  given  by  the  members  of  the  S.  C.  & G.  at  the  last  Congress,  and 
the  sample  of  the  oil,  have  sown  it  this  year,  it  bids  fair  to  supply  the 
place  of  olive  oil,  butter,  lard  & tallow  in  most  cases,  should  you  pro- 
pose to  try  it,  I could  send  you  some  seed  from  Monticello ; tho’  as  it  is 
now  too  late  to  sow  it,  & we  shall  have  fresh  seed  this  autumn,  perhaps 
you  would  approve  rather  of  waiting  till  then.  {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  June  28“,  1808 

I do  myself  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  by  this  mail  a few  gooseber- 
ries, as  a sample  of  what  we  may  have  here,  by  first  obtaining  good  kinds, 
and  then  judicious  management.  I fear  that  from  the  extreme  heat  of 
the  present  weather,  they  will  undergo  a fermentation  and  turn  sour  be- 
fore they  reach  you ; at  all  events,  they  will  perspire  and  become  much 
less  in  size  than  when  pulled. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


373 


1808] 

I am  happy  to  inform  you  that  I have  fine  plants  of  all  the  varieties 
of  Currants  (7)  and  Gooseberries  (2)  brought  by  Gov''.  Lewis,  and  of 
about  20  other  new  species  of  plants,  as  well  as  five  or  six  new  genera; 
this  will  add  to  natural  history  and  the  plants  are  forthcoming.  I will 
not  forget  you  in  due  time. 

I would  be  very  happy  to  know  when  Gov"".  Lewis  may  be  expected 
here.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington,  June  28th,  08. 

...  I charged  Bacon  very  strictly  to  keep  the  water  of  the  canal  al- 
ways running  over  the  waste,  as  Shoemaker  has  made  the  want  of  water 
the  ground  of  insisting  on  a suspension  of  rent,  and  will  probably  con- 
tinue to  do  it.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  11:  37.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Washington  July  6.  08. 

I received  duly  your  favor  of  June  28.  with  the  gooseberries  in  good 
condition,  they  were  certainly  such  as  I had  never  seen  before  in  any 
country,  and  will  excite  strenuous  efforts  in  me  to  endeavor  to  raise  such, 
for  this  purpose  early  in  the  next  year  I shall  ask  of  you  some  cuttings  of 
your  bushes,  and  before  that  shall  send  a pretty  copious  list  for  a supply 
of  the  best  kinds  of  garden  seeds,  and  flowers.  I shall  be  at  home  early , 
in  March  for  my  permanent  residence,  and  shall  very  much  devote  my 
[time]  to  my  garden.  I reserved  very  few  of  Gov'.  Lewis’s  articles, 
and  have  growing  only  his  salsafia,  Mandane  corn,  and  a pea  remarkeable 
for  it’s  beautiful  blossom  & leaf,  his  forward  bean  is  growing  in  my 
neighborhood.  I have  the  tulips  you -sent  me  in  great  perfection,  also 
the  hyacinths,  tuberoses,  amaryllis,  and  the  artichokes.  I pray  you  to 
accept  my  thanks  for  the  gooseberries  and  my  respectful  salutations. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Monsieur  de  la  Cepede.) 

Washington,  July  14,  1808. 

. . . [Governor  Lewis’s  Journal]  . . . the  journal  and  geographical 
part  of  which  may  soon  be  expected  from  the  press ; but  the  parts  relat- 
ing to  the  plants  and  animals  observed  in  his  tour,  will  be  delayed  by  the 
engravings.  In  the  meantime,  the  plants  of  which  he  brought  seeds, 
have  been  very  successfully  raised  in  die  botanical  garden  of  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton of  the  Woodlands,  and  by  Mr.  McMahon,  a gardener  of  Philadel- 
phia ; and  on  the  whole,  it  is  with  pleasure  I can  assure  you  that  the  ad- 
dition to  our  knowledge  in  every  department,  resulting  from  this  tour  of 
Messrs.  Lewis  and  Clarke,  has  entirely  fulfilled  my  expectations  in  set- 
ting it  on  foot,  and  that  the  world  will  find  that  those  travellers  have 
well  earned  its  favor.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  la;  85,) 


374 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1808 


(Jefferson  to  A.  F.  Sylvestre.) 

Washington,  July  15,  1808. 

I had  received  from  you  on  a former  occasion  the  four  first  volumes 
of  the  Memoirs  of  the  Agricultural  Society  of  the  Seine,  and  since  that, 
your  letter  of  September  19th,  with  the  6th,  7th,  8th,  and  9th  volumes, 
being  for  the  years  1804,  ’5,  *6,  with  some  separate  memoirs.  These  I 
have  read  with  great  avidity  and  satisfaction,  and  now  return  you  my 
thanks  for  them.  But  I owe  particular  acknowledgments  for  the  valu- 
able present  of  the  Theatre  de  Serres,  which  I consider  as  a prodigy  for 
the  age  in  which  it  was  composed,  and  shows  an  advancement  in  the 
science  of  agriculture  which  I had  never  suspected  to  have  belonged  to 
that  time.  Brought  down  to  the  present  day  by  the  very  valuable  notes 
added,  it  is  really  such  a treasure  of  agricultural  knowledge,  as  has  not 
before  been  offered  to  the  world  in  a single  work. 

It  is  not  merely  for  myself,  but  for  my  country,  that  I must  do  homage 
to  the  philanthropy  of  the  Society,  which  has  dictated  their  destination 
for  me  of  their  newly  improved  plough.  I shall  certainly  so  use  it  as  to 
answer  their  liberal  views,  by  making  the  opportunities  of  profiting  by  it 
as  general  as  possible. 

I have  just  received  information  that  a plough  addressed  to  me  has 
arrived  in  New  York,  from  England,  but  unaccompanied  by  any  letter 
or  other  explanation.  As  I have  had  no  intimation  of  such  an  article  to 
be  forwarded  to  me  from  that  country,  1 presume  it  is  the  one  sent  by 
. the  Society  of  the  Seine,  that  it  has  been  carried  into  England  under  their 
orders  of  council,  and  permitted  to  come  on  from  thence.  This  I shall 
know  within  a short  time.  I shall  with  great  pleasure  attend  to  the 
construction  and  transmission  to  the  Society  of  a plough  with  my  mould- 
board. This  is  the  only  part  of  that  useful  instrument  to  which  I have 
paid  any  particular  attention.  But  knowing  how  much  the  perfection 
of  the  plough  must  depend,  ist,  on  the  line  of  traction ; 2d,  on  the  direc- 
tion of  the  share;  3d,  on  the  angle  of  the  wing;  4th,  on  the  form  of  the 
mould-board;  and  persuaded  that  I shall  find  the  three  first  advantages 
eminently  exemplified  in  that  which  the  Society  sends  me,  I am  anxious 
to  see  combined  with  these  a mould-board  of  my  form,  in  the  hope  that 
it  will  still  advance  the  perfection  of  that  machine.  But  for  this  I must 
ask  time  till  1 am  relieved  from  the  cares  which  have  now  a right  to  all 
my  time,  that  is  to  say,  till  the  next  spring.  Then  giving,  in  the  leisure 
of  retirement,  all  the  time  and  attention  this  construction  merits  and  re- 
quires, I will  certainly  render  to  the  Society  the  result  in  a plough  of  the 
best  form  I shall  be  able  to  have  executed.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh, 
Jefferson  la;  88-90.) 

(Jefferson  to  C.  P.  de  Lasteyrie.) 

Washington,  July  15,  1808. 

I have  duly  received  your  favor  of  March  a8th,  and  with  it  your 
treatises  on  the  culture  of  the  sugar  cane  and  cotton  plant  in  France. 


Jbpferson’s  Garden  Book 


375 


1808] 

The  introduction  of  new  cultures,  and  especially  of  objects  of  leading 
importance  to  our  comfort,  is  certainly  worthy  the  attention  of  every 
government,  and  nothing  short  of  the  actual  experiment  should  discour- 
age  an  essay  of  which  any  hope  can  be  entertained.  Till  that  is  made, 
the  result  is  open  to  conjecture;  and  I should  certainly  conjecture  that 
the  sugar  cane  could  never  become  an  article  of  profitable  culture  in 
France.  We  have  within  the  ancient  limits  of  the  United  States,  a 
great  extent  of  country  which  brinp  the  orange  to  advantage,  but  not  a 
foot  in  which  the  sugar  cane  can  be  matured.  France,  within  its  former 
limits,  has  but  two  small  spots,  (Olivreles  and  Hieres)  which  brings  the 
orange  in  open  air,  and  a fortiori,  therefore,  none  proper  for  the  cane. 
I should  think  the  maple-sugar  more  worthy  of  experiment.  There  is 
no  part  of  France  of  which  the  climate  would  not  admit  this  tree.  I 
have  never  seen  a reason  why  every  farmer  should  not  have  a sugar 
orchard,  as  well  as  an  apple  orchard.  The  supply  of  sugar  for  his  family 
would  require  as  little  ground,  and  the  process  of  making  it  as  easy  as 
that  of  dder.  Mr.  Micheaux,  your  botanist  here,  could  send  you  plants 
as  well  as  seeds,  in  any  quantity  from  the  United  States.  I have  no 
doubt  the  cotton  plant  will  succeed  in  some  of  the  southern  parts  of 
France.  Whether  its  culture  will  be  as  advantageous  as  those  they  are 
now  engaged  in,  remains  to  be  tried.  We  could,  in  the  United  States, 
make  as  great  a variety  of  wines  as  are  made  in  Europe,  not  exactly  of 
the  same  kinds,  but  doubtless  as  good.  Yet  I have  ever  observed  to  my 
countrymen,  who  think  its  introduction  important,  that  a laborer  culti- 
vating wheat,  rice,  tobacco,  or  cotton  here,  will  be  able  with  the  proceeds, 
to  purchase  double  the  quantity  of  the  wine  he  could  make.  Possibly 
the  same  quantity  of  land  and  labor  in  France  employed  on  the  rich 
produce  of  your  Southern  counties,  would  purchase  double  the  quantity 
of  the  cotton  they  would  yield  there.  This  however  may  prove  other- 
wise on  trial,  and  therefore  it  is  worthy  the  trial.  In  general,  it  is  a 
truth  that  if  every  nation  will  employ  itself  in  what  it  is  fittest  to  pro- 
duce, a greater  quantity  will  be  raised  of  the  things  contributing  to  hu- 
man happiness,  than  if  every  nation  attempts  to  raise  everything  it  wants 
within  itself.  The  limits  within  which  die  cotton  plant  is  worth  culti- 
vating in  the  United  States,  are  the  Rappahannock  river  to  the  north, 
and  the  first  mountains  to  the  west.  And  even  from  the  Rappahannock 
to  the  Roanoke,  we  only  cultivate  for  family  use,  as  it  cannot  there  be 
afforded  at  market  in  competition  with  that  of  the  more  Southern  re- 
gion. The  Mississippi  country,  also  within  the  same  latitudes,  admits 
the  culture  of  cotton. 

The  superficial  view  I have  yet  had  time  to  take  of  your  treatise  on 
the  cotton  plant,  induces  a belief  that  it  is  rich  and  correct  in  its  matter, 
and  contains  a great  fund  of  learning  on  that  plant.  When  retired  to 
rural  occupations,  as  I shall  be  ere  long,  I shall  profit  of  its  contents 
practically,  in  the  culture  of  that  plant  merely  for  the  household  manu- 
facture. In  that  situation,  too,  I shall  devote  myself  to  occupations 
much  more  congenial  with  my  inclinations  than  those  to  which  I have 
been  called  by  the  character  of  the  times  into  which  my  lot  was  cast. 


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[i8o8 


About  to  be  relieved  from  this  corvee  by  age  and  the  fulfilment  of  the 
quadragena  stipendia,  what  remains  to  me  of  my  physical  activity  will 
chiefly  be  employed  in  the  amusements  of  agriculture.  Having  little 
practical  skill,  I count  more  on  the  pleasures  than  the  profits  of  that  oc- 
cupation. They  will  give  me,  too,  the  leisure  which  my  present  situa- 
tion nearly  denies,  of  rendering  such  services  as  may  be  within  my  means, 
to  the  Institute,  the  Agricultural  Society  of  the  Seine,  to  yourself,  and 
such  other  worthy  individuals  as  may  find  any  convenience  in  a corre- 
spondence here.  I shall  then  be  able  particularly  to  fulfil  the  wishes  ex- 
pressed, of  my  sending  to  the  Society  of  Agriculture  a plough  with  my 
mould-board.  Perhaps  I may  be  able  to  add  some  other  implements, 
peculiar  to  us,  to  the  collection  which  I perceive  the  Society  is  making. 

. . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  la:  9i>-93.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monticello  Aug.  20.  08. 

Your  favor  of  the  8“*.  came  to  hand  only  two  days  ago,  & I hasten  to 
say  I shall  be  glad  to  receive  mr  Martin’s  drill  whenever  it  can  be  ready, 
during  the  present  interruption  of  commerce  we  send  an  Aviso  every  6. 
weeks  to  France  & England  for  the  purposes  of  public  & mercantile  cor- 
respondence, and  in  any  one  of  these  I can  send  the  drill. 

I have  received  the  plough  from  the  Agricultural  society  of  Paris,  it 
is  a wheel  plough,  as  lightly  made  as  wc  should  have  done  it ; and  seeing 
no  peculiar  advantage  in  it's  construction,  I suspect  it  owes  to  it’s  light- 
ness & shortness  it’s  superiority  over  the  ploughs  with  which  it  was  tried ; 
for  the  ploughs  of  Europe  are  barbarously  heavy,  & long,  & therefore  re- 
quire great  force.  I believe  Great  Britain  has  lately  begun  to  use  lighter 
ploughs.  I shall  now  not  be  afraid  of  sending  to  the  society  one  of  our 
best  ploughs,  according  to  their  request,  with  my  mouldboard  to  it.  I 
shall  previously  try  it's  resistance  to  the  draught,  comparatively  with 
theirs,  by  the  same  instrument  they  have  used,  which  I expect  to  receive 
this  fall.  A mf  Frazer,  a gardener  near  London,  whom  I knew  in  Paris, 
& afterwards  here,  has  lately  sent  me  a very  small  parcel  of  seed  of  a new 
turnup,  which  he  calls  Frazer’s  new  turnep.  no  letter  nor  explanation 
came,  so  that  I know  no  more  of  it  than  it’s  name.  I know  I cannot 
have  it  tried  more  fairly  than  by  yourself,  and  therefore  I inclose  you  one 
half  of  what  I received.  I shall  not  sow  my  half  till  next  year  when  I 
shall  be  at  home  to  take  care  of  it  myself.  I shall  not  fail  in  the  winter 
to  send  you  some  fresh  Sesamum  seed,  it  is  now  growing  luxuriantly  in 
our  neighborhood.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Governor  Meriwether  Lewis.) 

Monticello,  August  21,  1808. 

. . . Your  friends  here  are  all  well,  except  Colonel  Lewis,  who  has 
declined  very  rapidly  the  last  few  months.  He  scarcely  walks  about 
now,  and  never  beyond  his  yard.  Wc  can  never  lose  a better  man,  . . . 
(Lipscomh  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  la:  144.) 


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iSo8] 


(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Watkins.) 

Monticello,  Aug.  22.  ’08. 

. . . [About  hiring  him  as  a carpenter]  . . . The  emploiment  the  first 
year  will  be  as  a carpenter,  with  2 or  3 men  under  you  for  work  to  be 
done  for  myself,  the  paling  a large  inclosure  of  garden  & orchard,  build- 
ing some  granaries  & other  work  of  that  kind  would  be  the  most  wanted. 
. . . [See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Mr.  Watkins,  September  27,  1808,  about 
the  palings  for  the  garden  and  orchard.]  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Hugh  Chisholm  to  Jefferson.) 

Sept.  4,  1808. 

...  I have  done  both  of  the  stairways  & one  of  the  nursery  and  in 
the  course  of  this  week  I will  have  the  other  done,  we  have  also  run 
the  collums  for  the  South  Portico  & I think  they  will  when  finished  be 
elegant,  the  west  room  is  finished  in  the  manner  which  you  told  me.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Watkins.) 

Sep.  27.  1808. 

Directions  for  mf  Watkins  when  he  comes. 

Davy,  Abram,  & Shepherd  are  to  work  with  him. 

Phill  Hubard  & Bedford  Davy  are  to  saw  for  him  when  sawing  is 
wanting,  he  is  to  live  in  Stewart's  house. 

His  first  work  is  to  pale  in  the  garden,  with  a paling  10.  feet  high, 
the  posts  arc  to  be  of  locust,  sufficiently  stout,  barked  but  not  hewed, 
12  f.  long,  of  which  2^  f.  are  to  go  in  the  ground,  it  will  take  about 
300:  placing  them  9.  f.  apart. 

the  rails  are  to  be  of  heart  poplar  or  pine,  the  stock  is  to  be  split 


into  4.  quarters  thus 


bd 


then  each  quarter  is  to  be  split  diagonally 


thus  ^ so  as  to  make  2 three  square  rails  out  of  each  quarter,  they 


are  to  be  of  the  size  usual  in  strong  garden  paling.  I do  not  know  what 
that  is.  there  will  be  3.  to  each  pannel  & consequently  900.  in  all. 

The  pales  are  to  be  of  chestnut,  riven,  & strong,  5.  f.  3.  I long,  to  be 
dubbed  on  one  another  on  the  middle  rail  like  clapboards,  so  that  I.  nail 


shall  do,  & two  lengths  of  pales  will  make  the  whole  height.  I suppose 
they  will  be  generally  from  5,  to  7. 1,  wide,  & should  be  so  near  as  not 
to  let  even  a young  hare  in.  there  will  be  about  7500.  wanting,  they 


are  to  be  sharpened  at  the  upper  end  thus  and  not  thus  as  is  usual. 

they  are  not  to  be  put  up  till  1 come  home  to  shew  the  courses  of  the 
inclosure,  the  pine  for  the  rails  may  be  got  either  at  Pouncy’s  or  on  my 
lands  beyond  Colle.  the  chestnut  pales  had  better  be  got  in  the  high 
mountain.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


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378 


C1808 


(William  Brown  to  Jefferson.) 

New  Orleans  lo'"*,  October  1808 

I have  shipped  a few  Cumpeachy  hammocks  and  a barrel  of  paccannes 
in  a vessel  for  George  Town  to  the  care  of  the  Collector  of  that  port 
which  I pray  your  acceptance  of.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Oct.  17.  08. 

...  I expect  mf  Madox  is  now  about  the  stable,  & the  house  laid  off 
where  an  old  loghouse  stands,  & of  course  that  he  draws  off  some  of 
your  force.  I think  it  will  be  better  to  employ  the  rest  on  the  garden 
& let  us  have  that  off  of  our  hands,  as  the  beginingf  of  Nov.  is  the  best 
season  for  driving  our  sheep  home,  I would  have  you  leave  home  for  this 
place  about  the  30*^  or  31“.  of  this  month.  ...  You  will  remember 
that  our  plan  was  to  plant  peas  the  next  year  in  the  field  next  your  house, 
corn  in  the  field  elbowing  round  by  Fhill’s  house,  and  oats  in  those  parts 
of  our  river  field  & that  we  had  of  Craven,  as  have  not  clover  worth 
preserving,  wherever  the  clover  is  well  enough  set,  it  will  be  worth 
more  to  us  than  oats.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 


(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Washington  Oct.  J8.  08. 

. . . tell  Anne  that  my  old  friend  Thouin  of  the  National  garden  at 
Paris  has  sent  me  700  species  of  seeds.  I suppose  they  will  contain  all 
the  fine  flowers  of  France,  and  fill  all  the  space  we  have  for  them,  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mr.  John  Moody.) 

Washington  Oct.  36.  08. 

I received  two  days  ago  your  letter  of  the  ao'”.  and  readily  consent  to 
pay  mf  Evans  the  usual  compensation  for  his  inventions  employed  in  my 
mill,  whenever  you  or  he  will  be  so  good  as  to  ascertain  the  amount, 
what  these  are  I know  not,  having  left  to  the  millwright  to  do  whatever 
he  thought  would  be  useful,  she  began  to  run  in  the  autumn  or  winter 
of  1806,  I make  this  paiment  willingly  as  a voluntary  tribute  to  a per- 
son whose  talents  are  constantly  employed  in  endeavors  to  be  useful  to 
mankind,  and  not  as  a legal  obligation,  my  mill  was  erected  after  the 
expiration  of  mf  Evans’s  first  patent  & before  the  date  of  his  second ; and 
were  there  any  doubt  as  to  Ae  proviso  in  the  act  covering  those  who 
adopted  those  machines  when  no  law  forbid  it,  the  text  of  ihe  constitu- 
tion which  declares  that  Congress  shall  have  no  power  to  pass  an  expost 
facto  law,  would  annul  any  enactment  of  retrospective  effect  were  there 
any  such  in  the  law  in  question,  meaning  however  to  claim  nothing 
more  than  the  justice  of  being  considered  as  doing  voluntarily  what  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1808] 


379 


law  has  not  required,  I shall  receive  with  pleasure  a specification  of  the 
amount.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers j M.  H.  S.) 

(William  Bartram  to  Jefferson.) 

Kingsess  near  Philadelphia 
Oct.  29,  1808. 

. . . Dr.  Say  will  hand  your  excellency  a small  packet  containing  a 
few  seeds  of  a beautiful  flowering  tree  together  with  a Catalogue  of  our 
collection.  The  tree  is  the  Mimosa  julibrescens  (silk  tree)  a native  of 
Persia  and  Armenia;  lately  brought  to  us  by  the  celebrated  Michaux 
the  elder.  Its  delicate  sweet  flowers  grow  in  fascicles,  composed  of  a 
number  of  slender  silky  threads,  tipped  with  crimson  anthers.  The 
packet  is  tyed  with  a silky  bark  of  a species  of  Asclepias,  native  to 
Pensylvania,  which  should  it  prove  a useful  substitute  for  flax  or  cotton, 
in  linnen  manufacture,  it  can  be  cultivated  in  any  quantities  and  with 
less  expense,  as  it  is  a perennial  plant,  and  thrives  in  almost  any  soil. 

I send  you  these  articles.  Sir,  as  a mark  of  my  homage  & respect,  not 
knowing  whether  they  are  new  to  you  or  of  any  value.  . . , (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Ellen  W.  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

November  11,  1808. 

. . . Your  orange  trees  come  on  very  well  as  to  their  looks  but  I 
never  saw  such  little  short  things  in  my  life  they  are  near  eighteen  months 
old  and  they  are  not  as  high  (any  of  them)  as  my  hand  is  long.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Ellen  W.  Randolph.) 

Washington  Nov.  15.  08. 

...  It  is  the  Anthoxanthum  odoratum  of  the  botanist.  ...  I have 
700  species  of  seeds  sent  me  by  Mr.  Thouin  from  the  National  Garden 
of  France.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mr.  James  Lewis.) 

Washington  Nov.  22.  08. 

I have  received  your  letter  of  the  15“*  and  by  this  post  desire  mf 
Bacon  to  let  you  take  roots  from  the  rose  bush  you  mention  as  also  to 
have  you  furnished  with  one  pair  of  the  East  India  fowls,  our  stock 
will  not  afford  more  and  we  have  constant  applications  from  other 
quarters.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Nov.  22.  08. 

. . . James  Lewis,  [give  him]  also  some  roots  of  a rose  bush  which 
he  says  is  in  the  yard  on  the  East  side  of  the  house.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  M,  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


380 


[1808 


(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington,  Nov.  22,  08. 

. . . For  a scientific  man  in  a town  nothing  can  furnish  so  convenient 
an  amusement  as  chemistry,  because  it  may  be  pursued  in  his  cabinet; 
but  for  a country  gentleman  I know  no  source  of  amusement  & health 
equal  to  botany  & natural  history,  & I should  think  it  unfortunate  for 
such  an  one  to  attach  himself  to  chemistry,  altho’  the  general  principles 
of  the  science  it  is  certainly  well  to  understand.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  C.  1 : 125.) 


(Jefferson  to  William  Bartram.) 


Washington  Nov.  23.  08. 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  compliments  to  his  friend  mr  W.  Bartram 
and  his  thanks  for  the  seeds  of  the  silk  tree  which  he  was  so  kind  as  to 
send  him.  these  he  shall  plant  in  March  and  cherish  with  care  at  Monti- 
cello.  the  cares  of  the  garden  and  culture  of  curious  plants  uniting 
either  beauty  or  utility  will  there  form  one  of  his  principal  amusements, 
he  has  been  prevented,  by  indisposition  of  some  days,  from  having  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  Dr.  Say.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Anne  Cary  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Port  Royal  November  26  1808 

. . . On  coming  from  Edgehill  I left  all  the  flowers  in  Ellens  care, 
however,  I shall  be  with  you  early  enough  in  march  to  assist  about  the 
border,  which  the  old  French  Gentleman’s  present  if  you  mean  to  plant 
them  there,  with  the  wild  & bulbous  rooted  ones  we  have  already,  will 
compleatly  fill.  ...  1 inclose  you  some  Acacia  flowers  which  M''  Lomax 
sent  me  from  the  tree  that  you  gave  him  I think  he  says  in  76.  {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Doctor  Benjamin  Waterhouse.) 

Washington,  December  i,  1808. 

In  answer  to  the  inquiries  of  the  benevolent  Dr.  De  Carro  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  upland  or  mountain  rice,  Orysa  Mutica,  I will  state  to  you 
what  I know  of  it.  I first  became  informed  of  the  existence  of  a rice 
which  would  grow  in  uplands  without  any  more  water  than  the  com- 
mon rains,  by  reading  a book  of  Mr.  De  Porpre,  who  had  been  Governor 
of  the  Isle  of  France,  who  mentions  it  as  growing  there  and  all  along 
the  coast  of  Africa  successfully,  and  as  having  been  introduced  from 
Cochin-China.  I was  at  that  time  (1784-89)  in  France,  and  there 
happening  to  be  there  a Prince  of  Cochin-China,  on  his  travels,  and  then 
returning  home,  I obtained  his  promise  to  send  me  some.  I never  re- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1808] 


381 


ceived  it  however,  and  mention  it  only  as  it  may  have  been  sent,  and 
furnished  the  ground  for  the  inquiries  of  Dr,  Carro,  respecting  my  re- 
ceiving it  from  China.  When  at  Havre  on  my  return  from  France,  I 
found  there  Captain  Nathaniel  Cutting,  who  was  the  ensuing  spring  to 
go  on  a voyage  along  the  coast  of  Africa.  I engaged  him  to  inquire  for 
this;  he  was  there  just  after  the  harvest,  procured  and  sent  me  a thirty- 
gallon  cask  of  it.  It  arrived  in  time  the  ensuing  spring  to  be  sown.  I 
divided  it  between  the  Agricultural  Society  of  Charleston  and  some 
private  gentlemen  of  Georgia,  recommending  it  to  their  care,  in  the 
hope  which  had  induced  me  to  endeavor  to  obtain  it,  that  if  it  answered 
as  well  as  the  swamp  rice,  it  might  rid  them  of  that  source  of  their  sum- 
mer diseases.  Nothing  came  of  the  trials  in  South  Carolina,  but  being 
carried  into  the  upper  hilly  parts  of  Georgia,  it  succeeded  there  perfectly, 
has  spread  over  the  country,  and  is  now  commonly  cultivated ; still  how- 
ever, for  family  use  chiefly,  as  they  cannot  make  it  for  sale  in  competition 
with  the  rice  of  the  swamps.  The  former  part  of  these  details  is  writ- 
ten from  memory,  the  papers  being  at  Monticello  which  would  enable 
me  to  particularize  exactly  the  dates  of  times  and  places.  The  latter 
part  is  from  the  late  Mr.  Baldwin,  one  of  those  whom  I engaged  in  the 
distribution  of  the  seed  in  Georgia,  and  who  in  his  annual  attendance  on 
Congress,  gave  me  from  time  to  time  the  history  of  its  progress.  It  has 
got  from  Georgia  into  Kentucky,  where  it  is  cultivated  by  many  indi- 
viduals for  family  use.  I cultivated  it  two  or  three  years  at  Monticello, 
and  had  good  crops,  as  did  my  neighbors,  but  not  having  conveniences 
for  husking  it,  we  declined  it.  I tried  some  of  it  in  a pot,  while  I lived 
in  Philadelphia,  and  gave  seed  to  Mr.  Bartram.  It  produced  luxuriant 
plants  with  us  both,  but  no  seed;  nor  do  I believe  it  will  ripen  in  the 
United  States  as  far  north  as  Philadelphia.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh, 
Jefferson  12:  204-205.) 


(Jefferson  to  Anne  Cary  (Randolph)  Bankhead.) 

Washington,  Dec.  8,  08. 

Your  letter  of  Nov.  26  came  safely  to  hand,  and  in  it  the  delicious 
flower  of  the  Acacia,  or  rather  Mimosa  Nilotica,  from  Mr.  Lomax. 
The  mother  tree  of  full  growth  which  I had  when  I gave  him  the  small 
one,  perished  from  neglect  the  first  winter  I was  from  home.  Does  his 
produce  seed  ? If  it  does  I will  thank  him  for  some,  and  you  to  take 
care  of  them ; altho’  he  will  think  it  a vain  thing  at  my  time  of  life  to  be 
planting  a tree  of  as  slow  a growth.  In  fact  the  Mimosa  Nilotica  & 
Orange  are  the  only  things  I ever  proposed  to  have  in  my  green  house. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  i:  128.) 

(Ellen  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

December  15  i8o8 

. . . there  are  at  least  a peck  of  Tuberoses  and  la  or  14  Amaryllis 
roots  all  packed  in  bran.  . . , {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


38a 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


ti8o8 


(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Dec.  19.  08. 

I received  yesterday  yours  of  the  15*”.  I am  glad  to  learn  your 
progress  in  the  garden,  which  I wish  to  have  pushed,  because  it  will  be 
inclosed  in  March,  and  it  would  be  very  inconvenient  to  have  to  do  that 
work  after  it  is  paled  in.  still  we  must  not  sacrifice  the  crop  of  the  year 
for  it.  for  the  work  absolutely  necessary  to  prepare  for  the  crop,  we 
must  suspend  the  garden  works,  when  it  is  necessary,  perhaps  you  might 
draw  a little  aid  from  your  nail  house  at  pinching  times,  two  tons  of 
nailrod  left  Phila  the  12“*.  of  this  month,  & will  probably  be  at  Rich- 
mond about  Christmas.  I have  written  to  mfs  Dangerfield  to  renew 
the  hire  of  her  negroes  for  the  next  year,  except  the  runaway  one,  & I 
have  no  doubt  she  will  do  it.  When  Davy  comes  with  his  cart,  let  him 
bring  200.  young  aspens,  in  bundles  of  50.  each,  well  wrapped  round  the 
roots  with  straw,  tied  on  close.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

(Mrs.  Anne  (Randolph)  Bankhead  to  Jefferson.) 

Port  Royal  Dec.  19  1808 

...  I have  not  seen  M'  Lomax  yet  but  make  no  doubt  of  getting  the 
seed  as  I heard  that  he  had  some.  ...  I would  be  much  obliged  to  you 
if  you  will  send  me  in  a letter  some  of  the  ice  plant  seed  a Lady  here 
has  Lost  it  & is  to  give  me  a few  roots  of  the  Lily  of  the  valley  & a 
beautiful  pink  for  it.  I know  it  is  to  be  had  in  Washington.  M' 
Burwell  got  some  there  for  Ellen.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Thomson.) 

Washington,  December  25,  1808. 

[About  retirement]  ...  I am  full  of  plans  of  employment  when  I 
get  there,  they  chiefly  respect  the  active  functions  of  the  body.  To  the 
mind  I shall  administer  amusement  chiefly.  An  only  daughter  and  nu- 
merous family  of  grandchildren,  will  furnish  me  great  resources  of  hap- 
piness. . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  12;  217.) 

Towards  the  end  of  the  year  Jefferson  received  the  follow- 
ing note,  written  on  a small  piece  of  paper,  from  Mrs.  Samuel 
Harrison  Smith,  wife  of  the  founder  and  editor  of  the  Na- 
tional Intelligencer,  and  a close  friend  of  Jefferson. 

(Mrs.  Smith  to  Jefferson.) 

I have  seen  in  your  cabinet  a Geranium,  which  I understood  you  culti- 
vated with  your  own  hands.  If  you  do  not  take  it  home  with  you,  I 
entreat  you  to  leave  it  with  me.  I cannot  tell  you  how  inexpressively 
precious  it  wUl  be  to  my  heart  It  shall  be  attended  with  the  assiduity 
of  affection  and  watered  with  tears  of  regret  each  day  as  I attend  it,  will 
I invoke  the  best  blessings  of  Heaven,  on  the  most  venerated  of  human 
beings  1 {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


383 


1808] 

(Jefferson’s  reply  to  Mrs.  Smith.) 

Washington,  Mar.  6.  09. 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  respectful  salutations  to  mrs.  Smith,  and 
sends  her  the  Geranium  she  expressed  a willingness  to  receive,  it  is  in 
very  bad  condition,  having  been  neglected  latterly,  as  not  intended  to  be 
removed,  he  cannot  give  it  his  parting  blessing  more  effectually  than 
by  consigning  it  to  the  nourishing  hand  of  mrs.  Smith,  if  plants  have 
sensibility,  as  the  analogy  of  their  organisation  with  ours  seems  to  indi- 
cate, it  cannot  but  be  proudly  sensible  of  her  fostering  attentions,  of 
his  regrets  at  parting  with  the  society  of  Washington,  a very  sensible 
portion  attaches  to  mrs.  Smith,  whose  friendship  he  has  particularly 
valued,  her  promise  to  visit  Monticello  is  some  consolation;  and  he 
can  assure  her  she  will  be  received  with  open  arms  and  hearts  by  the 
whole  family,  he  prays  her  to  accept  the  homage  of  his  affectionate  at- 
tachment and  respect.  (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence:  177.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Dec.  36.  08. 

. . . you  have  little  waggoning  to  do.  it  will  be  well  therefore  to 
have  both  waggons  in  order  and  proceed  to  waggoning  dung  to  the 
garden,  that  from  Milton  should  be  first  brought,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose it  will  be  worth  your  while  to  put  the  road  along  the  river  side  in 
order,  I mean  that  on  the  South  side,  as  this  would  be  to  be  put  into 
good  order  as  soon  as  I come  home,  it  will  be  better  to  do  it  now,  that 
you  may  have  the  benefit  of  it  In  the  job  of  bringing  the  dung  from 
Milton.  6.  waggon  loads  are  first  to  be  laid  on  the  old  asparagus  bed 
below  the  wall,  which  Wormley  must  immediately  spread  even  & then 
fork  it  in  with  the  three  pronged  garden  fork,  taking  care  not  to  fork  so 
Seep  as  to  reach  the  crown  of  the  Asparagus  roots,  then  begin  at  the 
S.W.  end  of  the  garden,  and  drop  a good  waggon  load  of  dung  every 
five  yeards  along  a strait  line  through  die  middle  of  the  garden  from  the 
S.W.  to  the  N.E.  end.  this  will  take  between  60.  & 70.  loads  in  the 
whole,  which  will  do  for  the  first  year. 

As  it  will  be  necessary  that  we  make  preparation  for  clothing  our 
people  another  year,  we  must  plant  a large  cotton  patch,  say  two  acres 
at  the  least,  a light  sandy  soil  is  best.  I suppose  therefore  it  should  be 
in  the  low  grounds  at  the  mill  dam.  seed  can  be  procured  from  those 
who  have  cotton  gins,  the  present  method  of  cultivating  cotton  is  very 
little  laborious,  it  is  done  entirely  with  the  plough,  next,  to  secure 
wool  enough,  the  negroes  dogs  must  all  be  killed,  do  not  spare  a single 
one.  if  you  keep  a couple  yourself  it  will  be  enough  for  the  whole 
land,  let  this  be  carried  into  execution  immediately.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  Huntington.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Washington  Dec.  a8.  08. 

I lately  received  from  my  old  friend  M'.  Thouin  superintendant  of 
the  National  garden  at  Paris  a package  containing  700.  different  kinds  of 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


seeds  of  every  country,  except  of  the  United  States ; they  were  gathered 
in  1807.  and  he  says  they  will  be  good  for  sowing  in  the  spring  of  1809. 
on  every  paper  is  written  the  time  for  sowing  it  (according  to  the  French 
calendar)  and  whether  under  frames,  in  open  air  & what  sort  of  soil, 
satisfied  I could  not  put  them  to  so  good  an  use  as  by  presenting  them  to 
you,  I got  the  favor  of  Cap‘  Jones  of  Philadelphia  to  take  charge  of 

them  by  the  mail,  they  are  in  a small  box  addressed  to  you,  and  as  he 

set  out  in  the  mail  of  this  morning  they  will  have  arrived  one  day  be- 
fore you  receive  this.  Accept  with  them  my  salutations  & assurances  of 
esteem.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

From  the  Account  Book  1808; 

Mar.  2,  p**  Holt  for  4 cones  of  Cedar  of  Lebanon  i.  D. 

Mar.  14.  gave  Jonathan  Shoemaker  ord.  on  bk.  US  21.  D.  for  2. 

bushels  clover  seed  sent  to  Monticello. 

May  4.  received  from  bank  US,  an  order  on  d“.  at  Baltimore  for 
95.04  which  I inclosed  to  P.  A.  Guestier  for  seeds. 


(Jefferson  memorandum.) 

To  describe  on  the  ground  the  Labyrinth  of  broom. 


[1808] 


go  to  the  5“*.  beginning  in  the  avenue  of  broom  for  the  apple-tree-rows, 
viz.  a. 

measure  off  at  right  angles  with  that  165.  f.  to  b. 

describe  round  a circle  of  55.  f radius 

^here  it  crosses  the  line  a.  b.  viz.  at  c.  stick  a pin. 

^’Sjide  the  circle  into  8.  parts,  sticking  pins,  viz  at  43.2  f distance  meas- 
"'^red  on  the  periphery. 

tangent  from  each  point  (with  the  theodolite) 
radius  (55  f.)  on  that  tangent  & describe  a quadrant  from  the 
‘ iln  in  the  periphery 

V a new  center  the  pin  in  the  periphery  which  is  a quadrant  distant 
the  pin  last  ment®.  & with  the  semicircle  (no  f.)  for  a radius 
'^^ibe  from  the  end  of  the  last  quadrant  a portion  of  a circle  till 
^^tersects  the  tangent. 

V®  side  of  this  spiral,  parallel  to  it,  & at  9 f.  distance  from  it  de- 
y.'^scribe  lines 

plant  broom  every  6 f.  along  these  lines,  and  allowing  the  plants  to  put 
out  branches  6.  f,  each  way  it  will  leave  walks  of  6.  f.  wide,  with- 
out ever  rend®,  necess'^  to  trim. 

between  walk  Sc  walk  the  whole  interval  must  be  filled  with  broom  at 
6,  f.  distance,  to  bound  which  properly,  a circle  of  165  f.  rad. 
must  be  circumscribe  round  the  whole. 

(note  these  walks  will  go  off  from  the  circle  where  the  plats  of  broom 
were  erroneously  placed  in  the  figure.)  [See  plate  XXVL] 

{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


re:.C'% 


^s, 


*>■ 


^1 


f*'? 


jiUlLfl'U 


iitrx’s 


the  Moniicelh  house,  with  its  broiid  lawn,  flower  borders,  oval  and  round  flower  beds,  and  fish  ponds. 


i8o9 

1809.^ 

Apr.  10.  planted  in  the  Nursery  next  below  the  little 
grass  terras,  in  a bed  ranging  with  the  upper 
strawberry  bed,  68.  peach  stones  [W.  Meri- 
wether’s * Georgia  black,  unknown,  but  sup- 
pos*  good  because  saved] 

69.  plumstones  in  thel  these  came  from  G. 

row  next  below  Jefferson,*  probably 

,0  . . , sent  him  from  abroad, 

68.  apncotstonesinthe^^.^^^^^^ 

to  me  in  a 

next  row  & a half  ■ ,i,f,ebag.-theycan.e 

from  mrs  Hackley 
Cadiz* 

Apr.  13.  planted  32.  seeds  of  the  Mimosa  Julibritzin* 
in  the  earthen  trough,  in  which  were  also 
sowed  on  the  10“.  inst.  seeds  of  the  Alpine 
strawberry  from  Mazzei.*  sowed  seeds  of 
Dionaea  muscipula  ^ in  a pot.  they  were  sev- 
eral years  old. 

in  square  II.*  beginning  with  the  S.W.  row 
sowed 

I.  row  of  rheum  undulatum,*  esculent  rhu- 
barb. the  leaves  excellent  as  Spinach. 

I.  d®.  Long  pod  soup  pea.  or  Asparagbs 
bean."  pods  3.f.  long,  to  run  on  poles, 
when  green  they  are  dressed  as  Aspara- 
gus, or  as  snaps,  or  boiled  in  soup. 

385 


386 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1809 

I.  d®.  African  early  pea“  lately  introduced 
from  Africa  into  S.  Carol*,  where  it 
gives  3.  crops  a year,  the  two  last  arti- 
cles from  Gen*.  Sumpter.” 

I.  d“.  lentils.  Ervum  lens.” 

3.  d®.  Windsor  beans. 

14.  sowed  oil  radish  ” in  the  nursery  in  the  former 
asparagus  bed. 

G.  Divers  finds  the  following  sufficient  for  his 
family. 

Celery  4oo.f.  running  measure,  to  wit  10. 
rows  of  my  squares  3.f.  apart  4 f is  better 

Salsafy  320.f.  = 8.  rows  of  my  squares  of  40  f. 
at  6.1.  every  way 

Carrots  320.f==8.  d®.  12.I.  apart. 

parsneps200.f  = 5.  d“.  12.I.  apart. 

beet  200.f  = s.  d".  12.I.  apart,” 

26.  sowed  Monthly  strawberry  seed  from  Col®. 
Worthington”  in  Nursery  E.  corner. 

April  29.  Squash  from  Maine.^*  in  the  terras  next 
soft  cymling.**  below  the  garden 

solid  pumpkin  from  S.  wall  & in  the  or- 
America,  der  here  named 

long  pumpkin  from  Malta.!- from  S.W.  to 
3.  to  4.f.  long.  2.f.  circum-  N.E.  considerably 
ference.  127.  lb  weight,  distant  from  each 
the  seed  look  like  gourd,  other, 
qu? 

Behni.”  from  Bailey’s  walk  *®  to  Stable  yard. 


iSog]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  387 

May.  2.  Orange  gourd  in  upper  terras  of  N.E.  vine- 
yard. 

long  gourd."  in  15"’.  d".  of  d'. 

Sep.  5.  planted  8.  figs  from  D'.  Thorton  **  under  S.W. 
end  of  wall,  about  I2.f.  apart. 

mf  Randolph’s " onions  have  yielded  at  the 
rate  of  240.  bushels  per  acre,  the  largest 
squares " of  my  garden  of  an  acre  would 
yield  9.  bush. 

Oct.  5.  planted  14.  Paulina  Aurea,  or  Koelreuteria 
paniculata  aurea  ” in  2 boxes  & a pot,  to  wit  4. 
II,  III.  in  the  pot,  4.  in  the  large  box,  N*  3.  2 in  the 
small  one.  N*.  2.  recieved  the  seeds  from 
Mad*,  de  Tesse.” 

Nov.  6.  planted  from  mf  Lomax’s " 

3.  Modesty  shrubs,**  viz  i.  in  N.E.  circular 
bed,**  I.  in  N.W.&i.in  S.W.  d“. 

5.  Jujubes,*®  viz  i.  in  S.E,  clump  2.  in  S.W. 
d“,  2.  in  N.W.  d", 

21.  Star  jasmines.**  2 in  each  of  the  oval  beds 

24  Filberts**  in  the  lowest  terras  below  the 
old  filbert  bush.  & every  other  one  above 
includ*  7.  tcrrasses. 

VII.  VIII.  IX.  2.  Acacia  Niloticas  **  box  7.  8.  i or- 
ange,** I.  lime**  in  boxes  in  the  Green- 
house.'* NMX 

N®.  I.  a box.  shell  barks.*’ 

V.  is  a sour  orange  brot  from  Washington. 


Kalendar**  1809.  (continued) 


1809] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


389 


Kalendar**  1809.  (coatinae^ 


390 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


an  the  2a4.  gpod  rain. 


Kalendor"  1809.  (condnued) 


Kalendar**  1809.  (eontiaued) 


Ealendar"  1809.  (condnoed) 


394 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1809 

* i8og.  Jefferson  retired  from  the  Presidency  on  March  4. 
Three  days  before,  he  had  signed  the  bill  for  the  repeal  of  the 
Embargo.  As  early  as  January  19,  he  was  busy  with  “pack- 
ing & breaking  up  my  establishment.”  On  March  2 he  wrote 
to  his  friend,  Monsieur  Dupont  de  Nemours: 

Within  a few  days  I retire  to  my  family,  my  books  and  farms;  and 
having  gained  the  harbor  myself,  I shall  look  on  my  friends  still  buffet- 
ing the  storm  with  anxiety  indeed,  but  not  with  envy.  Never  did  a 
prisoner,  released  from  his  chains,  feel  such  relief  as  I shall  on  shaking 
off  the  shackles  of  power.  Nature  intended  me  for  the  tranquil  pursuits 
of  science,  by  rendering  them  my  supreme  delight.  But  the  enormities 
of  the  times  in  which  I have  lived,  have  forced  me  to  take  a part  in  re- 
sisting them,  and  to  commit  myself  on  the  boisterous  ocean  of  political 
passions.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  12 : 259-260.) 

He  left  Washington  on  March  ri,  after  seeing  his  devoted 
friend,  James  Madison,  inaugurated  President  to  succeed  him. 
He  arrived  at  Monticello  on  the  15th.  Probably  no  man 
ever  returned  to  his  home  with  more  eagerness.  He  had  com- 
pleted his  public  life  and  now  was  determined  to  live  the  happy 
and  abundant  life  which  his  dear  Monticello  offered.  To  help 
him  enjoy  his  retirement  were  his  daughter  and  son-in-law, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Randolph;  their  children;  and  Francis  Eppes, 
the  only  child  of  Maria  (Jefferson)  Eppes  and  Mr.  Eppes. 
Mr.  Eppes  had  remarried. 

Jefferson  was  now  in  his  sixty-seventh  year.  Two  days 
after  he  arrived  home  March  17,  he  wrote  to  President 
Madison: 

I had  a very  fatiguing  journey,  having  found  the  roads  excessively 
bad,  although  I have  seen  them  worse.  The  last  three  days  I found  it 
better  to  be  on  horseback,  and  travelled  eight  hours  through  as  disagree- 
able a snow  storm  as  I was  ever  in.  Feeling  no  inconvenience  from 
the  expedition  but  fatigue,  I have  more  confidence  in  my  vis  vitae  than 
I had  before  entertained.  The  spring  is  remarkably  backward.  No 
oats  sown,  not  much  tobacco  seed,  and  little  done  in  the  gardens.  Wheat 
has  suffered  considerably.  No  vegetation  visible  yet  but  the  red  maple, 
weeping  willow  and  lilac.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  la: 
266-267.) 

When  Jefferson  retired,  he  did  not  find  his  estates  in  the 
condition  they  would  have  been  had  he  been  supervisor;  still 
they  were  in  a much  better  state  than  they  had  been  after  any 
other  of  his  prolonged  absences.  New  roads  and  walks  had 


1809] 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


395 


been  completed,  the  toll  mill  was  now  finished  and  running, 
and  the  orchard  had  been  enlarged  and  planted  with  many 
new  fruit  trees  and  berries.  The  house,  too,  had  reached  its 
final  form,  and  was  in  appearance  very  much  as  it  is  today. 

During  his  vice-presidency  and  presidency,  Jefferson’s  ex- 
penditures had  far  exceeded  his  salary,  so  that  he  returned  to 
Monticello  in  rather  straitened  financial  circumstances.  Yet, 
despite  this  fact,  many  improvements  were  undertaken  at  his 
estates. 

When  he  arrived  home,  he  found  the  garden  levelled,  ma- 
nured, and  ready  for  the  spring  planting.  He  divided  it  into 
at  least  eighteen  beds  or  squares,  of  varying  sizes,  with  an  in- 
ner border  next  to  the  wall  for  certain  vegetables,  and  a grass 
walk  on  the  outer  or  opposite  side.  The  squares,  by  1812, 
had  been  increased  to  twenty-four.  (See  plate  XXXIII.) 

Mrs.  Samuel  Harrison  Smith,  of  Washington,  who  visited 
Monticello  during  the  summer  of  1809,  described  the  garden 
as  follows: 

When  we  rose  from  the  table,  a walk  was  proposed  and  he  accom- 
panied us.  He  took  us  first  to  the  garden  he  has  commenced  since  his 
retirement.  It  is  on  the  south  side  of  the  mountain  and  commands  a 
most  noble  view.  Little  is  as  yet  done.  A terrace  of  70  or  80  feet 
long  and  about  40  wide  is  already  made  and  in  cultivation.  A broad 
grass  walk  leads  along  the  outer  edge;  the  inner  part  is  laid  off  in  beds 
for  vegetables.  This  terrace  is  to  be  extended  in  length  and  another  to 
be  made  below  it.  The  view  it  commands,  is  at  present  its  greatest 
beauty.  (Smith,  Washington  Society:  68.) 

Jefferson  filled  the  garden  with  an  amazmg  number  of  vege- 
tables, berries,  and  fruits.  In  the  Garden  Book  he  made  a 
Kalendar  showing  where  the  vegetables  were  planted;  when 
sowed;  if  transplanted,  when;  and  the  time  of  coming  to  the 
table  and  when  gone.  He  also  arranged  columns  for  seeds 
gathered,  and  observations. 

Three  and  one-half  pages  of  the  Garden  Book  were  filled 
with  plantings  made  in  the  garden  and  orchard.  Plants  were 
discussed  in  numerous  letters  and  memoranda.  The  Farm 
Book  has  the  following  entry  about  the  Monticello  farm : 

Monticello  Farm 

1809.  Divide  it  into  3,  fields  of  60  a*,  each.  1.  for  half  corn,  half 
oats,  peas,  or  millet,  one  for  wheat  60.  a*,  and  one  for  clover 
60  a*,  and  aim  at  a 4***.  for  clover  also  as  soon  as  we  can. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1809 

the  North  field,  to  wit  the  60  a'.  N.  of  the  road  leading  through 
the  farm  will  be  one. 

the  Riverfield,  to  wit,  the  field  on  the  River  & up,  between  the 
road  & Park  branch  to  y*.  Ragged  br. 

Belfield,  to  wit  the  grounds  South  of  the  same  road,  & between 
that,  the  N.  & S.  fence  & the  perpetual  pasture,  for  a 3*. 

During  the  fall  Jefferson  visited  Richmond,  Eppington, 
Carysbrook,  Montpelier,  and  Poplar  Forest.  He  was  at 
Monticello  during  the  rest  of  the  year,  except  for  short  trips 
to  Charlottesville. 

* See  note  3,  under  1804. 

' George  Jefferson  was  a distant  kinsman  of  Thomas  Jeffer- 
son and  his  business  correspondent  and  agent  in  Richmond, 
Virginia.  There  exists  a voluminous  correspondence  between 
them,  in  various  Jefferson  collections, 

* Mrs.  Harriet  Hackley,  wife  of  Richard  S.  Hackley.  Mrs. 
Hackley  was  a sister  of  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.  She  was 
in  Cadiz,  Spain,  when  these  fruit  stones  were  sent  to  Jefferson. 

* Albizzia  julibrissin  Durazz.  Mimosa  or  silk  tree. 

* Philip  Mazzei,  See  note  i,  1774. 

^ See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Timothy  Bloodworth,  January  29, 
1804,  The  seeds  of  Dionaea  muscipula  Ellis  were  over  five 
years  old.  Small  in  his  Southeastern  Flora  gives  the  range  of 
Dionaea  muscipula  today,  as  Coastal  Plain,  Eastern  South 
Carolina  and  North  Carolina.  See  letter,  Benjamin  Hawkins 
to  Jefferson,  October  6,  1789. 

"This  is  the  first  mention  that  the  vegetable  garden  was 
divided  into  squares. 

* Probably  the  same  as  Rheum  rhaponticum  L. 

“ Figna  sesquipedalis  W.  F.  Wright. 

Not  identified. 

_ “ General  Thomas  Sumter  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1734.  He  died  at  Camden,  Sputh  Carolina,  on  June 
I,  1832.  His  life  was  an  active  one.  He  served  against  the 
French  in  1755  and  was  at  Braddock’s  defeat.  In  March, 
1776,  he  was  made  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  3rd  South  Caro- 
lina Regiment,  and  was  later  raised  to  the  rank  of  brigadier 
general.  He  was  a member  of  the  South  Carolina  Conven- 
tion which  ratified  the  Constitution.  From  i8oi  to  1809  he 
was  United  States  Senator  from  South  Carolina,  and  in  18  ii 
was  sent  as  our  Minister  to  Brazil.  (Lippincott’s  Pronounc- 


Jefferson’s  Garben  Book 


1809] 


597 


ittff  Biographical  Dictionary  (Philadelphia,  1930) : 2267. 
Hereafter  cited  as  Lippincott’s  Biographical  Dictionary.) 

“ Lens  esculenta  Moench. 

Oil  radish.  Raphanus  sativus  L. 

A variety  of  the  Common  Radish,  particularly  adapted  for  the  produc- 
tion of  oil,  and  distinguished  by  the  name  R.  sativus  olifer,  or  Oil  Radish. 
Its  stems  are  dwarf,  from  a foot  and  a half  to  two  feet  in  height,  much 
branched,  spreading,  and  produce  more  seed-pods  than  the  Common 
Radish.  It  is  grown  rather  extensively  in  China  for  its  oil;  from 
whence  it  has  been  introduced  into  and  cultivated  in  some  parts  of 
Europe;  but  it  does  not  appear  with  any  particular  success,  though  much 
has  been  said  and  written  in  its  favor.  (Burr,  Vegetables:  613,) 

“ See  letter,  George  Divers  to  Jefferson,  April  22,  1809. 

“Colonel  Thomas  Worthington  was  born  July  16,  1773, 
near  Charleston,  Virginia,  now  West  Virginia.  In  1798  he 
moved  to  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  where  for  the  remainder  of  his 
life  he  had  as  an  avocation  the  running  of  his  large  farm.  He 
represented  the  Territory  of  Ohio  and  later  the  State  in  sev- 
eral capacities.  He  was  twice  Governor  of  the  State.  He 
died  June  20,  1827.  {Diet.  Am.  Biog.  20:  540-541.) 
There  are  two  letters  from  l^r.  Worthington  to  Jefferson  in 
the  Jefferson  Papers  of  the  Library  of  Congress,  both  about 
strawberries.  They  are  dated  March  3 and  September  3, 
1805.  The  seeds  mentioned  above  were  probably  received 
in  1805. 

” Thomas  Main,  seedsman  and  nurseryman  of  Georgetown, 
of  whom  Jefferson  was  a customer.  In  a letter  to  Mr.  Joel 
Barlow,  written  January  24,  1810,  he  said  of  Mr.  Main: 
“You  ask  my  opinion  of  Maine.  I think  him  a most  excellent 
man.  Sober,  industrious,  intelligent  and  conscientious.”  See 
letter,  Jefferson  to  Madison,  April  27,  1809. 

“ The  botanical  names  of  soft  cymbling,  solid  pumpkin  from 
South  America,  and  long  pumpkin  from  Malta  have  not  been 
ascertained. 

Jefferson  used  various  spellings  for  benne,  Sesamum 
orientale  L.  He  wrote  it  “bene,”  “benny,”  and  “benni.” 
.See  various  letters  of  1808,  1809,  1810,  about  benne. 

*®  See  plate  XXXII  for  location  of  Bailey’s  walk  and  the 
garden  wall. 

" Orange  gourd  and  long  gourd,  varieties  of  Lagenaria 
leucantha  Rusby. 


398 


Jeffersok's  Garden  Book 


[1809 

®*  Dr,  William  Thornton  was  born  in  the  West  Indies  on 
May  27,  1761,  studied  medicine  at  Edinburgh,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  and  married  in  1790.  He  is  Important  as 
the  first  architect  of  the  new  Capitol  in  Washington.  Jeffer- 
son and  he  were  close  friends.  They  often  exchanged  ideas 
on  architecture,  gardening,  and  other  matters.  He  died 
March  27,  1828.  (Cydopedia  of  American  Biography 
(Philadelphia,  1912)  2:  448.)  See  letter,  Jefferson  to 
Thornton,  October  ii,  1809,  concerning  these  figs. 

**  Thomas  Mann  Randolph  (October  i,  1768-June  20, 
1828),  son  of  Thomas  Mann  Randolph  and  Anne  (Cary) 
Randolph,  of  Tuckahoe.  He  married  Jefferson's  daughter, 
Martha,  on  February  23,  1790,  at  Monticello.  They  lived 
ztMonticello,  Farina,  and  Edgehill.  Randolph  was  a farmer, 
a member  of  Congress,  and  Governor  of  Virginia. 

**  This  Is  one  of  the  few  times  that  Jefferson  mentions  the 
size  of  the  squares  of  the  garden.  This  would  indicate  that 
the  squares  were  of  different  sizes. 

**  Koelreuteria  paniculata  Laxm.  So  far  as  I have  been 
able  to  ascertain,  Jefferson  was  the  first  one  to  plant  this  tree 
in  Albemarle  County.  The  tree  is  known  as  the  Pride  of 
India,  China  Tree,  and  Varnish  Tree.  See  letter,  Jefferson 
to  Madame  de  Tesse,  March  27,  i8n. 

*•  Madame  Noailles  de  Tesse  was  an  aunt  of  Lafayette. 
She  was  a connoisseur  of  gardening  and  the  arts  in  general. 
A warm  friendship  grew  up  between  her  and  Jefferson  when 
he  was  in  France,  and  it  continued  until  her  death.  Many  of 
their  friendly  letters  on  horticulture  are  extant.  Jefferson  sent 
her  a collection  of  plants  from  Virginia  almost  yearly  after  his 
return  from  France.  Both  she  and  M.  de  Tesse  died  in  1814. 

Thomas  Lomax  was  born  at  Portobago,  in  Caroline 
County,  Virgmia,  in  1746.  He  married  Anne  Corbin  Tayloe, 
He  died  in  1811. 

*•  See  letter,  Thomas  Lomax  to  Jefferson,  October  30,  1809, 
and  letter  of  Jefferson  to  Lomax,  November  6,  1809.  Moi 
esty  shrub,  unidentified. 

**  Sec  plate  XXIII  for  the  location  of  these  flower  beds. 

**  Jujubes.  Zizyphus  jujuba  Mill. 

Star  jasmine.  Probably  Jasminum  officinale  L. 

“ Corylus  avellana  L, 


Plate  XXIX.— Page  3?  of  the  ormoal  Garden  Booh.  1 his  page  shows  Jefferson’s 
method  for  keeping  the  garden  Kalendar  for  the  year. 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


399 


1809] 

**  “The  species  of  acacia  which  produces  gum-arabic,  frank- 
incense, and  the  fuccus  accaciae  is  the  mimosa  nilotica,  and  not 
the  mimosa  Senegal,  as  was  long  imagined”  (Colin  Milne, 
Botanical  Dictionary  (London,  1805)).  The  acacia  men- 
tioned here  is  Acacia  farnesiana  WiUd. 

**  Citrus  aurantium  L. 

**  Citrus  aurontifolia  Swingle. 

**  Jefferson’s  greenhouse  was  a glassed-in  piazza  on  the 
southeastern  end  of  his  house.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Wil- 
liam Hamilton,  March  i,  1808;  and  letter,  Jefferson  to  Mc- 
Mahon, April  8,  18 1 1. 

Shell  barks.  Probably  Carya  laciniosa  Loud. 

The  Kalendar  was  kept  with  varying  completeness  each 
year  through  1824. 

**  According  to  Rogers,  the  Early  York  Cabbage  was  introduced  into 
England  from  Flanders,  more  than  a hundred  years  ago,  by  a private 
soldier  named  Telford,  who  was  there  many  years  in  the  reign  of  Queen 
Anne.  On  his  return  to  England,  he  settled  as  a seedsman  in  York- 
shire j whence  the  name  and  celebrity  of  the  variety.  ...  In  this  coun- 
try, it  is  one  of  the  oldest,  most  familiar,  and,  as  an  early  market  sort, 
one  of  the  most  popular,  of  all  the  kinds  now  cultivated.  (Rurr,  Vege~ 
tables:  257.) 

variety  of  the  so-called  cabbage  lettuce,  Lactuca 
sativa  L. 

" One  of  the  stone  houses  along  the  Mulberry  Row,  the 
Round-about  just  above  the  vegetable  garden. 

**  Ledman’s  dwarf  pea.  See  letters  between  Jefferson  and 
McMahon  of  February  8 and  February  28,  1809. 

**  Crambe  maritima  L.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  McMahon, 
February  8,  1809. 

**  Artemisia  dracunculus  L.  See  various  letters  about  tar- 
ragon: Jefferson  to  McMahon,  April  25,  i8o6  (p.  313) ; Mc- 
Mahon to  Jefferson,  April  30  and  July  12,  1806,  and  January 
17,  1809. 

" Tree  onion,  Allium  cepa  var.  viviparum  Metz.  The  un- 
derground bulb  is  small  and  undeveloped,  the  bulbils  being 
borne  in  flower-cluster,  and  used  for  propagation. 

" See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Smith  Barton,  October 
6,  1810. 

Rumex  acetosa  L. 


400 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1809 


Solatium  melongena  L. 

Probably  Benincasa  hispida  Cogn. 

Probably  a variety  of  Cucurbita  moschata  Duchesne. 

“ Malta,  Scotch,  and  Delaware  kales  are  different  kinds  of 
Brassica  oleracea  var.  acephala  DC. 

“ Probably  the  same  pumpkin  that  is  known  today  as  the 
sweet  potato  pumpkin,  Cucurbita  moschata  Duchesne. 

**  Ravensworth  was  the  home  of  William  Fitzhugh.  It 
was  about  ten  miles  from  Washington  and  hence  a convenient 
first  night  stopping  place  for  Jefferson  on  his  trips  to  Monti- 
cello  from  Washington.  These  peas  were,  no  doubt,  given  to 
Jefferson  by  Mr.  Fitzhugh. 

**  Topinambour,  another  name  for  the  Jerusalem  artichoke, 
Helianthus  tuberosus  L. 

*'  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Benjamin  S.  Barton,  October  6, 

1810. 

"TMR.  Thomas  Mann  Randolph. 

" John  H.  Craven,  who  rented  from  Jefferson  land  adjoin- 
ing Monticello. 

Letters,  Extracts  op  Letters,  and  Memoranda,  1809 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

Washington  Jan.  3.  09. 

My  letter  by  Davy  would  lead  you  into  an  error  as  to  the  day  of  his 
departure,  as  I dated  it  Dec.  30.  instead  of  31.  by  mistake,  if  it  is  now 
as  cold  with  you  as  it  is  here  I am  in  hopes  you  will  be  able  & ready  to 
fill  the  ice  house,  it  would  be  a real  calamity  should  we  not  have  ice  to 
do  it,  as  it  would  require  double  the  quantity  of  fresh  meat  in  summer 
had  we  not  ice  to  keep  it.  I had  really  forgotten  the  artide  of  flax, 
which  is  quite  as  necessary  as  cotton,  but  I am  so  much  a stranger  to 
the  quantity  an  acre  will  bring,  that  I must  leave  it  to  you  to  fix.  you 
know  how  much  brown  linen  it  will  take  to  dothe  all  the  people.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philaddphia  Jan^  S'®.  1809. 

With  many  thanks  and  obligations,  I adcnowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
kind  letter  of  the  a8‘^  ult”.  and  also,  the  very  valuable  collection  of 
seeds  you  were  pleased  to  send  me  per  favour  of  Cap^  Jones ; and  I hope 
the  confidence  you  reposed  in  me  on  this,  as  well  as  on  several  other 
similar  occasions,  will  not  be  disappointed. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


401 


1809] 

I have  pleasure  and  pride  in  the  successful  cultivation  of  plants;  but 
in  proportion  to  the  actual  or  probable  good  I can  render  thereby  to  my 
fellow-men ; and  indeed  I do  not  begrudge  a share  to  such  of  the  brute 
animals  as  can  possibly  be  benefitted  thereby. 

Last  month  I purchased  in  the  vicinity  of  this  City  20  Acres  of  ground, 
well  adapted  for  a Nursery  & Botanic  Garden,  and  hope  that,  in  a few 
years,  I shall  enrich  that  spot,  and  through  it,  in  some  measure,  the 
country  in  general,  with  as  extensive  and  useful  a collection  of  vegetable 
productions,  as  can  reasonably  be  expected  from  the  small  means  of 
which  I am  possessed ; but  perseverance  and  industry,  even  with  trifling 
pecuniary  resources,  having  so  frequently  surmounted  what  were  con- 
sidered great  difficulties,  leave  me  room  to  hope;  therefore  I do  not 
despair.  . . . 

P.  S.  M'.  Michaux  informed  me  that  there  is  a very  large  fruited  kind 
of  Hickory  growing  in  Glocester  County,  V\  which  he  takes  to  be  a 
non  described  species j and  at  the  same  time  M'.  Hamilton,  of  the  Wood- 
lands, shewed  us  some  plants,  which  he  said  were  produced  from  nuts, 
which  you  were  so  good  as  to  send  him,  & as  I wish  for  all  the  species  of 
Juglans  of  the  United  States,  that  I can  possibly  procure,  you  would 
greatly  oblige  me  by  putting  me  in  the  way  of  obtaining  some  of  the 
Glocester  Nuts.  I have  from  time  to  time  given  M^  Hamilton  a great 
variety  of  plants,  and  altho’  he  is  in  every  other  respect  a particular 
friend  of  mine,  he  never  offered  me  one  in  return;  and  I did  not  think 
it  prudent  to  ask  him,  lest  it  should  terminate  that  friendship ; as  I well 
know  his  jealousy  of  any  person’s  attempt  to  vie  with  him,  in  a collec- 
tion of  plants.  {Jefferson  Papers ^ L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 


Washington  Jan,  8.  09. 

The  Gloucester  hiccory  nut,  after  which  you  enquire,  has  I think, 
formerly  spread  extensively  over  th»  continent  from  East  to  West,  be- 
tween the  latitudes  of  36°.  & 38°.  but  only  in  the  richest  bottom  lands 
on  the  river  sides,  those  lands  being  now  almost  entirely  cleared,  I 
know  of  no  remains  of  these  nuts  but  a very  few  trees  specially  pre- 
served in  Gloucester,  and  some  on  the  Roanoke,  in  Kentucky  there  are 
still  a great  many  & West  of  the  Missisipi  it  is,  1 believe,  their  only  nut 
of  the  Juglans  family,  the  Osages  brought  me  a parcel  from  their  coun- 
try which  I distributed  among  the  members  of  Congress  & planted  some 
myself,  having  sent  away  my  books,  I have  not  Gronovius’s  (or  rather 
Clayton’s)  Flora  Virginica  to  turn  to.  but  he  certainly  must  have  de- 
scribed it,  as  he  lived  in  Gloucester,  & I know  that  it  grew  in  his  neigh- 
borhood, a gentleman  here  happening  to  have  two  of  these  nuts  lately 
brought  from  Kentucky,  I have  procured  & now  send  them  to  you.  I 
have  taken  measures  to  have  some  sent  me  by  post  from  Roanoke,  and 
shall  immediately  write  to  Glow^ter  for  some,  these  may  arrive  in 
time  to  be  planted.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


402 


Jbfferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1809 


(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Jan^.  i?***.  1809. 

I duly  received  the  Gloucester  nute,  and  am  extremely  obliged  to  you 
for  them ; the  more  so  as  I have  for  two  or  three  years  past  paid  particu- 
lar attention  to  the  Juglans  family,  and  have  not  been  able  to  make  out, 
to  my  satisfaction,  more  than  7 United  States  species,  viz: 


1.  Juglans  nigra,  Lin. 

2.  Juglans  cinerea  Lin. 

oblonga  Du  Roi  & Mill, 
cathartica,  Michaux  Jim'. 

3.  Juglans  olivaformis  Mich. 

pecan.  Marsh.  & Muhl. 
cylindrica  Link 

4.  Juglans  sulcata  Willd. 

Mucronata  Mich, 
amara,  Muhl.  & Mich  j' 
alba  minima,  Marsh. 

5.  Juglans  alba,  Mich,  nec  Lin. 

alba  ovata.  Marsh, 
squamosa.  Mich,  j'. 

6.  Juglans  tomentosa.  Mich. 

alba  Lin.  & Gaertner 

7.  Juglans  compressa.  Gaert. 

alba  odorata,  Marsh, 
porcina,  Mich,  J'. 


1 

1 

1 

I 


With  the  7“.  species,  Willdenow  has  confounded  the  S***.  or  alba 
of  Michaux,  our  true  Shell-bark;  but  I am  inclined  to  believe  that  the 
J.  glabra  & J.  obcordata,  of  Willdenow’s  edition  of  the  Sp.  Flan  are  but 
mere  varieties  of  the  above  7‘’‘.  or  compressa.  I have  seen  and  ex- 
amined the  trees  of  M'.  Hamilton’s  from  which  these  two  species  are 
■said  to  have  been  made,  by  Doctor  Muhlenberg,  (the  obcordata  of 
Muhl,  & Willd.  M'.  Hamilton  calls  iiciformis)  but  1 really  can  find 
no  difference,  between  either,  & the  compressa;  except  a trifling  differ- 
ence in  the  shape  of  the  pericarpium,  which  is  not  at  all  uncommon  in 
every  species  of  the  genus. 

If  the  Glocester  nut  belongs  to  any  of  the  above  species,  it  must 
be  to  the  6^.  the  alba  of  Lin.  & tomentosa  of  Mich,  The  latter  name 
I would  prefer,  on  account  of  its  being  descriptive.  The  alba  of  Mich. 
I never  saw  with  more  than  five  leaflet;  consequently  it  cannot  or  ought 
not  to  be  gpven  as  a synonym  to  compressa,  which  Willdenow  describes, 
"J.  foliolis  septenis,  im.”  and  which  is  just. 

I wish  to  l^ow  if  the  Tarragon  tMts  1 sent  you  have  succeeded  as.  I 
can  send  you  a supply  in  </«e  time  this  season  if  th^  failed. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


403 


1809] 

I am  very  anxious  to  learn  when  Governor  Lewis  may  be  expected 
here,  as  I have  detained  a man  in  my  house  upwards  of  twelve  months, 
drawing  & describing  his  plants,  which  he  left  with  me  for  that  pur- 
pose; this  was  accomplished  in  May  last,  as  far  as  it  could  be  done  in 
the  absence  of  Gov'  Lewis,  and  he  told  me  on  his  leaving  this  City  he 
expected  to  be  here  again  in  that  month.  This  man,  who  is  completely 
adequate  to  the  task,  is  becoming  very  uneasy,  and  I wish  him  not  to 
leave  the  neighborhood  till  the  arrival  of  M'.  Lewis,  by  whose  particular 
instructions  only,  he  can  finish  the  drawings  of  some  very  important,  but 
imperfect  specimens.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers ^ L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Lomax.) 

Washington  Jan.  19.  ’09. 

...  I thank  you  for  the  plant  of  Acacia  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to 
deliver  mrs  Bankhead  for  me.  this  is  the  only  plant  besides  the  Orange 
that  I would  take  the  trouble  of  nursing  in  a green  house.  I rely  on 
the  garden  & faim  for  a great  portion  of  the  enjoyment  I promise  myself 
in  retirement.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  L.  Bankhead) 

Washington,  Jan.  19,  09. 

I have  waited  till  I could  execute  Anne’s  commission  as  to  the  seed  of 
the  ice-plant,  before  acknoleging  the  receipt  of  her  letter  of  Dec.  19  and 
your’s  of  the  20“*.  I now  inclose  the  seed,  in  the  envelope  of  a pamphlet 
for  Docf.  Bankhead’s  acceptance.  . . . Mr.  Lomax  writes  me  he  has 
given  Anne  a small  plant  of  the  Acacia  for  me,  with  which  I hope  I 
shall  meet  you  both  at  Monticello  in  March.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  C.  i:  132-133.) 

(General  John  Mason  to  Jefferson.) 

Analoston  Island  Jan.  22,  1809. 

. . . J.  Mason  presents  his  respects  to  the  President,  and  with  very 
great  pleasure  sends  him  the  garden  seeds  asked  in  his  note  of  the  other 
day,  in  addition  to  which  he  begs  his  acceptance  of  a few  of  the  Buda- 
Kale — an  excellent  kind  of  Can taleup— Spanish  tomato  (very  much 
larger  than  the  common  kinds) — ^and  Estragon,  from  the  plant  the 
President  was  so  good  as  to  send  J.  M.  a year  or  two  ago,  which  has 
flourished  well  in  the  open  air — and  will  in  Spring  afford  plenty  of 
slips — Should  he  find  those  convenient  of  carriage. 

This  Kale  is  a new  vegetable  lately  introduced  from  Germany,  it  has 
been  cultivated  here  for  the  last  3 years  and  found  an  acquisition  particu- 
larly that  it  passes  the  winter  without  protection  & is  the  flrst  thing 
growing  in  spring,  when  it  is  a very  early  & grateful  green  boild  as 
sprouts — ^it  is  said  to  be  valuable  for  stock  and  particularly  sheep  in 
winter, 


404 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1809 

These  seeds  are  all  of  J.  M.  own  sowing  and  may  be  depended  on. 
That  they  may  succeed  at  Monticello  & furnish  abundant  crops — 
and  that  you  Sir  may  live  many  years  to  enjoy  your  garden  & your  fields, 
in  sweet  repose  from  your  long  and  inestimable  labours  will  be  the  in- 
creasing prayer.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers^  M.  H.  S.) 

(Williamson  & Cowling  to  Jefferson.) 

Savannah  January  35***.  1809. 

At  the  request  of  our  friend  the  Hon’*'*  John  Milledge,  we  have 
shipped  to  your  address,  to  the  care  of  Mess'.  Fall  & Brown  Merchants, 
in  Baltimore,  Two  tierces  containing  each  ten  Bushels  Cotton  Seed — 
the  one  of  Green  Seed,  the  other  of  the  Sea  Island  black  seed,  which  we 
hope  will  get  Speedily  & Safely  to  hand  and,  upon  trial,  equal  your  ex- 
pectations. 

The  said  seed  is  shipped  on  board  the  Schooner  Mary  Capt.  Almeda, 
which  vessel  left  this  Port  for  Baltimore  yesterday  forenoon.  . . . {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L,  C.)  (See  also  letter,  Jefferson  to  John  Hollins,  Feb- 
ruary ig,  1809.) 

(Jefferson  to  General  John  Mason.) 

Jan.  a6.  09. 

Th:  Jefferson  has  received  the  seeds  which  General  Mason  has  been 
so  kind  as  to  send  him,  and  returns  him  many  thanb  for  them,  they 
will  be  a valuable  acquisition  to  him.  he  is  very  sensible  of  the  kind 
sentiments  expressed  in  his  note  and  assures  him  he  reciprocates  them 
sincerely  to  mra  Mason  & himself,  and  that  at  whatever  distance  with- 
drawn from  them,  the  information  of  their  welfare  will  always  give  him 
great  pleasure,  should  any  circumstances  ever  draw  them  towards  his 
part  of  the  country  it  will  give  him  real  happiness  to  receive  them  at 
Monticello.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Ellen  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Jan.  a6  1809 

. . . Although  I have  not  much  to  say,  unless  1 talk  about  plants; 
those  in  the  large  box  were  killed  to  the  roots,  but  they  are  coming  up 
all  over  the  box,  those  in  the  small  pot  were  killed  also  but  are  putting 
out  small  fresh  buds,  the  evergreens  have  lost  all  their  leaves,  but  one 
little  branch  on  each  which  look  lively  enough.  The  sweet  scented  grass 
looks  very  badly  although  Mama  separated  the  roots  and  planted  them 
with  great  care  in  a box  of  fine  rich  mould  and  the  season  in  which  it 
was  done  was  warm  and  rainy.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(jeffersoh  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Washington  Jan.  37.  09. 

I received  last  night  from  my  friend  in  Gloucester  an  answer  to  my 
letter  requesting  some  Gloucester  hiccory  nuts,  he  informs  me  that  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


405 


1809] 

few  which  are  saved  are  generally  consumed  early  in  the  season  and  that 
accident  only  has  enabled  him  to  send  me  4.  nuts,  which  are  from  the 
genuine  trees.  I now  forward  them  to  you,  and  expect  soon  to  receive 
a better  supply  from  Roanoke,  by  comparing  the  nuts  now  sent,  with 
those  sent  before  which  were  from  Kentucky,  you  will  be  able  to  judge 
whether  there  is  any  difference.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Washington,  Jan.  31,  09. 

I received  in  due  time  your  kind  letter  of  the  ao^’’.  Certainly  1 shall 
be  much  pleased  to  receive  your  aid  & councel  in  the  management  of  my 
farms,  which  will  become  so  essential.  My  whole  life  has  been  past  in 
occupations  which  kept  me  from  any  minute  attention  to  them,  and  finds 
me  now  with  only  very  general  ideas  of  the  theory  of  agriculture,  with- 
out actual  experience;  at  a time  of  life  too  when  the  memory  is  not  so 
retentive  of  observation  as  at  an  earlier  period.  The  tracts  of  land 
which  I propose  to  you  to  endeavor  to  sell  are  such  as  can  be  of  little 
use  to  our  family.  I have  acquired  or  kept  them  to  furnish  timber,  but 
I am  certain  I never  got  an  half  per  cent  on  their  value  in  a year  yet. 
A property  yielding  so  little  profit  had  better  be  sold  and  converted  into 
more  profitable  form,  and  none  can  be  more  profitable,  that  is,  yield  so 
much  happiness,  as  the  paiment  of  debts,  which  are  an  unsufferable 
torment.  Sharp  and  Crenshaw,  who  live  near  Pouncey’s,  told'me  they 
would  rather  undertake  to  crop  on  that  land  than  on  the  best  red  land 
you  or  myself  possessed.  If  you  could  find  a purchaser,  therefore,  it 
might  be  at  a price  that  might  remove  some  more  pressing  calls.  Per- 
haps the  owner  of  Colle  would  buy  the  tract  adjoining  that.  They  can 
never  be  put  to  a better  use,  or  one  so  pleasing  to  me,  as  in  relieving  your 
more  valuable  property  from  calls,  and  whether  they  go  to  pay  your 
debts  or  mine  is  perfectly  equal  to  me,  as  I consider  our  property  as  a 
common  stock  for  our  joint  family.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C. 

I!  134.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Willson  Peale.) 

Washington  Feb.  6.  1809- 

...  I begin  already  to  be  much  occupied  in  preparation  for  my  de- 
parture to  those  scenes  of  rural  retirement  after  which  my  soul  is  pant- 
ing. . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Ellen  Randolph.) 

Washington  Feb.  6.  09. 

[Jefferson’s  answer  to  Ellen’s  letter  of  January  a6.] 

Plants  in  pot  & box: 

Savory — a dead  plant,  it’s  leaves  very  aromatic,  a little  resembling 
thyme  my  dependance  is  that  it’s  seed  are 'shed  on  the  earth  in  the  box  & 
will  come  up 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


406 


[1809 


arbor  vitae — a small  evergreen  tree,  in  a small  pot. 

Ice-Plant — a plant  of  some  size,  the  leaves  mostly  dead.  I expect 
the  seed  is  shattered  & will  come  up. 

Geranium — 1 think  there  was  a plant  of  this  but  am  not  certain. 

besides  the  above  there  was  a box  containing  many  sods  of  Sweet- 
scented  grass  packed  one  on  another,  & in  the  same  box  a bunch  of 
monthly  raspberry  plants,  which  box  Davy  was  directed  to  carry  to 
Monticello.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Washington  Feb.  8.  09. 

I have  been  daily  expecting  some  of  the  large  hiccory  nuts  from 
Roanoke  which  would  possess  you  of  what  I believe  is  the  same  species 
from  Gloucester,  Kentucky  & Roanoke.  ^ but  they  are  not  yet  arrived. 
I must  now  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  furnish  me  with  the  articles  below 
mentioned  for  the  garden,  which  will  occupy  much  of  my  attention  when 
at  home.  I would  wish  the  roots  etc.  to  be  so  packed  up  as  that  they 
need  not  be  opened  till  they  get  to  Monticello.  if  you  will  be  so  good 
as  to  send  them  by  the  Stage  which  leaves  Philadelphia  on  the  i*S  of 
March,  addressed  to  me  at  this  place,  they  will  come  in  time  for  me  to 
carry  on  to  Monticello.  I will  ask  the  favor  of  the  bill  at  the  same 
time,  the  amount  of  which  shall  be  immediately  remitted  you.  . , . 

Chili  strawberry 
Hudson  strawberry 

some  of  the  fine  gooseberry  plants  of  which  you  sent  me  the  fruit  last 
year. 

some  roots  of  Crown  imperials 

lilium  convallarium 

Auricula 

Sea  kale,  or  Crambe  maritima 

I.  gall",  of  Leadman’s  dwarf  peas  mentioned  in  your  book  page  310. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Diffenderffer.) 

Washington  Feb,  10.  1809. 
I have  seen  in  a Baltimore  paper  an  advertisement  from  you  of  Spring 
rye  for  sale.  _ I did  not  know  that  this  grain  was  to  be  had  in  America, 
and  am  anxious  to  get  a little  for  seed.  I enclose  you  a paper  dollar, 
the  only  small  remittance  1 can  make  in  a letter  and  will  pray  you  to  do 
up  a parcel  in  a bit  of  linen  securely,  of  that  value,  and  addressing  it  to 
me,  send  it  by  the  stage,  for  which  I will  thank  you,  {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 


(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Feb^  13*^*.  1809 
I received  your  favour  of  the  8*.  ins*,  and  such  of  the  articles  or- 
dered as  1 have,  or  can  procure,  shall  be  forwarded  in  due  time,  pro- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


407 


18093 

vided  the  weather,  in  the  interim,  will  admit  of  taking  up  the  plants. 
The  Chile  Strawberry  is  not,  to  my  knowledge,  to  be  procured  in  this 
part  of  the  Union ; but  that  called  the  Hudson  I think  I can  get.  The 
Crown  Imperial  roots,  as  well  as  all  my  hardy  bulbs,  I planted  in  the 
fall,  and  taking  them  up  before  their  bloom  and  subsequent  decay  of 
foliage,  would  ruin  them.  In  July  or  August  I can  furnish  you  with  a 
great  variety. 

The  peas,  sea-kale  seed  (for  plants  I have  none)  with  some  good 
ornamental  flower  seeds,  I will  send  in  good  time,  and  the  others  if  pos- 
sible, but  you  will  oblige  me  by  letting  me  know,  through  what  channel 
I can  send  you  any  articles  after  the  4^’*.  of  March. 

The  nuts  from  Gloucester  which  you  were  so  good  as  to  send  me,  do 
not  appear,  as  far  as  I can  judge  from  the  nut  only,  to  be  of  the  same 
species  with  the  two  you  sent  me  of  the  Kentucky  kind.  I have  planted 
them  and  will  attend  to  the  progress  of  their  vegetation.  I wish  I could 
procure  a few  good  specimens  from  the  Gloucester  trees  when  in  flower, 
for  the  nuts  of  them  appear  to  me  to  be  very  different  from  any  I have 
yet  seen.  Does  this  species  belong  to  the  Walnut  division,  or  is  it  a 
true  Hickory? 

I have  taken  the  liberty  of  enquiring  of  you,  in  a letter  sent  by  my 
friend  Doctor  Lieb,  when  Governor  Lewis  might  be  expected  here ; and 
for  the  reasons  therein  mentioned,  I am  anxious  for  the  information.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Hollins.) 


Washington,  February  19,  1809. 

A little  transaction  of  mine,  as  innocent  a one  as  I ever  entered  into, 
and  where  an  improper  construction  was  never  less  expected,  is  making 
some  noise,  I observe,  in  your  city.  I beg  leave  to  explain  it  to  you,  be- 
cause I mean  to  ask  your  agency  in  it.  The  last  year,  the  Agricultural 
Society  of  Paris,  of  which  I am  a member,  having  had  a plough  presented 
to  them,  which,  on  trial  with  a graduated  instrument,  did  equal  work 
with  half  the  force  of  their  best  ploughs,  they  thought  it  would  be  a 
benefit  to  mankind  to  communicate  it.  They  accordingly  sent  one  to 
me,  with  a view  to  its  being  made  known  here,  and  they  sent  one  to  the 
Duke  of  Bedford  also,  who  is  one  of  their  members,  to  be  made  use  of  in 
England,  although  the  two  nations  were  then  at  war.  By  the  Mentor, 
now  going  to  France,  I have  given  permission  to  two  individuals  in  Dela- 
ware and  New  York,  to  import  two  parcels  of  Merino  sheep  from 
France,  which  they  have  procured  there,  and  to  some  gentlemen  in  Bos- 
ton, to  import  a very  valuable  machine  which  spins  cotton,  wool,  and 
Jax  equally.  The  last  spring,  the  Society  informed  me  they  were  cultw 
vating  cotton  of  the  Levant  and  other  parts  of  the  Mediterranean,  and 
wished  to  try  also  that  of  our  southern  States.  I immediately  got  a 
friend  to  have  two  tierces  of  seed  forwarded  to  me.  They  were  con- 
signed to  Messrs.  Falls  and  Brown  of  Baltimore,  and  notice  of  it  being 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


408 


[1809 


given  me,  I immediately  wrote  to  them  to  re-ship  them  to  New  York,  to 
be  sent  by  the  Mentor.  Their  first  object  was  to  make  a show  of  my 
letter,  as  something  very  criminal,  and  to  carry  the  subject  into  the  news- 
papers. I had,  on  a like  request,  some  time  ago,  (but  before  the  em- 
bargo,) from  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture  of  London,  of 
which  I am  also  a member,  to  send  them  some  of  the  genuine  May  wheat 
of  Virginia,  forwarded  to  them  two  or  three  barrds  of  it.  General 
Washington,  in  his  time,  received  from  the  same  Society  the  seed  of  the 
perennid  succory,  which  Arthur  Young  had  carried  over  from  France  to 
England,  and  I have  since  received  from  a member  of  it  the  seed  of  the 
famous  turnip  of  Sweden,  now  so  well  known  here.  I mention  these 
things,  to  show  the  nature  of  the  correspondence  which  is  carried  on  be- 
tween societies  instituted  for  the  benevolent  purpose  of  communicating 
to  all  parts  of  the  world  whatever  useful  is  discovered  by  any  one  of 
them.  These  societies  are  always  in  peace,  however  their  nations  may 
be  at  war.  Like  the  republic  of  letters,  they  form  a great  fraternity 
spreading  over  the  whole  earth,  and  their  correspondence  is  never  inter- 
rupted by  any  civilized  nation.  Vaccination  has  been  a late  and  remark- 
able instance  of  the  liberal  diffusion  of  a blessing  newly  discovered.  It 
is  really  painful,  it  is  mortifying,  to  be  obliged  to  note  these  things, 
which  are  known  to  every  one  who  knows  anything,  and  felt  with  ap- 
probation by  every  one  who  has  any  feeling.  But  we  have  a faction,  to 
whose  hostile  passions  the  torture  even  of  right  into  wrong  is  a delicious 
gratification.  Their  malice  I have  long  learned  to  disregard,  their 
censure  to  deem  praise.  But  I observe  that  some  republicans  are  not 
satisfied  (even  when  we  are  receiving  liberally  from  others)  that  this 
small  return  should  be  made.  They  will  think  more  justly  at  another 
day;  but,  in  the  meantime,  I wish  to  avoid  offence.  My  prayer  to  you, 
therefore,  is,  that  you  will  be  so  good,  under  the  enclosed  order,  as  to 
receive  these  two  tierces  of  seed  from  Falls  and  Brown,  and  pay  them 
their  disbursements  for  freight,  etc.,  which  I will  immediately  remit  you 
on  knowing  the  amount.  Of  the  seed,  when  received,  be  so  good  as  to 
make  manure  for  your  garden.  When  rotted  with  a due  amount  of 
stable  rnanure  or  earth,  it  is  the  best  in  the  world.  I rely  on  your 
friendship  to  excuse  this  trouble,  it  being  necessary  I should  not  conunit 
mysdf  again  to  persons  of  whose  honor,  or  the  want  of  it,  I know 
nothing. 

Accept  the  assurances  of  my  constant  esteem  and  respect.  (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  la:  252-254.)  (See  also  letter,  Williamson  & 
Cowling  to  Jefferson,  January  25,  i8og.) 


(Jefferson  to  Dr,  James  W.  Wallace.) 

Washington  Feb.  28.  09, 

You  were  so  kind  as  to  procure  for  me  a pair  of  wild  geese  & a pair 
of  Summer  ducks,  & to  say  you  could  give  me  some  plants,  to  wit 
Balsam  Poplar  tree,  Sunbriar,  mammom  apple  etc,  . . , {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


409 


1809] 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Feb^  28“.  1809 

I have  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  by  the  mail  stage  a collection  of 
Flower  seeds,  some  Early  York  & Sugarleaf  Cabbage,  red  Celery,  Long 
French  Turnep  (Navet  de  Freneuse)  so  much  and  I think  so  justly 
admired,  for  its  flavour,  in  France;  together  with  8 Quarts  of  Lead- 
man’s  Dwarf  peas;  they  are  contained  in  a small  box  addressed  to  you, 
and  will  reach  you  at  the  same  time  of  this  letter. 


Price  of  the  8 Quarts  peas $4.00 

Paid  freight  at  the  Stage  oflice 50 


$4.50 

Our  ground  being  yet  covered  with  snow  and  bound  by  the  frost,  renders 
it  impossible  to  get  the  Strawberry  or  Gooseberry  plants  up ; but,  as  soon 
as  possible,  I shall  send  them,  addressed  to  any  place  and  person  that 
you  will  please  to  point  out  to  me.  I herewith  enclose  you  one  of  my 
catalogues,  and  shall  be  happy  to  supply  you  with  any  articles  therein 
mentioned,  and  in  my  power  to  furnish  at  the  time.  . , . (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Baron  Alexander  von  Humboldt.) 

Washington,  March  6,  1809. 

. . . You  have  wisely  located  yourself  in  the  focus  of  the  science  of 
Europe.  I am  held  by  the  cords  of  love  to  my  family  and  country,  or  I 
should  certainly  join  you.  Within  a few  days  I shall  bury  myself  in 
the  groves  of  Monticello,  and  become  a mere  spectator  of  the  passing 
events.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  la:  263.) 

(Mr.  Threlkeld  to  Jefferson.) 

Wednesday  Mar.  8,  1809. 

Mr.  Threlkeld  sends  Mr.  Jefferson  three  English  mulbenys,  an 
American  ones,  & flve  Peach  apricots  he  recommends  great  attention  to 
be  paid  by  the  waggoner  to  them  as  the  shoots  are  but  small  in  some,  & 
may  tear  off.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  Mar,  25.  09. 

. , . We  are  entirely  unable  to  get  cotton  seed  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  rof  Bacon  at  my  request  wrote  to  you  for  some,  if  you  have 
or  can  procure  it,  it  will  be  rendering  me  a great  service.  , . . (Jeffer- 
son Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


410 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


[1809 


(Philip  Tabb  to  Jefferson.) 

Toddsburg  7th  April  1809 

Having  just  learnt  from  Captn  Decatur  who  dfelivered  a mole  board 
I did  myself  the  pleasure  to  send  to  you  at  Washington,  that  you  had 
not  received  my  letter  pr  post  which  left  Gloster  Ct.  House  about  the 
20  th  of  Jany  last— & which  I expect  was  destroyed  by  a villainous 
rider  who  we  now  know  was  in  the  habit  of  robing  the  mail  about  that 
time,  I trouble  you  with  the  copy,  not  willing  that  the  appearance  of 
neglect  should  pertain  to  one  who  will  always  feel  himself  honored  by 
an  oppy  of  rendering  you  any  services  in  his  power.  . . . 

(Copy  of  the  letter  of  January.) 

I am  sorry  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  send  you  as  many  of  the  large 
hickory  nuts  of  this  country  as  you  wished  to  plant,  very  few  of  the  best 
trees  are  now  left  & they  produced  less  than  usual  the  last  year  & were 
soon  consumed  five  only  were  left  by  accident  which  I now  forward.  I 
have  not  been  altogether  inattentive  to  those  nuts  since  apart  of  the 
lands  producing  them  have  been  in  my  possession — I have  planted  some 
of  the  largest  and  best  which  are  growing  vigorously  & I have  little 
doubt  but  the  trees  raised  properly  from  the  nut  will  be  more  produc- 
tive than  those  which  grow  in  the  woods,  for  on  clearing  the  lands  & 
exposing  them  suddenly  after  the  tree  has  matured  they  become  sickly 
& unproductive — 

Having  succeeded  in  getting  moleboards  cast  in  Fensylvania  agreeable 
to  a pattern  which  I shewed  Mrs.  ( ?)  Thomas  M.  Randolph  at  Rich- 
mond sometimes  since  (&  where  the  manager  of  the  furnace  failed  in  the 
attempt)  I do  myself  the  pleasure  to  present  one  of  them  to  you,  & have 
requested  one  of  my  sons  who  resides  in  Norfolk  to  forward  it  to  Wash- 
ington, they  operate  hansomeiy  in  our  lands,  much  superior  to  any 
thing  1 have  seen,  after  the  board  gets  smooth  but  it  requires  some  at- 
tention to  get  of  the  rough  scale  on  the  operating  part  of  the  board.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers j Missouri  Historical  Society.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farnoington  Apr.  22,  1809. 

I send  you  some  parsnep  seed  which  I think  had  better  be  sow’d  pretty 
thick,  they  do  not  look  very  well  and  can  easily  be  thin’ed  if  they  come 
up  better  than  I expect.  I sow  200  feet  each  of  parsnip  and  beet. 
320  feet  each  salsafy  and  carrots  and  400  feet  cellery,  all  running  meas- 
ure in  the  rows,  which  is  a very  ample  provision  for  my  table  and  indeed 
more  than  sufficient.  The  sm^l  seed  should  be  sown  in  drills  18  inches 
apart  in  the  row.  I send  you  a few  of  the  early  black  eyed  pea  which 
you  brought  from  France  and  can  furnish  you  with  some  of  the  cow 
pea,  and  a large  gray  pea  of  the  Crouder  kind,  which  think  very  good 
one  for  the  table,  but  fear  I shall  not  be  able  to  supply  you  with  seed 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1809] 


4II 


potatoes  they  having  been  few  away  to  my  sheep  nearer  than  I intended. 

. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Etienne  Le  Maire.) 

Monticello  Apr.  25.  09. 

...  my  birds  arrived  here  in  safety,  & are  the  delight  of  every  hour. 
...  I am  constantly  in  my  garden  or  farms,  as  exclusively  employed 
out  of  doors  as  I was  within  doors  when  at  Washington,  and  I ^d 
myself  infinitely  happier  in  my  new  mode  of  life.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  April  27,  1809. 

. . . Our  spring  continues  cold  and  backward,  rarely  one  growing 
day  without  two  or  three  cold  ones  following.  Wheat  is  of  very  various 
complexions  from  very  good  to  very  bad.  Fruit  has  not  suffered  as  much 
as  was  expected,  except  in  peculiar  situations.  Gardens  are  nearly  a 
month  behind  their  usual  state.  I thank  you  for  the  squashes  from 
Maine;  they  shall  be  planted  today.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jeffer- 
son 12 : 277.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jefferson  Randolph.) 

Monticello  May  6,  ’09. 

...  in  what  you  say  respecting  the  preservation  of  plants  I suppose 
you  allude  to  mr  Crownin^ield’s  speciments  which  I showed  you,  but 
I could  not  have  promised  to  give  you  his  method  because  I did  not 
know  it  myself,  all  I know  was  from  Gen‘.  Dearborne,  who  told  me 
that  mf  Crowninshield’s  method  was,  by  extreme  pressure  (with  a 
screw  or  weight)  on  the  substance  of  the  plants,  but  that  he  could  never 
make  it  adhere  to  the  paper  until  he  used  garlick  juice  either  alone  or  in 
composition  with  something  else.  ...  1 must  also  pray  you  to  get  for 
me  a gross  of  vial*corks  of  different  sizes,  & 4 dozen  phials  of  i.  a.  3 & 4 
ounces,  one  dozen  of  each  size.  The  largest  mouthed  would  be  the  best 
as  they  are  for  holding  garden  seeds.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Hamilton.) 

Monticello  May  7,  09. 

...  I have  pressed  upon  him  also  [Jefferson  Randolph]  to  study  well 
the  style  of  your  pleasure  grounds,  as  the  chastest  mc^el  of  gardening 
which  I have  ever  seen  out  of  England.  ...  I am  the  more  tempted  to 
recommend  them  [Warm  Springs  for  gout]  to  you,  as  it  would  lead  you 
near  this  place  where  I should  be  very  happy  to  see  you  & to  take  from 
you  some  of  those  lessons  for  the  improvement  of  my  grounds  which 
you  have  so  happily  practiced  on  your  own.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 


412 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1809 


(Jefferson  to  Horatio  G.  Spafford.) 

Monticello,  May  14,  1809. 

...  In  page  186  [General  Geography,  by  Spailord,]  you  say  the 
potato  is  a native  of  the  United  States.  I presume  you  speak  of  the 
Irish  potato.  I have  inquired  much  into  the  question,  and  think  I can 
assure  you  that  plant  is  not  a native  of  North  America.  Zimmerman, 
in  his  “Geographical  Zoology”,  says  it  is  a native  of  Guiana ; and  Clavi- 
gero,  that  the  Mexicans  got  it  from  South  America,  its  native  country. 
The  most  probable  account  I have  been  able  to  collect  is,  that  a vessel  of 
Sir  Walter  Raleigh’s,  returning  from  Guiana,  put  into  the  west  of 
Ireland  in  distress,  having  on  board  some  potatoes  which  they  called 
earth-apples.  That  the  season  of  the  year,  and  circumstance  of  their 
being  dready  sprouted,  induced  them  to  give  them  all  out  there,  and 
they  were^  no  more  heard  or  thought  of,  till  they  had  been  spread  con- 
siderably into  that  island,  whence  they  were  carried  over  into  England, 
and^  therefore  called  the  Irish  potato.  From  England  they  came  to  the 
United  States,  bringing  their  name  with  them.  ...  I shall  be  happy  to 
see  you  at  MonticeUo,  should  you  come  this  way  as  you  propose.  You 
will  find  me  engaged  entirely  in  rural  occupations,  looking  into  the  field 
of  science  but  occasionally  and  at  vacant  moments. 

I sowed  some  of  the  Benni  seed  the  last  year,  and  distributed  some 
among  my  neighbors ; but  the  whole  was  killed  by  the  September  frost. 
I got  a little  again- the  last  winter,  but  it  was  sowed  before  I received 
your  letter.  Colonel  Few  of  New  York  receives  quantities  of  it  from 
Georgia,  from  whom  you  may  probably  get  some  through  die  Mayor  of 
New  York.  But  I little  expect  that  it  can  succeed  with  you.  It  is 
about  M hardy  as  the  cotton  plant,  from  which  you  may  judge  of  the 
probability  of  raising  it  at  Hudson.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Berg^,  Jeifer- 
son  12 ; 278-282.) 

(Jefferson  to  Philip  Tabb.) 

MonticeUo,  June  i,  ’09. 

Your  favor  of  Apr.  7 has  been  duly  received,  with  the  copy  of  that  of 
“January,  on  reading  the  first  paragraph  of  it  respecting  the  nuts,  I was 
confidrat  I had  received  it,  as  I had  forwarded  the  nuts  on  to  a friend 
in  Philadelphia,  on  searching  my  letter  bundles,  I accordingly  found 
mat  of  January  received  on  the  ayth  of  that  month,  yet  when  Capt. 
Decatur  sent  me  the  mould  board,  the  part  of  your  letter  respecting  that 
had  as  entirely  escaped  me  as  if  I had  never  seen  it.  indeed  I had  found 
occasions^  thst  for  the  iininence  mass  of  matter  which  I wds  in 
me  of  receiving,  the  memory  was  quite  an  insufficient  storehouse. 
I thwk  you  for  the  mould  board,  its  form  promises  well,  & I have  no 
dotAt  of  its  good  performance,  it  resembles  extremely  one  which  I 
made  about  20  years  ago  which  has  been  much  approved  by  the  agricul- 
turm  societies  of  England  and  France,  the  latter  of  which  sent  me  a gold 
medal  as  a premium.  The  form  as  I observed  is  very  much  that  of 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


413 


1809] 

yours,  with  the  advantage  of  being  made  by  so  easy  a rule,  that  the 
coarsest  negro  workman  can  do  it.  I cannot  possibly  make  it  a hair's 
breath  different  from  the  true  form,  if  I can  find  a conveyance,  I will 
send  you  a small  model  with  its  block  which  will  shew  you  at  once  how 
to  make  it.  A description  of  it  may  be  found  in  Maese’s  edition  of 
Reese’s  domestic  encyclopedia,  in  agriculture  I am  only  an  amateur, 
having  only  that  knolege  which  may  be  got  from  books,  in  the  field  I 
am  entirely  ignorant,  & am  now  too  old  to  learn.  Still  it  amuses  my 
hours  of  exercise,  & tempts  to  the  taking  due  exercise.  . . . {Glimpses 
of  the  Past,  Missouri  3:  108-109.) 

(Jefiferson  to  Wilson  C.  Nicholas.) 

Monticello,  June  13,  1809. 

. . . We  have  been  seasonable  since  you  left  us.  Yesterday  evening 
and  this  morning  we  have  had  refr«hing  showers,  which  will  close  and 
confirm  the  business  of  planting.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson 
13 ; 290-291.) 

(Jefierson  to  Henry  Dearborn.) 

Monticello,  June  14,  1809. 

So  entirely  are  my  habits  changed  from  constant  labor  at  my  writing 
table,  to  constant  active  occupation  without  doors,  that  it  is  with  diffi- 
culty 1 can  resolve  to  take  up  my  pen.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson 12 : 291.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  June  16,  09. 

. . . For  the  last  three  days  we  have  had  fine  & plentiful  showers  of 
rain,  & were  willing  they  should  cease  as  appearances  promised  last  night, 
but  it  commenced  raining  in  the  night  & now  continues  with  the  wind 
at  northeast.  This  may  become  dangerous  to  the  wheat  which  at  best 
can  only  be  a middling  crop.  That  of  tobacco  cannot  become  great  if 
the  observation  of  the  planters  is  correct  that  there  never  was  a great 
crop  of  tobacco  which  was  not  patched  before  the  last  of  May,  This 
year  not  a plant  was  in  the  ground  till  June;  but  the  rains  have  been  so 
favorable  since  that  the  whole  crop  is  now  standing  & growing.  . . . 
(Ford,  Jefferson  ix:  113-114.) 

(Jefferson  to  Samuel  H.  Smith.) 

Monticello  Aug.  3.  1809. 

[After  expressing  the  hope  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  would  visit  him 
again,  Jefferson  wrote:]  and  that  I may  be  able  to  shew  mrs  Smith 
who  is  fond  of  gardening,  the  progress  I shall  have  made  the  next  year 
in  the  improvement  of  the  grounds  around  me,  as  well  those  of  pleasure 
as  utility.  . . , {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


414 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1809 


(Jefferson  to  Mess".  Jones  & Howell.) 

Monticello  Aug.  10.  09. 

It  is  with  real  mortification  that,  instead  of  a remittance  for  the  last 
supply  of  rod  & iron,  now  due,  I am  obliged  to  send  you  this  letter,  yet 
my  feelings  on  the  failure  will  not  permit  me  to  be  merely  silent.  I have 
now  been  for  13.  or  14.  years  a customer  of  your  house  Sc  of  it’s  prede- 
cessors, and  have  never  failed  beyond  a few  days  over  the  term  of  re- 
mittance, except  on  one  occasion,  I believe,  where  it  had  escaped  atten- 
tion. my  income  is  mainly  from  the  produce  or  the  rents  of  tobacco  Sc 
wheat  farms,  knowing  that  this  came  in  but  once  a year,  and  owning 
a mill  rented  at  1200.  D.  a year,  I reserved,  when  I leased  it,  quarterly 
paiments  of  the  rent  with  the  single  view  of  meeting  therewith  your 
quarterly  supplies  of  rod.  I had  not  pressed  my  tenant  for  two  years 
past,  not  then  wanting  the  money;  but  did  so  when  I desired  your  last 
supply,  he  made  me  fair  promises,  which  I did  not  expect  he  would 
fail  in,  till  within  these  few  da)rs.  he  still  renews  his  promises,  but  I 
cannot  be  certain  that  they  are  better  than  those  he  has  broken,  we 
have  no  banks  here  to  relieve  disappointments.  Sc  little  money  circulation, 
all  is  barter,  my  nails  have  never  commanded  money,  even  the  mer- 
chants, if  cash  were  demanded,  would  prefer  importing  them,  because 
they  would  then  make  paiment  by  remittances  of  produce,  under  these 
circumstances  I am  obliged  to  throw  myself  on  your  indulgence,  with 
the  assurance  it  shall  never  be  wilfully  abused.  I am  endeavoring  to 
get  rid  of  my  present  mill-tenant,  in  order  to  place  that  under  arrange- 
ments which  may  ensure  my  paiments  to  you.  I have  no  other  resource 
but  agriculture,  & that  can  supply  deficiencies  but  once  a year,  you 
must  be  so  good  as  to  indemnify  yourselves  by  charging  interest  whenever 
I fail,  for  this  may  not  be  the  only  instance  under  present  circumstances, 
formerly  while  1 had  this  business  under  my  own  direction,  it  was  very 
profitable,  in  as  much  as  it  employed  boys,  not  otherwise  useful,  during 
ifiy  absence  it  has  not  been  so,  but  has  been  continued  merely  to  preserve 
the  custom.  I think  to  try  it  for  a year  or  two,  in  my  own  hands,  Sc  if 
I find  it  is  become  unprofitable  from  causes  which  cannot  be  remedied  I 
shall  abandon  it.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  Vaughan.) 

Monticello  Aug.  31.  09. 

. . . P.  S.  Can  you  inform  me  whether  the  instrument  called  the 
Distiller’s  sj^hon  is  to  be  had  in  Philadelphia,  and  what  one  sufficient  to 
work  in  a cistern  [Jefferson  was  then  building  his  four  cisterns]  of  S. 
feet  cube  would  cost?  I believe  they  are  usually  made  of  tin.  . , . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.)  (See  appendix  II.) 

(Judge  William  Johnson  to  Jefferson.) 

Charleston,  Sept.  30,  1809, 
Judge  Johnson  having  heard  Mr.  Jefferson  express  his  admiration  of 
the  Popinaqve,  avails  himself  of  the  opportunity  of  Mr.  Mitch^’s  visit 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


415 


1809] 

to  Monticello  to  transmit  one  of  the  Pods  of  that  delicate  little  Acacia. 
The  seeds  may  be  put  in  the  ground  immediately  about  an  inch  deep  but 
possibly  they  may  not  sprout  till  spring.  The  tree  blossoms  so  late  and 
is  so  wholly  inacapable  of  withstanding  the  Frost  that  it  is  very  seldom 
we  are  able  to  procure  the  seed.  In  the  same  packet,  Mr.  Jefferson  will 
find  a few  seeds  of  the  Grass  which  in  Georgia  is  called  Egyptian  & the 
Benn^.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Quarles.) 

Monticello  Oct.  4.  ’09. 

. . . My  mill  has  been  established  52  years  and  although  carried 
away  in  the  meantime,  & very  long  in  the  rebuilding,  yet  the  right  was 
always  kept  up  by  constant  renewals  of  the  order  of  courts.  . . . (Jef- 
ferson Papers.  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  General  John  Smith.) 


Monticello,  Oct.  6,  ’09. 

I am  desirous  of  sowing  largely  the  next  spring  a kind  of  grass  called 
Tall  Meadow  oat,  or  Oat-grass,  and  sometimes,  erroneously  Peruvian 
grass,  which  I am  told  is  much  cultivated  about  Winchester,  but  cannot 
be  had  here.  I have  ilatered  myself  I would  so  far  make  free  with  your 
friendship  as  to  ask  you  to  procure  for  me  about  a couple  of  bushels  to 
be  put  into  a tight  barrel  & forwarded  to  Staunton  to  the  care  of  Judge 
Stewart.  ...  I wish  it  to  be  of  this  year’s  seed,  as  I found  it  would  not 
come  up  the  second  year,  on  a trial  of  some  procured  for  me  by  Mr. 
Nourse  which  arrived  too  late  in  the  first  spring  to  be  sowed.  ...  if 
you  have  cultivated  it,  I should  thank  you  for  any  instructions  your  ex- 
perience may  enable  you  to  give,  as  to  the  soils  it  will  delight  in,  or  do 
in,  the  sowing  & the  care  of  it,  the  produce  etc.  for  I am  much  a stranger 
to  it  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  Missouri  Historical  Society.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Adlum.) 

Monticello  Oct  7.  09. 

...  I think  it  would  be  well  to  pu^  the  culture  of  that  grape  [Fox 
Grape],  without  losing  our  time  & efforts  in  search  of  foreign  vines, 
which  it  will  take  centuries  to  adapt  to  our  soil  & climate,  the  object  of 
the  present  letter  is  so  far  to  trespass  on  your  kindness,  & your  disposition 
to  promote  a culture  so  useful,  as  to  request  you  at  the  proper  season  to 
send  some  cuttings  of  that  vine,  diey  should  be  taken  off  in  Feb- 
ruary, with  5 buds  to  each  cutting,  and  if  done  up  first  in  strong  linen  & 
then  covered  with  paper  St  addressed  to  me  at  Monticello  near  Milton, 
and  committed  to  the  post,  they  will  come  safely  & so  speedily  as  to  render 
their  success  probable.  Fraying  your  pardon  to  a brother-amateur  in 
these  things.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


416 


[1809 


(JefiEerson  to  Governor  John  Milledge.) 

Monticello  Oct.  10.  1809 

I have  received  from  M.  Thouin,  Director  of  the  National  garden  of 
France,  a collection  of  many  different  species  of  rice,  whether  any  of 
them  possess,  any  properties  which  might  render  them  preferable  to  those 
we  possess,  either  generally  or  under  particular  circumstances  of  soil  or 
climate  I know  not.  but  the  scripture  precept  of  ‘prove  all  things  & 
hold  fast  that  which  is  good’  is  peculiarly  wise  in  objects  of  agriculture. 
(Jefferson  Papers j L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  H.  Latrobe.) 

Monticello  Oct.  10.  09. 

. . . Your  promised  visit  to  Monticello,  whenever  it  can  be  effected, 
will  give  me  real  pleasure,  and  1 think  could  not  fail  of  giving  some  to 
you.  my  essay  in  Architecture  [house  at  Monticello^  has  been  so  much 
subordinated  to  the  law  of  convenience,  & affected  ^so  by  the  circum- 
stance of  change  in  the  original  design,  that  it  is  liable  to  some  unfavor- 
able & just  criticisms,  but  what  nature  has  done  for  us  is  sublime  & 
beautiful  and  unique.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  William  Thornton.) 

Monticello  Oct.  li.  1809. 

. . . The  tarragon  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me  is  now  growing 
with  the  former  bunch,  but  so  extraordinary  has  been  our  drought  that 
no  efforts  could  save  the  figs.  I think,  in  the  spring,  I must  ask  a few 
very  small  plants  or  cuttings  to  be  done  up  in  strong  paper  & addressed 
to  me  by  post.  I will  take  some  occasion  of  sending  you  some  cuttings 
of  the  Marseilles  fig,  which  I brought  from  France  with  me,  & is  in- 
comparably superior  to  any  fig  I have  ever  seen.  (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.C.) 

(Thomas  Lomax  to  Jefferson.) 

Port  Tobaco,  Oct.  3b“*  1809. 

By  the  carriage,  which  I now  send  up  for  my  Daughter,  you  will  re- 
ceive some  filbert  cions,  and  Nuts,  as  well  as  the  Juboli,  and  Acacia  the 
latter  1 have  been  obliged  to  lay  in  a flat  Box,  as  the  weight  of  those, 
out  of  which  they  were  taken,  I was  afraid  would  be  too  heavy,  and 
dangerous  to  be  put  into  the  Carriage.  They  will  1 hope  reach  you  in 
safety,  to  be  placed  in  other  Boxes.  The  Nuts,  if  you  chuse  to  plant 
any  of  them,  it  ought  to  be  done  immediately]  but  I am  doubtful  whether 
they  will  Vegitate;  as  I always  after  they  are  put  into  Bags,  expose  them 
very  much  to  the  heat  of  the  Sun;  but  you  can  try  them,  and  should 
they  come  up  in  the  Spring,  they  should,  as  well  as  the  young  trees,  be 
watered  whenever  the  weather  biscomes  dry.  The  trees  I think  you  had 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


417 


1809] 

better  set  at  20  feet  asunder;  as  mine  are  only  fifteen,  which  I discover 
to  be  too  near  each  other.  I have  also  sent  some  of  the  Star-Jasmine, 
and  a beautiful  flowering  shrub  which  I took  from  the  Woods,  and  not 
knowing  its  real  name,  have  given  it  that,  of  modesty,  from  its  handsome 
delicate  appearance,  a quality  which  will  disgrace  no  Garden.  If  you 
have  any  of  the  Paccan  nut  that  you  can  conveniently  spare,  I will  thank 
you  for  some  by  the  return  of  the  Carriage ; as  I expect  they  can  now  be 
moved  with  safety.  . . . T.  L.  requests  some  of  Mr.  Jefferson’s  fine 
Lima-Beans,  if  he  has  any  to  spare.  The  Silk-Tree  is  very  flourishing. 
There  is  an  Orange  and  Lime  Tree  sent,  the  Orange  has  the  broadest 
Leaf.  (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence;  186-187.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Lomax.) 

Monticello,  Nov.  6,  ’09. 

Your  carriage  arrived  here  Jast  night  only,  having  been  detained  some 
days  at  Edgehill  by  the  late  rains  and  consequent  rise  of  the  river,  all 
the  donations  which  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  charge  on  it  have  ar- 
rived in  perfect  order,  and  being  to  set  out  tomorrow  for  Bedford,  this 
day  will  he  employed  in  setting  out  the  plants,  by  the  return  of  the 
carriage  I shall  send  you  three  or  four  Paccans  and  some  Lima  beans. 
I propose  to  make  me  a large  orchard  of  Paccan  and  Roanoke  and  Mis- 
souri scaly  barks  which  I possess,  and  of  Gloucester  and  common  scaly 
barks  of  which  I shall  plant  the  nuts,  to  these  I shall  add  the  sugar 
maple  if  I can  procure  it.  I do  not  see  why  we  may  not  have  our  sugar 
orchards  as  well  as  our  cyder  orchards.  . . , (Ford,  Jefferson  Corre- 
spondence: 190.) 

(Jefferson  to  Judge  William  Fleming.) 

Monticello  Nov.  28.  ’09. 

I have  received  safely  the  extraordinary  rattle  of  the  rattle  snake,  as 
also  the  foliage  of  the  .Alleghany  Martagon.  a plant  of  so  much  beauty 
& fragrance  will  be  a valuable  addition  to  our  flower  gardens,  should 
you  find  your  roots  of  it  I shall  be  very  thankful  to  participate  of  them, 
& will  carefully  return  you  a new  stock  should  my  part  succeed  & yours 
fail.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Dec',  24**',  1809 

With  many  thanks  I acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  fine  collection  of 
seeds  you  were  pleased  to  send  me  some  time  ago,  and  would  have  done 
this  much  sooner,  were  I not  in  daily  expectation  of  receiving  from  Lon- 
don a variety  of  esculent  vegetable  seeds,  that  I wished  to  send  you  some 
of,  at  the  same  time.  Having  received  them  by  the  Ship  Coramandal 
which  arrived  here  a few  days  ago,  I do  myself  the  pleasure  of  sending 
you  by  the  same  mail  that  conveys  this  letter,  some  early  cabbage  & 


4i8  Jepfbrson’s  Garden  Book  [1809 

cauliflower  seeds  &c,  and  shall  send  you  by  subsequent  mails  several 
other  seeds  for  your  spring  sowing. 

I am  extremely  sorry  for  the  death  of  that  worthy  and  valuable  man 
Gov'.  Lewis,  and  the  more  so,  for  the  manner  of  it.  I have,  I believe, 
all  his  collection  of  dried  specimens  of  plants,  procured  during  his  jour- 
ney to  the  pacific  ocean,  and  several  kinds  of  new  living  plants,  which  I 
raised  from  the  seeds  of  his  collecting,  which  you  and  himself  were 
pleased  to  give  me.  In  consequence  of  a hint,  to  that  effect,  given  me 
by  Gov'.  Lewis  on  his  leaving  this  City,  I never  yet  parted  with  any  of 
his  plants  raised  from  his  seeds,  nor  with  a single  seed  the  produce  of 
either  of  them,  for  fear  they  should  make  their  way  into  the  hands  of 
any  Botanist,  either  in  America,  or  Europe,  who  might  rob  M'.  Lewis 
of  the  right  he  had  to  first  describe  and  name  his  own  discoveries,  in  his 
intended  publication ; and  indeed  I had  strong  reasons  to  believe  that  this 

opportunity  was  coveted  by which  made  me  still  more 

careful  of  his  plants. 

On  Governor  Lewis’s  departure  from  here,  for  the  seat  of  his  Gov- 
ernment, he  requested  me  to  employ  M'.  Frederick  Pursh,  on  his  return 
from  a collecting  excursion  he  was  then  about  to  undertake  for  Doctor 
Barton  to  describe  and  make  drawings  of  such  of  his  collection  as  would 
appear  to  be  new  plants,  and  that  himself  would  return  to  Philadelphia 
in  the  month  of  May  fallowing.  About  the  first  of  the  ensuing  Nov'. 
M'.  Punh  returned,  took  up  his  abode  with  me,  began  the  work,  pro- 
gressed as  far  as  he  could  without  further  explanation,  in  some  cases, 
from  M'.  Lewis,  and  was  detained  by  me,  in  expectation  of  M'.  Lewis’s 
arrival  at  my  expense,  without  the  least  expectation  of  any  future  re- 
muneration, from  that  time  till  April  last;  when  not  having  received 
any  reply  to  several  letters  I had  written  from  time  to  time,  to  Gov'. 
Lewis  on  the  subject,  nor  being  able  to  obtain  any  information  when  he 
probably  might  be  expected  here;  I thought  it  a folly  to  keep  Pursh 
longer  idle,  and  recommended  him  as  Gardener  to  Doctor  Hosack  of 
New  York,  with  whom  he  has  since  lived. 

The  original  specimens  are  all  in  my  hands,  but  M'.  Pursh,  had  taken 
his  drawings  and  descriptions  with  him,  and  will,  no  doubt,  on  the  de- 
livery of  them  expect  a reasonable  compensation  for  his  trouble. 

As  it  appears  to  me  probable  that  you  will  interest  yourself  in  having 
the  discoveries  of  M'.  Lewis  published,  I think  it  a duty  incumbent  on 
me,  to  give  you  [illegible]  preceding  information,  and  to  ask  your  ad- 
vice as  to  the  propriety  of  still  keeping  the  living  plants  I have,  from 
getting  into  other  hands  who  would  gladly  describe  and  publish  them 
without  doing  due  honor  to  the  memory  and  merit  of  the  worthy  dis- 
coverer. . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Anne  (Randolph)  Bankhead.) 

Monticello,  Dec.  39th,  1809. 

Your  mamma  has  given  me  a letter  to  inclose  to  you,  but  whether  it 
contains  any  thing  contraband  1 know  not.  Of  that  the  responsibility 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


419 


1809] 

must  be  on  her ; I therefore  inclose  it  I suppose  she  gives  you  all  the 
small  news  of  the  place — such  as  the  race  in  writing  between  Virginia 
and  Francis,  that  the  wild  geese  are  well  after  a flight  of  a mile  and  a 
half  into  the  river,  that  the  plants  in  the  green-house  prosper,  etc.,  etc. 
A propos  of  plants,  make  a thousand  acknowledgments  to  Mrs.  Bank- 
head  for  the  favor  proposed  of  the  Cape  jessamine.  It  will  be  cherished 
with  all  the  possible  attentions ; and  in  return  proffer  her  calycanthuses, 
pecans,  silk-trees,  Canada  martagons,  or  anything  else  we  have.  . . . 
What  is  to  become  of  our  flowers  ? I left  them  so  entirely  to  yourself, 
that  I never  knew  any  thing  about  them,  what  they  are,  where  they 
grow,  what  is  to  be  done  for  them.  You  must  really  malm  out  a book 
of  instructions  for  Ellen,  who  has  fewer  cares  in  her  head  than  I have. 
Every  thing  shall  be  furnished  on  my  part  at  her  call.  . . . (Randolph, 
Jefferson:  330-33I-) 

From  the  Account  Book  i8og-i82o: 

Feb.  1.  Theophilus  Holt  garden  seeds  31.36. 

Feb.  TO.  inclosed  to  Baltimore  for  Spring  rye  1.  D. 

[see  letter  of  Jefferson  to  John  DiffenderfEer,  February  10.] 
Mar.  31.  gave  to  Tho‘.  J.  Randolph  50.  D.  for  his  expenses  to  Phila- 
delphia, out  of  which  he  is  to  pay  2.  D.  to  J.  Taggert  whose 
bill  is  72.  D.  and  6.50  to  McMahon  for  seeds. 

April  9.  paid  for  a plough  2.  D. 

Dec.  4.  Paid  Price  for  6 geese  2.50  (owe  him  for  I2.  muscovy 
ducks.) 


i8io.^ 


i8io 


Mar.  17.  — 20.  planted  in  the  orchard  as  follows 


a — 1.2  + I. 

b.  — 1,2  + I 

c.  — I.  + I 

d.  — 1.2 


10.  Italian  peaches  from  Mazzei.  ante 
pa.  30.  Maddelena.  poppe  de  Venere. 
melon  peaches  & vaga  loggia 


from  Threl- 
keld.“ 


General  Arrangem‘. 
of  the  Nursery 
almonds 
apples 
apricots 
cherries 


Terras,  i. 
2. 

3- 

4- 


d.  3.4.6.7.8.  Nectarines  from 
the  Nursery, 
g.  28.29.39.  Peach 
Apricots 
38.42.43.  Bor- 
deaux Apricots 

37-39.43^.  j 

f.29.4f.i3  .Jf^°"’T.  Lomax. 

d.  — 3 

f.  1.2.3. 

g.  — 1.2.3.  + 15.6.8. 

h.  27.30.33.35.38.43. 

i.  28.29.35.37.38.39. 

40.41.42. 

j.  30.38. 

k.  — 1.2.  + 2.4.5.7.8. 

9.14.18.19.21.26.30. 

36. 

n.  9.  0.9  p.9 

~2.  + 2.3.  Spitzenburg  apple  trees  from  mf  Divers.* 
New  Nursery  * Mar.  21, 


46.  select 
peaches 
from  the 
Nursery. 


5.  nuts 
«;}p=achc 

8.  pears 

9.  plumbs 

’'^’l-Miscellan* 

etcj 


400 


Plate  XXXI.— Page  40  of  the  original  Garim  Book.  Note  the  artangement  of 
the  nutaery. 


■sXXJLIL — Jefiferson’e  plan  of  the  orchard  and  garden,  about  i8ll.  Note  the  location  of  the  nursery,  Bailey’s  alley,  garden 
JeSerson’s  scheme  for  location  of  fruit  trees.  Q^mon  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


i8io] 


421 


Terras.  i“.  i.toS.feet.  52.  hardshelled  sweet  Almonds 

from  Cadiz." 

2®.  9.  Spitzenburgs  from  mr  Tay- 

lor.* grafted 

13.  Calvites  & Red  apples  from 
Detroit,  mf  Taylor,  grafted 

21.  Spitzenburgs.  cuttings  from 
the  3.  trees  from  mr  Divers 

30.  Newtown  pippings.  cuttings 
from  my  own  trees,  grafted. 

3* 70.  Taliaferro  apples,  grafted 

from  my  own  trees,  begin- 
ning them  at  E.  end. 

3*.  I.  to  5.f.  planted  24.  Peach  apricot  stones, 
saved  the  last  year  from  the 
tree  f.42.  at  W.  end. 

5“  I.  to  I f.f.  planted  141.  filbert  nuts  from  T. 
Lomax.^ 


6**.  I.  to  ly.f  48.  softl 
peach  trees,  from 
T.  Lomax. 

18.  to  20.f  II. 
November  soft 
peach  stones. 

20.  to  2I.f  6. 
plumb  peach 
stones  gathered 
Oct.  s- 

21.  to  27.1.  41. 
black  plumb 
peach  stones  of 
Georgia.’ 


14.  cuttings  of  the  Mag- 
dalen peach,  soft, 
grafted.  Taylor 
Terras  y*”. 

9.  cuttings  of  Kaskas- 
kia*  soft  nectarine. 
Taylor 


4.22 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1810 

10“.  I.  root  & 5.  cuttings  of  the 

Mountain  currant  brought  in 
by  Gov'.  Lewis.“  from  mf 
Taylor. 

ii”*.  I.  row  of  Umbrella  seeds."  i. 

d*.  of  Cucumber  tree  seeds." 

3.  to  i6.f.  seeds  of  the  Magnolia  glauca." 

12*'’.  I.  to  13  f.  seeds  of  Kentucky  locust," 

Mar.  21.  planted  7.  Rhododendrons”  in  4.  oval  beds” 

in  each  corner  of  the  house. 

N".  VI  . . planted  36.  Acacia.  Popinaques  ” (prob- 
ably Farnesiana)  seeds  from  Judge  Johns- 
ton,” in  a box. 

23.  sowed  Egyptian  grass”  in  the  old  nursery 
lowest  bed,  West  end. 

set  out  sprigs  of  sweet  scented  grass  ” in  low- 
est bed  Eastwardly. 

24,  Nursery.  8®.  Terras,  grafted  4.  pear  cut- 

tings from  Galli- 
polis."  very  large, 
eaten  Dec.  Jan.  Tay- 
lor 

9®.  grafted  6.  plumb  cut- 

tings from  d.27.  or 
e.36.  a large  blue 
plumb. 

26.  3*.  grafted  12.  codlings 

& 12.  iron  wildings, 
next  to  the  Taliafers. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


423 


1810] 

7“*.  planted  13.  stones  of 

the  Magdalen  or 
White  blossomed 
peach,  soft.  Taylor 

Apr.  18.  flower  borders.*®  sowed  larkspurs.**  poppies.** 
balsam  apple.** 

N.  oval  bed  on  S.W.  side,  nutmeg  plant.** 

S.  oval  bed  on  S.W.  side.  American  Co- 
lumbo.*^ 

20.  planted  in  the  ii.  uppermost  terrasses  of  the 
E.  vineyard  165.  cuttings  of  a native  winegrape 
rec*.  from  Major  Adlum  **  of  Maryland,  this 
grape  was  first  discovered  by  a gardener  of 
Governor  John  Penn’s  **  & transplanted  into 
his  garden  in  or  near  Philadelphia.  I have 
drank  of  the  wine,  it  resembles  the  Comartin 
Burgundy. 


planted  3.  yellow  Jas-' 

in  the  oval  beds 

mines*®  from  mf 

next  to  the  cov- 

Coles  *^ 

. ered  ways  on 

5.  d®.  from  mr 

both  sides  of 

Divers  

each. 

planted  in  boxes,  viz.  N®.  IV.  Acer  Tartari- 
cum.**  joli  petit  arbre.  propre  au  bos- 
quets. & 8.  grains  Poland  spring 
wheat  ** 

X.  hard  shelled  bitter  almond.  10.  kernels. 

XI.  Mespilus  Pyracanta.**  Prickly  medlar. 
2.y.  to  come  up.  & Ghibeba  Melli- 
meni.**  fescues 


4^4 


Apr.  26. 

28. 


May.  7. 
8. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1810 

XII.  Lonicera  Alpigena.**  red  berried 
honey  suckle 

XIII.  Broussonette  papyrifera.”  paper  mul- 
berry of  China. 

sowed.  Phaseolus  rufus.  Haricots  roussa- 
tres.**  West  bed  of  XV.  N.end. 

Brassica  sempervirens.**  middle  of  same  bed. 

Valeriana  vesicaria.^*  Candia  corn  sallad. 
S.end  of  same  bed. 

Pani  corn  " in  the  S.E.end  of  the  Supplemen- 
tary ground  below  Bailey’s  walk  forward  corn 
from  Claxton  in  S.W. corner  of  d“. 

Cherokee  latter  com  in  the  middle  part. 

Sweet  or  shriveled  corn  in  the  N.W.corner  of 
d*.  above  Bailey’s  walk. 

forward  blackeyed  peas  of  Georgia,  2.  upper- 
most rows,  ibidem. 

forward  French  black  eyes  “ in  the  rows  next 
below. 

Ravcnsworths  in  the  next.  3563.  of  these  = i 
pint 

Cow  peas  in  all  the  rest  of  the  Supplement  ex- 
cept as  follows.  *2587  = I. pint. 

Benni  “ in  all  the  E,  end  above  Bailey’s  walk. 

sowed  upland  rice**  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Meadow  branch. 

sowed  yellow  jasmine  seed  in  2.  boxes.  XIV, 
XV. 


i8io]. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


415 


14.  planted  12.  figs,  just  received  from  D'.  Thorn- 
ton,“ in  the  vacancies  at  the  S.W.  end  of  the 
wall. 

beginning  where  those  of  Sep.  5,  1809.  end. 
these  of  1809.  are  all  sprouting  at  the  root. 

June.  6.  Note  the  following  cluster  of  trees  in  the  old 
nursery,  to  be  suflfered  to  remain  there  & be 
taken  care  of 

1.  in  the  row  e.  15  f from  the  gate  a May  Duke 
cherry  of  the  finest  quality. 

2.  about  10  f below  that  a May  cherry  of  very 
fine  quality. 

3.  in  a line  with  that,  I2.f.  eastwardly  a plumb, 
supposed  Magnum  bonum. 

4.  a pear  2.f.  from  the  3*. 

5.  due  West  from  the  May  Duke  y.f.  a 
quince 

6.  due  West  nearly  from  the  Quince  8.f.  a 
pear. 

The  cherry  trees  along  the  brow  of  the  garden 
wall  are  as  follows. 

I"*,  in  the  S.W.  angle  opposite  the  Asparagus 
beds  a May  cherry. 

a”,  opposite  walk  A.  a Carnation. 

3".  square  I.  a May  cherry. 

4‘" II.  d“. 

XVI.I  a seedling  black,  but 
in  center  of  XVI.  large  & fine 


4^6 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i8io 


in  center  of  IX  not  a May  duke,  yet  like 
it.  perhaps  a black  heart. 


July.  2. 
3- 

Sep.  14. 


cucumber  from  mfs  Lewis.** 
squashes  from  the  Asparagus  bed. 
the  ice  in  the  ice  house  fails. 


millet " is  now  fit  for  use. 


• the  largest  cups  of  the  drill  hold  5.  cowpeas  each,  & 5 cups  to  a turn 
of  the  wheel  require  25.  peas  to  a revolution  of  the  wheel  which  is  6.f. 
in  circumference,  then  i.  pint  will  sow  lOO.  revolution  s=  aoo  yds, 
and  18  pints  or  peck  will  drill  an  acre  in  rows  4.f.  apart,  but  it  will 
be  better  to  use  the  cups  which  take  up  a single  pea  only  each,  with  6. 
cups  to  the  band,  or  6.  peas  to  the  6.f.  in  this  way  4I  pints  sow  an 
acre,  and  i,  bushel  sows  15.  acres. 


^ 1810.  Jefferson,  at  Monticello  now  for  almost  a year, 
found  that  retirement,  to  which  he  had  looked  forward  with 
keen  anticipation  for  so  many  years,  resolving  itself  into  a life 
of  financial  worry.  However,  his  release  from"  public  affairs 
and  his  many  interests  at  home  gave  him  much  happiness. 

A letter  to  his  friend.  General  Thaddeus  Kosciusko,  written 
from  Monticello  on  February  26,  gives  a bright  picture  of  how 
his  days  were  passing  since  his  return  home : 

I am  retired  to  MontiMllo,  where,  in  the  bosom  of  my  family,  and 
surrounded  by  my  books,  I enjoy  a repose  to  which  I have  been  long  a 
stranger.  My  mornings  are  devoted  to  correspondence.  From  break' 
fast  to  dinner,  I am  in  my  shops,  my  garden,  or  on  horseback  among  my 
farms;  from  dinner  to  dark,  I give  to  society  and  recreation  with  my 
neighbors  and  friends:  and  from  candle  light  to  early  bed-time,  I read. 
My  health  is  perfect;  and  my  strength  considerably  reinforced  by  the  ac- 
tivity of  the  course  I pursue;  perhaps  it  is  as  great  as  usually  falls  to  the 
lot  of  near  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  I talk  of  ploughs  and  harrows,  of 
seeding  and  harvesting,  with  my  neighbors,  and  of  politics  too,  if  they 
choose,  with  as  little  reserve  as  the  rest  of  ray  fellow  citizens,  and  feel, 
at  length,  the  blessing  of  being  free  to  say  and  do  what  I please,  without 
being  responsible  for  it  to  any  mortal.  A part  of  my  occupation,  and  by 
no  means  the  least  pleasing  is  the  direction  of  the  studies  of  such  young 
men  as  ask  it.  They  place  themselves  in  the  neighboring  village,  and 


i8io]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  427 

have  the  use  of  my  library  and  counsel,  and  make  a part  of  my  society. 
In  advising  the  course  of  their  reading,  I endeavor  to  keep  their  atten- 
tion fixed  on  the  main  objects  of  all  science,  the  freedom  and  happiness  of 
man.  So  that  coming  to  bear  a share  in  the  councils  and  government  of 
their  country,  they  will  keep  ever  in  view  the  sole  objects  of  all  legitimate 
government.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  la:  369-370.) 

Improvements  continued  at  Monticello  and  at  the  other 
estates,  hut  they  were  more  with  an  eye  to  utility  than  to  orna- 
ment. He  makes  this  point  in  a letter  written  on  August  6 to 
Mr.  Samuel  H.  Smith,  who  had  visited  him  at  Monticello  the 
year  before ; “I  have  made  no  progress  this  year  in  my  works 
of  ornament : having  been  obliged  to  attend  first  to  the  utile, 
my  farms  occupy  me  much,  and  require  much  to  get  them  un- 
derway.” (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

Although  the  spring  had  been  “wonderfully  backwards,”  the 
cold  weather  having  done  much  damage  to  fruit  trees  and  the 
“devastating  rain"  of  the  latter  part  of  February  having 
greatly  injured  the  fields,  a considerable  amount  of  planting 
had  been  done  throughout  the  spring  and  fall.  This  was 
especially  true  of  fruit  trees,  of  which  a large  variety  had 
been  set  out. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  year  Jefferson  completed  four 
cisterns  which  he  had  been  constructing  during  the  preceding 
years.  Although  they  added  to  the  supply  of  water  which  he 
had  been  getting  from  springs  and  the  well,  they  were  never 
satisfactory,  and  the  water  supply  for  his  mountaintop  con- 
tinued to  be  a serious  problem. 

Trouble  continued  at  the  mill.  On  November  9 the  mill 
dam  was  almost  completely  destroyed,  and  the  water  stood  on 
the  floor  of  the  mill,  four  feet  deep.  The  Farm  Book  states: 

there  fell  in  the  course  of  48.  hours  about  4f  I.  of  rain,  it  raised  the 
river  to  the  brim  of  the  bank  between  the  mill  dam  & ford  on  this  side 
and  carried  away  the  middle  of  the  dam,  & tore  very  much  to  pieces  the 
Eastern  i.  it  barely  entered  the  lowest  part  of  the  low  grounds  there 
& at  Milton,  the  water  was  about  4.  f,  deep  in  the  lowest  floor  of  the 
manufacturing  mill. 

The  incompetent  Shoemaker  was  still  the  manager  of  the  mill. 
The  nailery,  however,  was  more  prosperous,  manufacturing 
six  tons  of  nails  during  the  year. 

The  Garden  Book  for  this  year  contains  numerous  entries 
of  planting,  but  no  garden  Kalendar,  while  the  Farm  Book  in- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


428 


[1810 


eludes  observations  on  various  agricultural  improvements  and 
plans.  As  usual,  the  letters  are  replete  with  discussions  of 
agricultural  and  gardening  subjects. 

In  addition  to  the  Randolph  family,  Francis  Eppes,  Jeffer- 
son’s grandson,  spent  most  of  the  year  with  him,  studying 
under  his  tutelage.  Jefferson  spent  a greater  part  of  the  year 
at  Monttcello;  however,  he  went  to  Poplar  Forest  in  the 
spring,  in  August,  and  in  December.  No  doubt  he  went  there 
to  hasten  the  work  on  his  new  house,  which  was  nearing  com- 
pletion. 

* See  letter,  Mr.  Threlkeld  to  Jefferson,  March  8,  1809. 

' Mr.  George  Divers,  of  Farmington,  Albemarle  County. 

* See  entry  of  January  9,  1810,  under  Farm  Book. 

“ Cadiz,  Spain.  The  almonds  were  probably  sent  by  Mrs. 
Harriet  Hackley.  See  April  10,  1809,  in  Garden  Book. 

* Probably  James  Taylor,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia.  He  was 
born  December  14,  1771,  and  died  June  7,  1826.  He  mar- 
ried his  first  cousin  Sarah  Newton,  June  ii,  1800;  was  clerk 
of  the  court,  merchant,  and  importer  of  wine.  (See  William 
and  Mary  College  Quarterly  3:  18,  1895;  also  letter,  James 
Taylor  to  Jefferson,  February  3,  1806.) 

^ See  letter,  Thomas  Lomax  to  Jefferson,  October  30,  1809. 

‘ Probably  named  after  the  Kaskaskia  River,  in  Illinois,  or 
one  of  the  several  settlements  on  that  river. 

® See  entry  in  Garden  Book  for  April  lo,  1809. 

” Meriwether  Lewis  (1774-1809),  private  secretary  to 
President  Jefferson  in  1801,  and  co-leader  with  Captain  Wil- 
liam Clark  on  the  Northwest  Expedition.  After  their  re- 
turn in  1806,  Captain  Lewis  was  appointed  governor  of  the 
Missouri  Territory.  (Lippincott’s  Biographical  Dictionary: 
1S43-) 

“ Seeds  of  Magnolia  tripetala  L. 

Seeds  of  Magnolia  acuminata  L. 

“ Now  called  Magnolia  virginiana  L.  Common  name, 
sweet  bay. 

Gymnocladus  dioica  (L.)  Koch.  Commonly  called  Ken- 
tucky coffee  tree. 

” Probably  either  Rhododendron  mateimum  L.  or  R.  cataw- 
biense  Michx. 

See  plate  XXIII  for  location  of  these  beds. 


i8io]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  429 

Acacia  farnesiana  Willd.  See  letters,  Judge  Johnson  to 
Jefferson,  September  20,  1809,  and  Jefferson  to  Judge  John- 
son, March  17,  1810. 

“Judge  William  Johnson  (1771—1834),  born  in  Charles- 
ton, South  Carolina,  in  1771  and  graduated  from  Princeton 
College  in  1790  with  high  honors;  became  distinguished  in 
law,  and  in  1801  was  appointed  by  Jefferson  to  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States.  (Lippincott’s  Biographical  Dic- 
tionary: 1 3 94-) 

Egyptian  grass.  Dactyloctenium  aegyptium  (L.)  Willd. 
See  letters,  Jefferson  and  Judge  Johnson,  mentioned  in  note 
17. 

Sweet  scented  grass.  Anthoxanthum  odoratum  L.  See 
letter,  Jefferson  to  Ellen  Randolph,  February  6,  1809. 

^ Gallipolis,  Ohio.  A small  manufacturing  city  on  the 
Ohio  River. 

**  This  is  the  first  mention  of  the  flower  borders  in  the 
Garden  Book.  They  were  on  each  side  of  the  winding  or 
Roundabout  Walk  on  the  western  lawn.  See  plate  XXIV. 

^Delphinium  sp. 

Papaver  sp. 

Momordica  balsamina  L. 

“ Unidentified. 

Fraser  a caroliniensis  Walt. 

Major  John  Adlum,  of  Maryland,  collected  and  grew  a 
large  number  of  grape  vines  for  commercial  purposes,  and 
owned  one  of  the  best  vineyards  in  the  United  States.  He 
carried  on  some  correspondence  with  his  friend  Jefferson, 
mainly  on  the  subject  of  grapes  and  wines.  See  letters,  Jef- 
ferson and  Adlum,  March  13,  1810,  and  April  20,  1810. 

John  Penn,  the  grandson  of  William  Penn,  was  born  in 
London  on  July  14,  1729,  and  died  in  Philadelphia  on  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1795.  He  was  educated  at  the  University  of 
Geneva  and  came  to  this  country  in  1753.  He  was  Lieu- 
tenant Governor  and  Governor  of  Pennsylvania.  {Encyclo- 
pedia Americana  {New  York,  1942)  21;  511.) 

May  be  either  a species  of  Jasminum  L.  or  Gelsemium 
sempervirens  Juss. 

Probably  Isaac  A.  Coles,  who  “was  a member  of  the 
Albemarle  bar,  for  a time  President  Jefferson's  private  secre- 


430 


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[1810 

tary,  and  a member  of  the  House  of  Delegates.  He  lived  at 
Enniscorthy,  married  Mrs.  Julia  Strieker  Rankin,  widow  of 
Hon.  Christopher  Rankin,  of  Louisiana,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren, Isaetta  and  Strieker.  He  died  in  1841,  and  his  wife  in 
1876.”  (Woods,  Albemarle  County:  173.) 

Acer  tartaricum  L.  Pretty,  small  tree,  suitable  for  a 
thicket  (translated). 

**  Triticum  aestimm  var.  polonicum  Bailey. 

**  Now  Pyracanthus  coccinea  Roem. 

Unidentified. 

Lonicera  alpigena  L. 

Broussonetia  papyrifera  Vent. 

” Sowed  red  beans. 

Brassica  sempervirens.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Bernard 
McMahon,  February  16,  1812. 

**  Valeriana  vesicaria.  Unidentified. 

Pani  corn.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon, 
March  8,  1808.  A corn  brought  back  by  Meriwether  Lewis 
from  the  West. 

” French  black-eye  pea.  See  letter,  George  Divers  to  Jef- 
ferson, April  22,  1809. 

" Benne.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Judge  Johnson,  March 
17,  1810,  and  various  quoted  letters  about  the  benne  plant. 

“Upland  rice.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Water- 
house,  December  1,  1808. 

" See  letter,  Jefferson  to  William  Thornton,  May  24,  1810. 

“ Probably  the  wife  of  Colonel  Nicholas  Lewis.  Colonel 
Lewis  died  in  1808. 

Panicum  miliaceum  L. 

“ A machine  for  sowing  seeds. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  i8io 

(Jefferson  to  Honore  JuUien.) 

Monticello  Jan.  8.  1810. 

...  the  occupations  of  the  garden,  the  worbhops,  & the  farms  fill 
up  the  whole  of  T,  Jc.'s  time.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  Jan.  13.  10. 

Your  favor  of  Dec.  24.  did  not  get  to  hand  till  the  3*  inst.  and  I re- 
turn you  my  thanb  for  the  garden  seeds  which  came  safely.  I am 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


431 


1810] 


curious  to  select  only  one  or  two  of  the  best  species  or  variety  of  every 
garden  vegetable,  and  to  reject  all  others  from  the  garden  to  avoid  the 
dangers  of  mixture  & degeneracy,  some  plants  of  your  gooseberry,  of 
the  Hudson  & Chili  strawberries,  & some  bulbs  of  Crown  imperials,  if 
they  can  be  put  into  such  moderate  packages  as  may  be  put  into  the 
mail,  would  be  very  acceptable,  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  & Cork  oak  are 
two  trees  I have  long  wished  to  possess,  but,  even  if  you  have  them, 
they  could  only  come  by  water,  & in  charge  of  a carefid  individual,  of 
which  opportunities  rarely  occur. 

Before  you  receive  this  you  will  probably  have  seen  Gen*.  Clarke,  the 
companion  of  Governor  Lewis  in  his  journey,  & now  the  executor  of 
his  will,  the  papers  relating  to  the  expedition  had  safely  arrived  at 
Washington,  had  been  delivered  to  Gen'.  Clarke,  & were  to  be  carried 
on  by  him  to  Philadelphia,  and  measures  to  be  taken  for  immediate 
publication,  the  prospect  of  this  being  now  more  at  hand,  I think  it 
justice  due  to  the  merits  of  Gov'.  Lewis  to  keep  up  the  publication  of 
his  plants  till  his  work  is  out,  that  he  may  reap  the  well  deserved  fame 
of  their  first  discovery,  with  respect  to  mf  Pursh  I have  no  doubt  Gen'. 
Clarke  will  do  by  him  whatever  is  honorable,  & whatever  may  be  useful 
to  the  work.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Barnes.) 

Monticello  Jan.  17.  10. 

...  I have  450  acres  in  wheat  this  year,  all  in  excellent  land,  h the 
next  year  I shall  be  able  to  raise  it  to  600  acres,  & to  increase  my  tobacco 
crop  from  40  to  60.  in  a couple  of  years  more  1 shall  be  able  to  ,clear 
out  all  the  difficulties  I brought  on  myself  in  Washington.  11,000  D. 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Main.) 

Monticello,  Jan.  20,  1810. 

Your  favor  of  the  loth  inst.  has  been  duly  received  & I now  return 
you  the  paper  it  inclosed  with  some  subscriptions  to  it.  I go  rarely 
from  home,  & therefore  have  little  opportunity  of  promoting  subscrip- 
tions. these  are  of  the  friends  who  visit  me,  and  if  you  will  send  their 
copies,  when  ready,  to  me,  I will  distribute  them,  and  take  on  myself 
the  immediate  remittance  of  the  price  to  you.  I am  anxious  to  learn 
the  method  of  sprouting  the  haws  the  first  year,  which  that  work 
promises  to  teach  us, 

I visited  always  with  great  satisfaction  your  useful  establishment  and 
became  entirely  sensible  of  your  own  personal  merit.  I saw  with  regret 
your  labours  struggling  against  the  disadvantages  of  your  position,  the 
farm  is  poor,  the  country  around  it  poor,  & the  farmers  not  at  all 
emulous  of  improving  their  agriculture.  1 was  sensible  that  the  James 
river  lowgrounds  were  the  field  where  your  system  of  hedges  would  be 
peculiarly  useful,  it  is  the  richest  tract  of  country  in  the  Atlantic  states. 


432 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


Its  proprietors  are  all  wealthy,  and  devoted  to  the  improvement  of  their 
farms,  timber  for  wooden  inclosures  is  getting  out  of  their  reach  and 
is  liable  to  be  swept  away  by  floods,  the  hedge  would  quickly  become 
an  inclosure  in  such  lands,  & would  withstand  the  floods,  yet  I was 
sensible  of  the  difficulties  of  your  removal.  Nurseries  are  the  work  of 
years,  they  cannot  be  removed  from  place  to  place,  nor  all  sold  out  at 
a moment’s  warning,  to  renew  them  in  another  place  requires  years 
before  they  begin  again  to  yield  profit,  wishing  you  therefore  all  the 
success  which  your  present  situation  admits  & your  own  efforte,  industry 
& good  conduct  merit  I pray  you  to  be  assured  of  my  entire  esteem. 
(Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri,  3:  113.) 

(Jefferson  to  Joel  Barlow.) 

Monticello,  January  24,  1810. 

...  You  ask  my  opinion  of  Maine.  I think  him  a most  excellent 
man.  Sober,  industrious,  intelligent  and  conscientious.  But,  in  the 
difEculty  of  changing  a nursery  establishment,  I suspect  you  will  find  an 
insurmountable  obstacle  to  his  removal.  . . . 

P.  S.  The  day  before  yesterday  the  mercury  was  at  si®  with  us,  a very 
uncommon  degree  of  cold  here.  It  gave  us  the  first  ice  for  the  ice  house. 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  12:  351-352.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  Garland  Jefferson.) 

Monticello,  January  25,  i8io. 

...  I am  leading  a life  of  considerable  activity  as  a farmer,  reading 
little  and  writing  less.  Something  pursued  with  ardor  is  necessary  to 
guard  us  from  the  tedium-viatae,  and  the  active  pursuits  lessen  most  our 
sense  of  the  infirmities  of  age.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson 
12;  35S0 

(Jefferson  to  William  A.  Burwell.) 

Monticello,  February  25,  1810. 

. . . The  present  delightful  weather  has  drawn  us  all  into  our  farms 
and  gardens;  we  have  had  the  m(Kt  devastating  rain  which  has  ever 
fallen  within  my  knowledge.  Three  inches  of  water  fell  in  the  space 
of  about  an  hour.  Every  hollow  of  every  hill  presented  a torrent  which 
swept  everything  before  it.  I have  never  seen  the  fields  so  much  in- 
jured. ^ Mr.  Randolph’s  farm  is  the  only  one  which  has  not  suffered ; 
his  horizontal  furrows  arrested  the  water  at  every  step  till  it  was  ab- 
sorbed, or  at  least  had  deposited  the  soil  it  had  taken  up.  Everybody 
in  this  neighborhood  is  adopting  his  method  of  ploughing,  except  tenants 
who  have  no  interest  in  the  preservation  of  the  soil.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferton  12:  364-365.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


433 


(Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Trist.) 

Monticello  Feb.  28.  10. 

. . . Within  ten  days  Monticello  will  begin  to  enrobe  itself  in  all  it’s 
bloom,  we  are  now  all  out  in  our  gardens  & fields.  Since  Christmas  I 
have  taken  my  farms  into  my  own  hands.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 


(James  Ronaldson  to  Jefferson.) 


Paris  Mar.  4,  1810. 


List  of  seeds  sent 


Canary  seed  

Oil  poppy 

do.  do 

Dates 

Olive 

Leigle  de  Mare 

Madder  

Teazel  

Wood  

Blue  Wood 

Ferrenial  flax 

Gold  of  Pleasure  (Oil  plant)  

Oil  Raddish  

Sainfoin  that  gives  two  crops  per  annum 

Fall  Cabbage 

Scarlet  clover  (an  annual)  

Naked  Barley 


Alpiste 
oeillette 
Pavot  blaue 
Datties 
Olivies 
Spring  Rye 

Chardon  a foulen 

Pastel 
lin  vivace 
Cameline 

Radis  oleifer  de  la  chine 

Chou  Cavalier 
Trifle  de  Roussillon 
Orge  nud 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(John  Adlum  to  Jefferson.) 

Wilton  Farm  Mar  13,  1810. 

With  this  day’s  mail  I send  you  a number  of  cuttings  of  the  vines 
which  I made  the  wine.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(I.  A.  Coles  to  Jefferson.) 

Mar.  13“*.  1810. 

I.  A.  Coles  presents  his  complem*"  to  M'.  Jefferson  & sends  him  a few 
scions  of  the  Mountain  Laurel.  He  hopes  they  will  reach  him  without 
injury.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Captain  W.  D,  Meriwether.) 

Monticello  Mar.  14.  1810. 

’ The  bearer  now  comes  for  the  trees  you  have  taken  care  of  for  me, 
that  is  to  say  my  half  of  them,  whete  there  is  only  a single  one  of  a 


434 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8io 

kind  do  not  risk  the  taking  it  up.  a graft  from  it  another  }'ear  will  do 
as  well  for  me.  be  so  good  as  to  have  the  roots  of  those  sent  well  wrapt 
in  straw  to  keep  the  cold  air  from  them.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Judge  William  Johnson.) 

Monticello  Mar.  17.  1810. 

I received  by  mr.  Mitchell  your  letter  of  Sept.  20.  and  the  favor  of 
the  Benne  seed,  Egyptian  Grass  and  the  Accacia  seeds,  a journey  im- 
mediately succeeding  took  off  my  attention  from  the  subject  in  the 
moment,  and  it  was  not  till  overhauling  my  seeds  for  the  operations  of 
the  present  season  that  I was  reminded  of  the  duty  & pleasure  of  the 
acknolegement  still  due  for  your  kind  attention,  all  of  these  articles 
are  highly  acceptable,  they  bring  nourishment  to  my  hobby  horse:  for 
my  occupations  at  present  are  neither  in  reading  nor  writing,  the  cul- 
ture of  the  earth  in  the  garden,  orchard  and  farms  engage  my  whole  at- 
tention. two  essays  of  the  last  year  and  year  before  with  the  Benni 
have  failed,  the  first  by  the  earliest  frost  ever  known  in  this  country, 
which  killed  the  plants  before  maturity,  and  the  last  by  as  extraordinary 
a drought.  I raised  however  the  last  year  about  as  much  as  1 sowed, 
and  shdl  make  another  effort  this  year,  and  not  without  good  hopes.  ^ I 
have  provided  myself  with  a press  of  cast  iron,  to  wit,  a cylinder  holding 
half  a bushel  with  an  iron  lid  moving  within  it,  and  a screw  to  force 
that,  it  has  not  yet  however  been  tried.  I am  very  thankful  for  the 
Egyptian  grass,  having  long  heard  of  it  & wished  to  try  it.  I have  not 
been  able  to  find  the  term  Popinaque  which  distinguishes  the  species  of 
Acacia  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  send  me,  nor  do  I recollect  the  oc- 
casion of  my  mentioning  it  to  you.  being  a great  admirer  of  the  two 
species  Nilotica  & Farnesiana,  I suspect  it  must  be  one  of  these,  & prob- 
ably the  latter  which  is  a native  of  the  W.  India  islands.  I shall  how- 
ever cherish  it.  some  two  or  three  years  ago,  among  other  seeds  I re- 
ceived from  Malta,  was  that  of  the  Wintermelon.  I gave  it  to  two  or 
three  gardeners  near  Washington,  only  one  of  them  succeeded  in  rais- 
ing it,  on  account  of  the  criticalness  of  the  time  of  planting,  he  raised 
a few,  of  which  he  sent  me  one  on  Christmas  day.  he  planted  on  the 
I5‘\  of  July,  the  fruit  is  gathered  before  the  danger  of  frost,  the 
planting  must  have  been  so  timed  that  when  gathered  in  autumn,  and 
put  away  in  a warm  dry  place,  it  will  go  on  mellowing  as  an  apple,  it 
is  eaten  through  the  months  of  Dec.  Jan.  & February,  it  is  a very  fine 
melon.  I inclose  you  a few  seeds,  as  I think  it  will  be  more  likdy  to 
do  well  with  you  than  here,  and  shall  be  happy  to  administer  to  your 
taste  for  the  care  of  plants  in  any  way  you  can  make  me  useful.  . , , 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Mar.  25.  1810. 

...  it  is  believed  the  fruit  has  been  all  killed  in  the  bud  by  the  late 
extraordinary  cold  weather,  mine  is  untouched,  tho  I apprehend  that  a 


i8io] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


435 


very  heavy  white  frost  which  reached  the  top  of  the  hill  last  night  may 
have  killed  the  blossoms  of  an  Apricot  which  has  been  in  bloom  about  a 
week,  a very  few  peach  blossoms  are  yet  open.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  Apr.  i6.  lo. 

. . • our  spring  is  wonderfully  backward,  we  have  had  asparagus 
only  two  days,  the  fruit  has  escaped  better  than  was  believed,  it  is 
killed  only  in  low  places.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Robert  Fulton.) 

Monticello,  April  i6,  1810. 

. . . The  object  of  this  prompt  reply  to  your  letter,  is  the  offer  you 
so  kindly  made  of  lending  me  your  dynamometer.  It  will  be  the  great- 
est favor  you  can  do  me. 

The  Agricultural  Society  of  the  Seine  sent  me  one  of  Guillaume’s 
famous  ploughs,  famous  for  taking  but  half  the  moving  power  of  their 
best  ploughs  before  used.  They,  at  the  same  time,  requested  me  to  send 
them  one  of  our  best,  with  my  mould  board  to  it.  I promised  I would, 
as  soon  as  I retired  home  and  could  see  to  its  construction  myself.  In 
the  meantime  I wrote  to  a friend  at  Paris  to  send  me  a dynamometer, 
which  he  did.  Unfortunately  this,  with  some  other  valued  articles  of 
mine,  were  lost  on  its  passage  from  -Washington  to  Monticello.  I have 
made  the  plough  and  am  greatly  deceived  if  it  is  not  found  to  give  less 
resistance  than  theirs.  In  fact  I think  it  is  the  finest  plough  which  has 
ever  been  constructed  in  America.  But  it  is  the  actual  experiment  alone 
which  can  decide  this,  and  I was  with  great  reluctance  about  to  send  off 
the  plough  untried  when  I received  your  kind  offer.  I will  pray  you  to 
send  the  instrument  to  Mr.  Jefferson  of  Richmond  by  some  careful  pas- 
senger in  the  stage,  who  will  see  that  it  does  not  miscarry  by  the  way; 
or  by  some  vessel  bound  from  New  York  direct  to  Richmond,  which  is 
the  safest  though  slowest  conveyance.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson 19:  172-173.) 

(Jefferson  to  W.  C.  Nicholas.) 

Monticello  Apr.  16.  1810. 

On  enquiry  of  mr  Randolph  I find  his  process  for  rolling  his  seed  corn 
in  plaister  varies  a little  from  what  I told  you.  he  first  dilutes  the  tar 
with  water  stirred  into  it  to  such  a consistency  as  will  make  the  plaister 
adhere,  corn  is  then  put  into  a trough  and  diluted  tar  poured  on  it  and 
stirred  till  the  whole  of  the  grains  are  perfectly  coated,  there  must  be 
no  surplus  of  the  tar  more  than  covers  the  grains,  then  put  the  plaister 
in  and  stir  the  whole  until  the  corn  will  take  up  no  more,  and  remains 
dry  enough  to  be  handled,  he  observed  that  if  the  corn  was  rolled  in 
pure  tar  and  then  plaistered,  it  would  become  as  hard  as  marbles  and 
would  be  very  late  in  coming  up,  and  sometimes  not  come  up  at  all.  he 


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436 


[iSio 


takes  this  process  from  some  Northern  practice.  I wish  you  may  receive 
this  in  time  to  correct  my  imperfect  statement  of  it  to  you.  {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  Colonel  Skipwith.) 

Monticello  Apr.  17.  10. 

Overhauling  my  seeds  reminded  me  that  I was  to  send  you  some 
Millet  seed,  it  is  now  inclosed,  put  it  into  drills  j.  or  4.  f.  apart  so 
that  you  may  conveniently  plough  it,  and  the  stalks  at  6.  I.  distance  in 
the  drill,  it  is  planted  immediately  after  corn  planting,  say  in  May. 
it  is  to  be  used  for  the  table  as  homony,  boiled  or  fried,  needs  neither 
husking  nor  beating,  & boils  in  about  two  hours,  it  is  believed  here  it 
will  yield  100  bushels  to  the  acre.  I shall  have  some  acres  of  it  this 
year.  {Jefferson  Papers,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.) 


(Jefferson  to  John  Adlum.) 

Monticello  Apr,  20.  1810. 

. . . On  the  15*“  inst.  I received  yours  of  the  io‘'*.  & concluding  the 
bundle  of  cuttings  had  been  rejected  at  some  post  office  as  too  large  to 
pass  thro’  that  line,  I had  yesterday,  in  despair,  written  my  acknolege- 
ments  to  you  for  the  kind  service  you  had  endeavored  to  render  me  but 
before  I had  sent  off  the  letter,  I received  from  the  stage  office  of  Milton 
the  bundle  of  cuttings  & bottle  of  wine  safe,  yesterday  was  employed  in 
preparing  ground  for  the  cuttings,  165.  in  number,  & this  morning  they 
will  be  planted,  their  long  passage  gives  them  a dry  appearance,  tho  I 
hope  that  out  of  so  many  some  will  live  and  enable  me  to  fill  my  ground, 
their  chance  will  be  lessened  because  living  on  the  top  of  a mountain  I 
have  not  yet  the  command  of  water,  which  I hope  to  obtain  this  year  by 
cisterns,  already  prepared  for  saving  rain  water.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Jonathan  Shoemaker.) 

Monticello  Apr.  22.  10. 

A little  before  my  departure  for  Bedford  I informed  you  that  the 
pressures  on  me  for  money  for  corn  & other  objects  would  oblige  me  to 
rely  on  you  for  a very  considerable  sum  of  money,  of  which  no  delay 
could  be  admitted,  on  my  return  it  was  some  days  before  I went  to  the 
mill  to  call  on  you,  & then  learned  for  the  first  time  that  you  were  gone 
to  the  Northward  & would  not  be  back  till  June,  & no  information  left 
for  me  as  to  what  I might  expect,  the  urgency  of  my  necessities  there- 
fore oblige  me  to  come  to  an  immoveable  determination,  and  so  to  state 
it  to  you  candidly,  your  arrears  of  rent  are  at  present  about  600.  D.  & 
within  10  days  after  you  receive  this  will  be  about  goo.  after  giving 
every  credit  of  which  I have  any  knolege.  not  doubting  but  that  this 
proceeds  from  difficulties  of  your  own,  I am  willing  to  be  accomodating 
as  far  as  my  own  will  permit;  but  my  own  necessities  & my  own  credit 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


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i8io] 

must  be  attended  to  before  those  of  others.  I would  not  demand  this 
whole  sum  at  once,  if  I could  be  assured  of  receiving  200.  D.  on  the  i®*. 
day  of  every  month  for  3.  months,  & 100.  D.  a month  on  the  i"‘.  day  of 
every  month  after,  the  first  remittance  to  be  made  immediately  on  the 
receipt  of  this,  it  would  be  with  infinite  reluctance  that  I should  take 
any  step  which  would  destroy  the  credit  of  the  mills,  but  necessity  has  no 
law,  and  I must  yield  to  it  unless  you  can  engage  the  monthly  paiments 
above  mentioned  and  punctually  fulfill  the  engagements,  in  this  case  I 
might  obtain  indulgencies  for  myself  until  these  monthly  paiments  should 
clear  me ; but  I cannot  get  along  unless  I can  count  on  the  rents  of  the 
mill  as  a regular  resource.  I pray  you  to  let  me  hear  from  you  immedi- 
ately on  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  as  after  this  painful  explanation  it 
would  be  as  vain  as  inadmissible  to  admit  the  delay  of  writing  another, 
be  assured  that  it  has  cost  me  much  to  write  this,  and  that  I sincerely 
wish  you  well.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(William  Thornton  to  Jefferson.) 

Farm.  May  7,  1810. 

...  I shall  take  some  young  Fig  trees  down  with  me  this  Evening, 
but  do  not  recollect  the  Post-Day,  & consequently  do  not  know  whether 
I shall  be  in  time  for  the  Present  Post  I hope  these  will  succeed,  for  I 
have  taken  them  up  myself,  with  good  roots.  They  ought  to  be  planted 
in  very  light  woodland  mould,  such  as  is  generaaly  obtained  to  put  in 
Asparagus  Beds,  that  the  root  may  shoot  freely  in  all  directions,  and  run 
deep  for  a supply  of  moisture.  If  placed  toward  the  south  they  will 
also  enjoy  more  sun,  & be  less  subject  to  frosts.  . , . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  May  13,  1810. 

I thank  you  for  your  promised  attention  to  my  portion  of  the  Merinos, 
and  if  there  be  any  expenses  of  transportation,  etc.,  and  you  will  be  $0 
good  as  to  advance  my  portion  of  them  with  yours  and  notify  the  amount, 
it  shall  be  promptly  remitted.  What  shall  we  do  with  them?  I have 
been  so  disgusted  with  the  scandalous  extortions  lately  practiced  in  the 
sale  of  these  animals,  and  with  the  description  of  patriotism  and  praise 
to  the  sellers,  as  if  the  thousands  of  dollars  apiece  they  have  not  been 
ashamed  to  receive  were  not  reward  enough,  that  I am  disposed  to  con- 
sider as  right,  whatever  is  the  reverse  of  what  they  have  done.  Since 
fortune  has  put  the  occasion  upon  us,  is  it  not  incumbent  upon  us  so  to 
dispense  this  benefit  to  the  farmers  of  our  country,  as  to  put  to  shame 
those  who,  forgetting  their  own  wealth  and  the  honest  simplicity  of  the 
farmers,  have  thought  them  fit  objects  of  the  shaving  art,  and  to  excite, 
by  a better  example  the  condemnation  due  to  theirs?  No  sentiment  is 
more  acknowledged  in  the  family  of  Agriculturists  than  that  the  few 
who  can  afford  it  should  incur  the  risk  and  expense  of  all  new  improve- 
ments, and  give  the  benefit  freely  to  the  many  of  more  restricted  circum- 
stances. T^e  question  then  recurs,  What  are  we  to  do  with  them  ? I 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


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[1810 


shall  be  willing  to  concur  with  you  in  any  plan  you  shall  approve,  and 
in  order  that  we  may  have  some  proposition  to  begin  upon,  I will  throw 
out  a first  idea,  to  be  modified  or  postponed  to  whatever  you  shall  think 
better. 

Give  all  the  full-blooded  males  we  can  raise  to  the  different  counties 
of  our  State,  one  to  each,  as  fast  as  we  can  furnish  them.  And  as  there 
must  be  some  rule  of  priority  for  the  distribution,  let  us  begin  with  our 
own  counties  which  are  contiguous  and  nearly  central  to  the  State,  and 
proceed,  circle  after  circle,  till  we  have  given  a ram  to  every  county. 
This  will  take  about  seven  years,  if  we  add  to  the  full  descendants  those 
which  will  have  passed  to  the  fourth  generation  from  common  ewes. 
To  make  the  benefit  of  a single  male  as  general  as  practicable  to  the 
county,  we  may  ask  some  known  character  in  each  county  to  have  a 
small  society  formed  which  shall  receive  the  animal  and  prescribe  rules 
for  his  care  and  government.  We  should  retain  ourselves  all  the  full- 
blooded  ewes,  that  they  may  enable  us  the  sooner  to  furnish  a male  to 
every  county.  When  all  shall  have  been  provided  with  rams,  we  may, 
in  a year  or  two  more,  be  in  a condition  to  give  an  ewe  also  to  every 
county,  if  it  be  thought  necessary.  But  I suppose  it  will  not,  as  four 
generations  from  their  full-blooded  ram  will  give  them  the  pure  race 
from  common  ewes. 

In  the  meantime  we  shall  not  be  without  a profit  indemnifying  our 
trouble  and  expense.  For  if  of  our  present  stock  of  common  ewes,  we 
place  with  the  ram  as  many  as  he  may  be  competent  to,  suppose  fifty,  we 
may  sell  the  male  lambs  of  every  year  for  such  reasonable  price  as,  in 
addition  to  the  wool,  will  pay  for  the  maintenance  of  the  flock.  The 
first  year  they  will  be  half-bloods,  the  second  three-quarters,  the  third 
seven-eighths,  and  the  fourth  full-blooded;  if  we  take  care  in  selling  an- 
nually half  the  ewes  also,  to  keep  those  of  highest  blood,  this  will  be  a 
fund  for  kindnesses  to  our  friends,  as  well  as  for  indemnification  to  our- 
selves ; and  our  whole  State  may  thus,  from  this  small  stock,  so  dispersed, 
be  filled  in  a very  few  years  with  this  valuable  race,  and  more  satisfac- 
tion result  to  ourselves  than  money  ever  administered  to  the  bosom  of  a 
shaver.  There  will  be  danger  that  what  is  here  proposed,  though  but 
an  act  of  ordinary  duty,  may  be  perverted  into  one  of  ostentation,  but 
malice  will  always  find  bad  motives  for  good  actions.  Shall  we  there- 
fore never  do  good?  It  may  also  be  used  to  commit  us  with  those  on 
whose  example  it  will  truly  be  a reproof.  We  may  guard  against  this 
perhaps  by  a proper  reserve,  developing  our  purpose  only  by  its  execution. 

Vive,  vale,  et  siquid  novisti  rectius  istis 
Candidas  imperti  sinon,  his  ulere  mecum. 

(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  12:  389-391.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Thornton.) 

Monticello  May  24.  10. 

Your  favors  of  May  7.  & to.  are  both  received,  and  with  them  came 
the  figs  in  perfect  condition,  on  my  proceeding  to  plant  them  in  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


439 


i8io] 

same  places  where  I had  planted  those  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me 
the  last  year,  & reopening  the  holes,  to  my  great  astonishment  I found  a 
young  bud  putting  out  from  the  root  of  every  one.  they  had  been  long 
on  the  road,  were  planted  late,  & this  succeeded  by  the  most  calamitous 
drought  which  had  been  known  for  55  years,  so  that  not  the  smallest 
symptom  of  life  had  ever  shown  itself  above  ground.  I covered  them 
carefully  & hope  soon  to  see  them  rise  from  the  dead,  the  others  were 
planted  elsewhere  & I consider  m3rself  by  your  bounty  as  now  in  stock. 
I have  this  spring  laid  down  some  of  the  young  branches  of  my  Mar- 
seilles fig,  to  take  root,  this  method  being  more  secure  than  that  of 
cuttings.  I shall  take  care  in  due  season  to  forward  you  some  of  them, 
when  in  a condition  to  be  severed  from  the  parent  stock.  . . . {Jejferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello  May  25.  10. 

. . . We  are  suffering  under  a most  severe  drought  of  now  3.  weeks 
continuance.  Late  sown  wheat  is  yellow  but  the  oats  suffer  especially. 
. . , (Ford,  Jefferson  11:  141.) 

(William  Thornton  to  Jefferson.) 

Washington,  June  8,  1810. 

I am  very  glad  that  the  young  Fig-trees  arrived  safe,  and  also  that  the 
former  ones  were  still  alive.  I am  much  obliged  by  your  kindness  in 
reserving  one  of  the  sheep  dogs  for  me.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M. 
H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  General  John  Mason.) 

Monticello  June  22,  1810. 

You  were  so  kind,  when  I left  Washington,  as  to  give  me  some  seed 
of  the  Swedish  turnep.  I sowed  it  carefully,  but  a drought  from  the 
middle  of  July  till  autumn,  prevented  a single  plant  from  coming  to 
perfection,  can  you  give  me  a few  seeds  now,  & inform  me  when  you 
plant  them.  McMahon  directs  it  in  April  or  May.  but  this  is  so  dif- 
ferent from  the  season  of  sowing  other  turneps  that  I am  in  hopes  this 
apph'cation  is  not  yet  too  late.  I lost  by  the  same  drought  my  egg 
plants  but  it  is  now  too  late  to  ask  that  seed,  my  garden  & farms  oc- 
cupy me  closely  from  breakfast  to  dinner,  after  which  it  is  my  habit  to 
lounge,  so  that  I read  little.  ...  I have  the  genuine  Alpine  Strawberry, 
which  I received  from  Italy,  but  it  bears  so  little  that  I think  it  would 
take  acres  to  yield  a dish.  I propose  therefore  to  remove  it  from  the 
garden  to  the  fields  where  alone  we  have  acres  to  spare.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


440 


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[i8io 


(Jefferson  to  David  Warden.) 

Monticello  July  15.  10. 

My  distance  from  the  seat  of  government  and  ignorance  of  safe  con- 
veyances to  Paris  have  occasioned  me  to  be  late  in  acknoleging  your 
favor  of  Oct.  27.  that  of  Jan.  19.  is  lately  received,  with  the  former 
came  the  Memoires  d’ Agriculture,  the  map  of  M.  Romarzewski,  and 
with  the  latter  the  seeds  from  the  nationd  garden,  will  you  do  me 
the  favor  to  make  my  just  acknolegement  to  those  to  whom  they  are  due 
for  these  favors.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers^  Maryland  Historical  Society.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Lambert.) 

Monticello,  July  16,  1810. 

. . . My  occupations  here  are  almost  exclusively  given  to  my  farm 
and  affairs.  They  furnish  me  exercise,  health  and  amusement,  and  with 
the  recreations  of  family  and  neighborly  society,  fill  up  most  of  my  time, 
and  give  a tranquility  necessary  to  my  time  of  life.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  12:  398-) 

(Charles  Clay  to  Jefferson.) 

[Bedford  County]  September  5,  1810, 

My  boy  brings  you  some  seed  of  the  late  invented  Hay-Rye, — in  its 
wild  state  it  is  generally  found  on  a light  rich  soil  by  the  sides  of  Rivers, 
Creeks  etc.  Yet  from  the  single  experiment  I have  made  with  it  I ap- 
prehend it  will  thrive  very  well  on  any  good  clover  soil. — ^This  is  the 
fourth  year  it  has  stood  where  you  saw  it, — ^it  has  every  year  increased 
in  quantity,  being  at  first  sown  very  thin,  in  the  month  of  March, — ^but 
I am  inclined  to  think  the  fall  is  the  proper  time  for  seeding  it,  & then  it 
would  probably  produce  seed  the  next  summer,  which  it  does  not  when 
sown  in  the  spring.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Hugh  Chisholm.) 

Monticello  Sept.  10.  iSio. 

...  unless  the  Cistern  be  done  in  time  to  dry,  it  will  give  away  again 
in  winter.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  S.  Barton.) 

Monticello  Oct.  6.  1810. 

, . . When  we  had  the  pleasure  of  possessing  you  here,  you  expressed 
a wish  to  have  some  of  the  Ricara  snap  beans,  and  of  the  Columbian 
Salsafia  brought  from  the  Western  side  of  the  continent  by  Gov'.  Lewis. 
, I now  enclose  you  some  seeds  of  each,  the  Ricara  bean  is  one  of  the 
most  excellent  we  have  had:  I have  cultivated  them  plentifully  for  the 
table  two  years.  I have  found  one  kind  only  superior  to  them,  but 
being  very  sensibly  so,  I shall  abandon  the  Ricaras.  I have  not  yet 
raised  enough  of  the  Salsafia  to  judge  it.  Gov'.  Lewis  did  not  think  it 
as  delicate  as  the  kind  we  possess.  (Jefferson  Papers,  \j.  C.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


441 


1810] 

From  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book  i'jj6-i82o: 

1810.  Jan.  21.  the  thermometer  in  the  Greenhouse  is  4J  Reamur  = 
21.3  Farenheit.  in  my  bedroom  it  was  37“  in  the  open  air  9|“. 

Jan.  22.  bedroom  33°.  greenhouse  19^“.  outer  air  5^°. 

23.  bedroom  32^“.  greenhouse  20|°.  outer  air  ii®. 

1810.  Feb.  24.-Mar.  i.  in  dressing  the  terras  which  forms  the  N.  W. 
side  of  the  garden,  digging  turf  below  the  garden  wall,  and 
bringing  & laying  it  on  the  terras.  3.  men  did  41.  square  yards 
a day. 

From  the  Farm  Book: 

1810.  June  25.  began  the  wheat  harvest  at  Monticello. 

1810.  Jan.  9.  running  the  rafter  level  through  a field  to  guide  the 
ploughs  horizontally,  Thruston  makes  a step  of  the  level  (lO  f.) 
every  minute,  which  is  600.  f.  = 200.  yds  an  hour, 

Jan,  9.  in  terrassing  the  new  nursery  in  4.  f.  terrasses  2 men 
do  50.  yds  in  length  a day. 

1810.  Nov.  the  batteau  with  8 hands  collecting  rock  for  the  dam  on 
the  mountain  side  about  i a mile  above  the  dam,  bring  about  6. 
loads  a day  of  2.  perch  each.  = 12.  perch  a day.  a waggon  col' 
lecting  stone  in  the  plantation  from  the  E.  side  of  the  meadow 
branch  bring  12  loads  a day  of  i perch  each  — 6 perch  a day. 
having  it’s  driver  & 2,  of  the  nail  boys  to  load  & unload.  i2. 
hands  get  the  long  logs  (6  of  50  f.  long)  and  tyers  (21.  of  t6 
to  20  f.  long)  for  a pen  12.  f.  wide  in  the  dear,  50.  f.  long  & 
3.  f.  high,  bring  them  into  place  by  water,  and  lay  them  down  in 
3.  days,  the  cost  then  of  a pen  50.  by  12.  f.  for  the  timber  part 

is  18.  D. 

the  stone  70.  perch  @ 4/  = 48.67 


64,67 

about  1.30  or  8/  a foot  running  measure 
or  I.  D.  the  cubic  yard  of  the  dam. 

Lego 

plan  for  the  crop  of  1810 

1810  clear  the  low  grounds  on  the  W.  side  of  Secretary’s  ford  (ab^  I2 
or  IS  a’)  for  tobacco. 

clean  up  the  Square  field  for  corn.  40  a*. 

Triangle  & Oblong,  put  into  oats.  80.  a*, 
the  belted  grounds,  not  in  wheat,  put  into  oats. 


iSii.  (continoed) 


Jefpekson’s  Garden-  Book 


443 


i8n] 


i8ii.  (condnned) 


444 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8ii 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


445 


i8ii] 

i8il. 

Mar.  1 6.  planted  5.  Tuckahoe*  gray  cherries  in  the  row 
e-i-2  + 1 .4.5  from  Enniscorthy.” 

18.  planted  30  Monthly  raspberries  “ in  the  3 ter- 
rasses  next  below  the  common  raspberry. 

planted  Asparagus  seed  in  beds  5.6.7.  & re- 
planted 3.4. 

22.  Mimosa  pudica.^®  Sensitive  plant,  oval  bed 
in  ^ of  N.W.  Piazza  & cov'*  way. 

Reseda  odorata.“  Mignonette  d®. 
near  N.W.  cistern 

Delphinium  exaltatum.^*  American  larkspur, 
outer  flower  border.  N.W.  quarter.^* 

Pentapetes  Phoenicia.”  Scarlet  Mallow. 
Outer  flower  border.  S.W.  quarter. 

23.  Lathyrus  odoratus,^’  sweet  scented  pea.  oval 
bed  in  S.W.  £ of  S.W.  portico  and  d“.  S.W. 
£ of  S.  piazza  & cov”.  way  also  Ximenesia 
Encelioides.  in  the  same  belle  grande  plante 
annuelle  d’ornement.  from  Thouin 

Apr.  3.  asparagus  to  table. 

8.  Anemone  pulsatilla.”  belle  plante  vivace." 
oval  in  S.W.  £ of  S.W.  portico  & chamber 

Mirabilis  tota  varietas,"  plante  vivace  d’orne- 
ment. oval  in  N.W.  £ of  S.W.  portico  & 
Din*.  R. 

8.  New  nursery,  planted  5*”.  Terras  15.  Gloster 
hiccory  nuts.“ 


446 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8n 


7“*  Peach  stones,  fine  soft  from  Pop.  For.** 

13“.  Genista  juncea.”  Span- 
ish broom 

14.  Cytisus  Laburnum  ** 

15.  16.  Thorn  haws  from  Algiers  *® 

13.  planted  residue  of  the  seeds  of  the  Genista 
juncea  on  both  sides  of  the  Upper  Round- 
about.** 

9.  sowed  Burnet  *’  in  the  lower  part  of  the  W.  end 
of  the  orchard  ground,  rye  grass  **  from  mf 
Clay  *"  next  above  that 

- planted  Pani  corn  in  the  middle  part  of 
grounds  below  Bailey’s  alley,  come  to  table 
July  18. 

Cherokee  corn  in  the  S.W.  angle  of  those 
grounds. 

13.  Quarantine  com  from  Thouin*®  in  the  old 
Nursery. 

forward  cucumbers,  in  the  hhd**  by  the 
middle  gate  of  the  garden 

long  green  d®.  in  the  same  hogshead. 

tomatas  **  in  the  high  border  VI. 

16.  in  drilling  the  Benni  with  the  smallest  cups  i. 
gill  of  seed  drilled  12.  rows  of  153.  yds  on  an 
average  equal  to  1836  yds.  consequently  to 
drill  an  acre  in  4.!.  drills  would  take  2.  gills  of 
seed. 


• from  Thouin  ®® 


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447 


sowed  seed  of  the  silk  plant**  from  mr  Erv- 
ing  ®*  in  oval  bed  near  the  S.E.  cistern. 

May.  15.  sowed  in  Old  Nursery,  dbie  cropped  S*.  foin.®“ 
considble  square  near  S.E.  corner. 

madder**  from  France,  in  a bed  below  the 
former. 

Span.  S*.  foin.  in  a small  bed  above  the  dble 
cropped. 

Palma  Christ!.*^  in  a row  round  the  Nursery. 

16.  strawberries  come  to  table. 

28.  artichokes  come  to  table,  the  last  dish  is  July 
28. 


*■  1811.  The  year  passed  quietly  and  interestingly  for  Jef- 
ferson. His  financial  affairs  were  improving,  so  that  he  was 
able  to  turn  his  mind  to  interests  more  to  his  liking. 

A letter  written  on  May  26,  from  Monticello,  to  his  grand- 
daughter, Mrs.  Anne  Cary  Bankhead,  shows  the  even  tenor 
of  the  passing  days  on  his  mountain. 

. . . Nothing  new  has  happened  in  our  neighborhood  since  you  left  us; 
the  houses  and  the  trees  stand  where  they  did;  the  flowers  come  forth 
like  the  belles  of  the  day,  have  their  short  reign  of  beauty  and  splendor, 
and  retire,  like  them,  to  the  more  interesting  office  of  reproducing  their 
like.  The  Hyacinths  and  Tulips  are  off  the  stage,  the  Irises  are  giving 
place  to  the  Belladonnas,  as  these  will  to  the  Tuberr«es,  etc, ; as  your 
mamma  has  done  to  you,  my  dear  Anne,  as  you  will  no  to  the  sisters  of 
little  John,  and  as  I shall  soon  and  cheerfully  do  to  you  all  in  wishing 
you  a long,  long  good-night.  . . . (Randolph,  Jefferson:  349’) 

The  two  high  points  of  this  year  were  the  birth  of  a son  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bankhead,  making  Jefferson  a great-grand- 
father, and  the  beginning  of  a reconciliation  between  Jefferson 
and  his  old  friend,  John  Adams. 


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While  teaching  mathematics  to  his  young  grandson,  Francis 
Eppes,  Jefferson  became  again  deeply  interested  in  its  prin- 
ciples and  spent  much  of  his  time  studying  it.  The  eclipse  of 
the  sun  on  September  17  brought  back  his  old  interest  in 
astronomy.  He  sent  his  observations  to  William  Lambert, 
and  after  receiving  a reply  from  him,  wrote  the  following 
letter,  on  December  29: 

I am  very  thankful  for  your  calculations  on  my  observations  of  the 
late  solar  eclipse.  I have  for  some  time  past  been  rubbing  off  the  rust 
of  my  mathematics  contracted  during  50  years  engrossed  by  other  pur- 
suits, and  have  found  in  it  a delight  & a success  beyond  my  expectations. 
I observed  the  eclipse  of  the  sun  with  a view  to  calculate  my  longitude 
from  it,  but  other  occupations  had  prevented  my  undertaking  it  before 
my  journey;  and  the  calculations  you  have  furnished  me  will  shew  it 
would  have  been  more  elaborate  than  I had  expected,  & that  most  prob- 
ably I should  have  foundered  by  the  way.  ...  As  soon  as  I have  fitted 
up  a little  box  for  my  instruments,  I shall  amuse  myself  with  the  further 
ascertainment  of  my  longitude  by  the  lunar  observations,  which  have  the 
advantage  of  being  repeated  ad  libitum,  and  requiring  less  laborious  cal- 
culations. . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

In  the  late  summer  Jefferson  suffered  another  attack  of 
rheumatism,  which  lowered  his  spirits  considerably.  In  Sep- 
tember he  was  grief-stricken  over  the  death  of  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Dabney  Carr,  a member  of  long  standing  in  the  household  at 
Monticello. 

As  in  the  preceding  years  he  made  three  visits  to  Poplar 
Forest,  each  visit  lasting  several  weeks.  These  visits  gave 
him  a relief  from  the  constant  flow  of  visitors  at  Monticello, 
and  also  a chance  to  pursue  his  own  interests  more  freely. 

The  Garden  Book  again  recorded  the  daily  plantings  and 
the  names  of  the  persons  who  had  sent  him  plants.  Pertinent 
letters  there  were,  but  in  a decreasing  number.  Both  the 
Farm  Book  and  the  Account  Book  contain  several  entries. 

* Mrs.  Isaac  A.  Coles,  of  Enniscorthy,  Albemarle  County. 

* Probably  Richard  Price,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest  in- 
habitants of  Milton,  Albemarle  County.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried and  died  in  1827.  (Woods,  Albemarle  County:  298.) 

* Probably  Allium  cepa  var.  viviparum  Metz.,  which  pro- 
duces bulbils  in  the  flower  cluster. 

* Jeremiah  Goodman,  who  became  overseer  at  Poplar  Forest 
in  1811.  See  letters  and  memoranda,  Jefferson  to  Goodman, 
i8it,  i8i2,  1813,  1814.  . 


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449 


i8n] 

• Leghorn,  Italy. 

^ McReery,  unidentified. 

« qu.  = query. 

Tuckahoe  gray  cherries,  probably  named  after  Tuckahoe, 
the  home  of  Colonel  William  Randolph,  a friend  of  Peter 
Jefferson,  where  Jefferson  spent  part  of  his  childhood.  See 
letter,  Coles  to  Jefferson,  March  13,  1811. 

Enniscorthy,  Albemarle  County,  home  of  Isaac  A.  Coles. 

“ Probably  a variety  of  Rubus  idaeus  L.  See  letter, 
George  Divers  to  Jefferson,  March  17,  18 ti. 

Mimosa  pudica  L. 

“ Reseda  odorata  L. 

“ Delphinium  exaltatum  Ait. 

Pentapetes  Phoenicia  L. 

« "Outer  flower  border.  N.  W.  quarter”  and  "Outer 
flower  border.  S.  W.  quarter”  refer  to  the  flower  borders 
along  the  round-about  walk  on  the  western  lawn.  See  plate 
XXIV. 

" Lathyrus  odoratus  L. 

Anemone  pulsatilla  L. 

“ Translated;  beautiful  perennial  plant. 

Mirabilis  L.  Translated;  all  varieties,  ornamental  per- 
ennial plant. 

Gloster  hiccory  nut.  A special  kind  of  hickory  from 
Gloucester  County,  Virginia.  This  nut  has  been  mentioned 
frequently  in  Jefferson’s  correspondence. 

**  Poplar  Forest,  Bedford  County. 

” Now  called  Spar  Hum  junceum  Lam. 

Now  called  Laburnum  anagyroides  Medic.  Golden 
Chain  Tree. 

Capital  of  Algeria. 

**The  Upper  Round-about  was  also  known  as  the  First 
Round-about,  and  included  the  Mulberry  Row. 

Sanguisorba  minor  Scop. 

®*See  letter,  Charles  Clay  to  Jefferson,  September  5,  i8io. 

The  Reverend  Charles  Clay  was  a friendly  neighbor  of 
Jefferson  at  Poplar  Forest.  They  often  exchanged  plants. 

Rev.  Charles  Clay,  a cousin  of  Henry  Clay,  was  an  earnest  minister, 
preaching  not  only  in  the  churches,  but  also  in  private  houses  and  at  the 
Prison  Barracks.  ...  He  finally  settled  in  Bedford  County,  where  he 
died,  and  by  the  directions  of  his  will  an  immense  heap  of  stones,  twenty 


450  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i8u 

feet  in  diameter  and  twelve  feet  high,  was  piled  up  upon  his  grave. 
(Woods,  Albemarle  County:  126.) 

*®  Andre  Thoiiin,  a French  botanist,  was  born  in  Paris  in 
1747.  He  was  appointed  chief  gardener  of  the  Jardin  des 
Plantes  about  1765.  Jefferson  formed  a friendship  with  him 
when  he  was  living  in  Paris,  followed  by  a correspondence  be- 
tween them  until  Thouin’s  death  in  1824.  Thouin  sent  Jef- 
ferson a large  assprtment  of  plants  and  seeds  not  native  to 
the  United  States.  Jefferson  planted  some  of  them  at  Monti- 
cello;  but  others  were  sent  to  botanical  gardens  and  seedsmen, 
chiefly  to  Bernard  McMahon  and  David  Hosack.  Thouin 
wrote,  besides  others  works.  Lectures  on  the  Culture  and 
Naturalization  of  Plants  (3  v.,  1827).  “Few  men,”  says 
Cuvier,  “exercise  a more  useful  influence.”  (See  Lippincott’s 
Biographical  Dictionary:  2314;  also  letter,  Jefferson  to  Bern- 
ard McMahon,  May  4,  1811.) 

hH3  = hogshead. 

**  Tomatoes,  Lycopersicon  esculentum  Mill. 

**  Probably  Boehmeria  nivea  Gaud. 

**  George  W.  Erving. 

Born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  1771 J went  with  his  father’s  family 
to  England  in  1776;  was  educated  at  Oxford,  England,  and  returning 
to  his  native  country,  was  made  Consul  to  London  by  Jefferson;  was 
Secretary  of  Legation  to  Spain  in  1804;  Special  Minister  to  Denmark 
in  1811,  and  Minister  to  Spain  in  1814.  Died  in  New  York  July, 
1850.  (Charles  Lanman,  Biographical  Annals  of  the  Civil  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  (Washington,  1876) : 138.) 

Onobrychis  viciaefolia  Scop.  Jefferson  first  became  ac- 
quainted with  Saint-Foin  grass  when  he  was  in  Paris.  It  was 
one  of  the  plants  he  wished  to  introduce  into  the  United  States. 
He  was  only  partially  successful.  The  grass  has  been  men- 
tioned frequently  in  his  correspondence. 

**  Madder,  Galium  mollugo  L. 

Palma  Christ!  or  castor-oil  plant,  Ricinus  communis  L. 

Letteks  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  i8ii 
(William  Coolidge  to  Jefferson.) 

Boston  9 Jan^  1811 

. . . The  Agriculture  and  Manufactures  of  our  Country  have  con- 
siderably improved,  and  are  rapidly  progressing;  and  while  we  can  m^e 


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the  one,  in  a measure  dependant  on  the  other,  it  will  tend,  not  only  to 
promote  both,  in  a degree,  render  us  independant  of  other  nations,  on 
whom  we  now  depend  for  supplies. 

The  article  of  Madder,  is  of  primary  importance  in  Manufacturing: 
no  ingredient  yet  discovered,  for  Dyeing,  can  have  such  almost  universal 
application  in  the  forming  of  different  colors,  and  shades.  Our  climate 
& soil,  are  undoubtedly  congenial  to  its  cultivation ; and  considering  the 
price  we  pay  for  that  of  foreign  growth;  it  might  be  made  an  important 
article  to  our  Agriculturalists:  yet  I do  not  find  any  attempt  has  been 
made  in  N.  England,  towards  its  cultivation,  not  even  for  experiment. 
But  observing  in  one  of  our  Newspapers,  that  a Lady  in  Virginia,  had 
made  a number  of  successful  experiments  in  dyeing ; and  that  in  some  of 
them  she  made  use  of  Madder  in  its  undried  state;  of  course  conclude 
that  the  article  is  then  cultivated. 

Not  having  the  pleasure  of  a personal  acquaintance  with  any  Gentle- 
men of  observation  in  that  State,  have  taken  the  liberty  to  address  to 
you  for  information  in  that  subject  viz. 

1.  In  what  part  of  the  State  is  it  cultivated?  and  when  may  applica- 
tion be  made  for  the  roots  in  a fit  state  for  setting. 

3.  Presuming  that  experiments  have  been  made,  what  is  the  soil  best 
adapted  to  its  growth? 

3.  What  the  most  suitable  season  for  planting? 

4.  Does  it  require  artificial  watering  in  a dry  season? 

5.  How  long  before  it  comes  to  maturity? 

6.  What  the  most  suitable  season  for  gathering?  or  if  any  marks,  what 
are  they  of  its  maturity? 

7.  The  best  mode  of  drying,  whether  in  a kiln,  as  I understand  is 
practiced  in  Holland,  or  in  the  open  air.  Any  information  you  will 
afford  me  on  these  inquiries,  or  any  of  them,  will  confer  an  obliga- 
tion. . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  D.  B,  Warden.) 

Monticello  Jan.  12.  ii. 

When  I wrote  my  letter  of  the  day  before  yesterday,  I had  not  yet 
had  time  to  look  into  the  pamphlets  you  had  been  so  kind  as  to  send  me. 
I have  now  entered  on  them,  and  find  in  the  very  entrance  an  artidc  so 
interesting  as  to  induce  me  to  trouble  you  with  a second  letter,  it  is  the 
first  paper  of  the  i"*.  fasciculus  published  by  the  Belfast  society  in  which 
mr.  Richardson  gives  an  account  of  a grass  which  he  calls  Florin,  or 
agrostis  Stolonifera,  which  from  his  character  of  it  would  be  inestimable 
hefe  to  cover  what  we  call  our  galled  lands,  these  are  lands  which 
have  been  barbarously  managed  tiU  they  have  all  their  vegetable  mould 
washed  off,  after  which  we  have  no  permanent  grass  which  can  be  made 
to  take  on  them,  from  the  length  of  time  which  the  fiorin  is  said  to 
retain  it’s  vegetative  power  after  being  severed  from  the  earth,  I am 
persuaded  that  if  done  up  in  moss  under  proper  envelopes,  it  would  come 
here  with  life  still  in  it.  perhaps  your  connections  in  Ireland  might  en- 
able you  to  procure  a little  of  it  to  be  sent  to  me.  if  done  up  in  a 


452 


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packet  not  exceeding  the  size  of  a 12  or  8 volume  and  addressed 
to  me,  it  would  come  from  any  port  of  this  country  where  it  should  be 
landed,  by  post,  with  safety,  & what  is  equally  important,  with  speed, 
you  would  render  in  this  a great  service  to  our  agriculturists,  for  none 
can  be  greater  than  the  communication  of  the  useful  plants  of  one  coun- 
try to  another.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  CooHdge.) 

Monticello  Jan.  24.  ii. 

Your  letter  of  the  9*’'.  has  been  duly  received.  I am  able  to  give  but 
little  information  on  the  subject  of  Madder.  I know  it  has  been  culti- 
vated, ever  since  I can  remember  in  this  state  for  household  use;  and 
before  the  revolution  it  was  cultivated  on  a large  scale  by  some.  Col". 
Harrison,  a member  of  the  1“^  Congress,  was  one  of  these  and  told  me 
he  did  not  believe  it  could  be  cultivated  to  better  advantage  in  any 
country  than  in  this.  I do  not  know  why  he  discontinued  it,  but  prob- 
ably for  the  want  of  sale,  there  not  being  enough  made  to  employ 
merchants  for  that  article  only,  and  our  merchants  of  that  day  being  all 
confined  to  the  tobacco  line,  it  is  still  cultivated  over  the  whole  of  this 
state,  I believe,  that  is  to  say,  by  some  one  in  every  neighborhood,  a little 
being  sufficient  for  a whole  neighborhood:  for  altho  with  us,  nearly 
every  family  in  the  country  make  their  own  clothing,  scarcely  any  is 
made  for  sde.  this  answers  pur  first  quaere,  and  for  all  the  rest  I 
must  refer  you  to  M"  Mahon  s book  of  gardening,  published  in  Phila- 
delphia where  he  resides,  & carries  on  the  business  of  a seedsman,  he 
gives  the  best  account  of  it’s  culture,  & can  probably  furnish  the  seed  of 
the  best  species,  here  it  is  preferred  to  use  the  root  undried,  in  that 
case  it  is  washed,  & after  la  hours  beaten  into  a paste,  the  same  quan- 
tity of  root  will  go  twice  as  far  in  that  way  as  dried,  we  dry  it  in  the 
open  air  when  necessary,  it  takes  three  years  from  the  planting  to  be 
fit  for  use.  this  is  the  sum  of  the  information  I have  received  on  the 
subject.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  March  8,  1811. 

, . . We  have  had  a wretched  winter  for  the  farmer.  Great  con- 
sumption of  food  by  the  cattle,  and  little  weather  for  preparing  the  en- 
suing crop.  During  my  stay  in  Bedford  we  had  seven  snows,  that  of 
February  22,  which  was  15  inches  about  Richmond,  was  6 inches  here, 
and  only  3^  in  Bedford.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13: 
22-23.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  March  10*’*.  1811. 

I have  it  now  in  my  power  to  send  you  some  plants  of  the  Hudson 
3trawberry,  and  some  good  gooseberry  plants,  and  anxiously  wish  to 


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453 


i8n] 

know  by  what  means  or  rout  I can  convey  them  to  you,  this  being  a 
very  proper  period  for  sending  them.  I earnestly  request  the  favor  of 
your  sending  me  a list  of  any  plants  and  seeds,  which  would  be  acceptable 
to  you  and  add  to  your  collection ; but  lest  I should  not  have  some  par- 
ticular kinds  which  you  wish  for,  I pray  you  to  enlarge  the  list,  to  af- 
ford me  the  better  opportunity  of  furnishing  you  with  some  of  them. 
Be  so  good  as  to  inform  me  whether  you  have  a Green  House  & a Hot 
House  or  only  the  former.  As  to  fruit-trees  my  Nursery  is  of  too  re- 
cent an  establishment  to  have  as  yet  apple,  pear,  cherry,  plum  and  peach 
trees,  &c,  and  indeed,  with  the  exception  of  a few  superior  sorts,  these 
shall  always  be  a minor  consideration  with  me,  as  there  are  enough  to 
devout  their  attention  to  them. 

By  this  mail  you  will  receive  a small  package  of  the  Crambe  maritima 
seeds  from  me,  with  a few  other  trifling  seeds;  the  former  you  should 
sow  immediately  on  the  reception  of  them.  In  hopes  of  hearing  from 
you  shortly.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

At  the  end  of  the  above  letter  Jefferson  wrote  the  follow- 
ing list  of  plants.  Whether  they  were  plants  to  be  ordered 
from  McMahon  or  some  that  McMahon  had  sent  Jefferson 
is  not  stated. 

dEIe  Anemone.  Auricula  dble.  Carnation 
dEIe  Ranunculuses.  Crown  Imperial 
Mignonette. 

seakale  egg  plant 

Chili  Hudson  strawberries 

Gooseberries 
Cape  Jasmine 

Cork  tree.  Cedar  of  Lebanon 

Balm  of  Gilead  fir.  Spanish  Chestnut.  Mar. 

dble  Anemone 
Auricula, 
dble  Carnation 
Mignonette 
Sea  Kale 
egg  plant 
dble  Ranunculus 
Crown  Imperial 

Chilf****}  Strawberries 

Gooseberries 
Cape  Jasmine 
Cedar  of  Lebanon 
balm  of  Gilead  Fir 
Cork  tree 

Spanish  Chestnut.  Maronnier. 


seeds. 

bulbs. 

plants. 


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[i8n 


(1.  A.  Coles  to  Jefferson.) 

Enniscorthy  Mar;  I3*^  i8ii. 

I take  the  liberty  of  sending  my  servant  for  a few  more  Aspen  trees, 
& for  some  cuttings  of  the  Detroit  Apple,  and  of  the  Spitsenburg.  The 
season  is  I fear,  ^most  too  much  advanced,  but  as  I did  not  get  back 
from  the  lower  country  until  the  day  before  yesterday,  the  evil  has  been 
unavoidable.  I send  a few  of  the  Tuckahoe  Cherry  which  may  pos- 
sibly succeed.  Next  Spring  I will  send  others,  with  the  Pears  which  I 
promised,  but  that  I am  so  much  occupied  with  planting,  & sowing 
clover  too,  I had  promised  myself  the  pleasure  of  a visit  to  Monticello 
on  tomorrow,  & I still  hope  that  it  will  be  in  my  power  to  do  it,  in  the 
course  of  a week.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Divers.) 

Monticello  Mar.  i6.  ii. 

I send  the  bearer  for  a bushel  and  a half  of  timothy  seed,  which  I will 
replace  in  your  hands  as  soon  as  it  can  be  purchased  the  ensuing  season. 
I send  you  a larger  supply  of  Asparagus  beans.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  17^  Mar.  1811 

I send  you  a bushel  & a half  of  Timothy  seed  which  is  all  I have,  it 
will  not  be  wanted  till  September  next.  You  expressed  a wish  some 
time  ago  for  some  of  the  Monthly  Rasp-berry  which  I now  send  you. 

. . . Accept  my  thanks  for  Asparagus  beans,  and  the  box  for  sowing 
clover  seed  which  I am  told  will  be  ready  tomorrow.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Divers.) 

Monticello  Mar.  18.  ’11. 

The  ground  I have  prepared  for  grass  along  a branch,  is,  in  several 
spots  too  dry  for  timothy,  and  especially  where  we  run  a little  up  hill, 
it  is  moreover  a red  soil;  thinking  it  will  be  better  to  put  these  spots  into 
oat-grass  if  you  can  spare  me  a little  seed  of  that,  I shall  be  thankful  for 
it.  it  will  serve  as  a commencement  to  raise  seed  from  as  I wish  to  go  a 
good  deal  into  that  kind  of  grass.  [Jefferson  sends  the  clover  box.] 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H,  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  de  Tesse.) 

Monticello  Mar.  27,  1811. 

Since  I had  last  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  you,  I have  to  acknolege 
the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  1809  June  12,  & Oct  9 & 1810  March  24. 
With  the  first  came  the  seeds  of  die  Paullinia  or  Koelreuteria,  one  of 
which  has  germinated,  and  is  now  growing.  I cherish  it  with  particular 


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i8n] 

attentions,  as  it  daily  reminds  me  of  the  friendship  with  which  you  have 
honored  me.  yours  of  Octob.  g,  mentions  the  having  sent  some 
Marrons  d’Inde  (Aesculus  hippocastanea)  perhaps  however  Marrons 
cultivees  (castanea  Sativa)  which  were  what  I requested.  These  how- 
ever got  into  the  hands  of  some  English  pirate.  I regret  it  the  more  as 
that  delicious  nut  has  never  yet  been  introduced  into  the  United  States, 
& altho’  the  nut  itself,  when  planted,  does  not  produce  uniformly  the 
same  fruit,  yet  it  is  said  to  do  it  generally.  I should  have  had  also  to 
regret  the  print  of  our  illustrious  & much  valued  friend  Humboldt,  had 
not  your  goodness  supplied  another  by  Count  Fahlen,  which  came  safe 
to  hand,  when  shall  I have  the  opportunity  of  returning  these  kind- 
nesses? in  other  words  when  will  the  ocean  be  freed  from  the  piracies 
which  have  so  long  shut  it  up?  nothing  would  give  me  so  much  pleas- 
ure as  to  prepare  annually  here  a box  of  what  we  have  acceptable  to  you, 
but  the  several  unsuccessful  efforts  which  I made  at  Washington,  one 
only  of  which  reached  you,  & that  in  bad  condition,  have  deterred  me 
from  the  attempt,  the  time  however  will  I hope  return  when  the 
restoration  of  peace  & safe  intercourse  may  enable  me  to  give  you  these 
proofs  of  my  wishes  to  contribute  to  your  happiness,  which  will,  in  that 
way,  become  a part  of  mine  also.  . . . (Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri, 
3:  114-115.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  Apr.  8.  ii. 

I have  been  long  wishing  for  an  opportunity,  by  someone  going  to 
Philadelphia  in  the  stage,  to  take  charge  of  a packet  of  seeds  for  you. 
it  is  too  large  to  trespass  on  the  post-mail.  I received  them  from  my 
old  friend  Thouin,  director  of  the  National  garden  of  France,  but  the 
advance  of  the  season  obliges  me  to  confide  them  to  a gentleman  going 
no  further  than  Washington,  there  to  look  out  for  some  one  going  on  to 
Philadelphia.  I have  added  to  them  a dozen  genuine  Glocester  hiccory 
nuts  of  the  last  season  sent  me  from  the  place  of  their  growth,  your 
favor  of  the  io‘'‘  ul“  came  safe  to  hand  with  the  seeds,  for  which  accept 
my  thanks,  you  enquire  whether  I have  a hot  house,  greenhouse,  or  to 
what  extent  I pay  attention  to  these  things.  I have  only  a green  house, 
and  have  used  that  only  for  a very  few  articles,  my  frequent  & long 
absences  at  a distant  possession  render  my  efforts  even  for  the  few 
greenhouse  plants  I aim  at,  abortive,  during  my  last  absence  in  the 
winter,  every  plant  I had  in  it  perished.  I have  an  extensive  flower 
border,  in  which  I am  fond  of  placing  handsome  plants  or  fragrant. 
those  of  mere  curiosity  I do  not  aim  at,  having  too  many  other  cares  to 
bestow  more  than  a moderate  attention  to  them,  in  this  I have  placed 
the  seeds  you  were  $0  kind  as  to  send  me  last,  in  it  I have  also  growing 
the  fine  tulips,  hyacinths,  tuberoses  & Amaryllis  you  formerly  sent  me. 
my  wants  there  are  Anemones,  Auriculas,  Ranunculus,  Crown  Imperials 
& Carnations:  in  the  garden  your  fine  gooseberries,  Hudson  & Chili 
strawberries : some  handsome  l^ies.  but  the  season  is  now  too  far  ad- 
vanced. during  the  next  season  they  will  be  acceptable,  small  parcels 


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of  seed  may  come  by  post;  but  bulbs  are  too  bulky.  We  have  always 
medical  students  in  Philadelphia  coming  home  by  the  stage  when  their 
lectures  cease  in  the  fall  who  would  take  charge  of  small  packages,  or 
they  may  come  at  any  time  by  vessels  bound  to  Richmond,  addressed  to 
the  care  of  Mess”  Gibson  & Jefferson.  I have  put  into  your  packet 
some  Benni  seed,  we  now  raise  it  and  make  from  it  our  own  sallad  oil 
preferable  to  such  olive  oil  as  is  usually  to  be  bought.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  F.  A.  Michaux.) 

Monticello  Apr.  15,  1811. 

I have  duly  received  your  favor  of  Aug.  10  and,  with  it,  your 
beautiful  account  of  the  pines  & firs  of  our  country,  for  which  be 
pleased  to  accept  my  thanira.  I sincerely  wish  the  work  may  be  prose- 
cuted, & that  the  citizens  of  the  U.  S.  may  not  be  wanting  in  due  en- 
couragement to  it.  nothing  should  be  spared  which  I could  do  to  be- 
friend it.  Accept  my  best  wishes  that  you  may  enjoy  health  to  con- 
tinue your  useful  labors.  . . . {Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri,  3;  115- 
116.) 

(John  Dortie  to  Jefferson.) 

New  York,  April  24,  1811. 

[Mr.  Dortie  wrote  Jefferson  that  he  had  some  seeds  sent  him  from 
Paris.  Jefferson  later  wrote  him  that  they  were  from  Thoiiin,  and  for 
him  to  send  them  on  to  Bernard  McMedion  of  Philadelphia.]  {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Joel  Barlow  to  Jefferson.) 

May  2,  1811. 

[Mr.  Barlow  sends  the  following  seeds  to  Jefferson :] 

Caspian  wheat 
Mammoth  Rye 
Persian  Barley. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  May.  4.  1 1. 

My  old  friend  Thouin,  Director  of  the  National  garden  of  France 
has  just  sent  me  a fresh  parcel  of  seeds  which  he  ^us  describes.  ‘They 
consist  of  about  200.  species,  foreign  to  N.  America,  selected  from  among 
J.  the  large  trees,  the  wood  of  which  is  useful  in  the  arts.  2.  small  trees 
& shrubs,  ornamental  for  shrubberies,  3.  plants  vivacious  & picturesque. 
4.  flowers  for  parterres.  5.  plants  of  use  in  medicine  & all  the  bran^es 
of  rural  & domestic  economy.'  they  left  France  in  March  & I presume 
therefore  are  of  the  last  year’s  raising,  they  are  arrived  (in  a small 


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457 


box)  at  N.  York  in  the  care  of  mf  John  Dortie.  121.  William  Street, 
who  came  passenger.  I have  requested  him  to  address  them  to  you  by 
one  of  the  Philadelphia  stages,  on  the  assurance  that  you  will  pay  the 
stage  transportation,  which  I have  no  means  of  doing,  accept  of  them 
if  you  please  with  the  assurance  of  my  great  esteem  & respect  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

Monticelloj  May  5,  1811. 

We  are  suffering  here,  both  in  the  gathered  and  the  growing  crop. 
The  lowness  of  the  river,  and  great  quantity  of  produce  brought  to 
Milton  this  year,  render  it  almost  impossible  to  get  our  crops  to  market 
This  is  the  case  of  mine  as  well  as  yours,  and  the  Hessian  fly  appears 
alarmingly  in  our  growing  crops.  Everything  is  in  distress  for  the  want 
of  rain.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  60.) 


(John  Dortie  to  Jefferson.) 

New  York  May  ii***.  1811. 

Agreeably  to  your  instruction  respecting  the  Garden  seed  sent  I for- 
warded it  today  to  Philadelphia  through  the  swift  sure  stage  with  the 
directions  to  Mr.  Bernard  McMahon. 

The  entry  of  that  box  was  made  with  many  other  things  and  the 
value  was  estimated  so  low  that  the  duty  can  not  be  calculated.  As  for 
the  freight,  it  is  over  paid  by  the  pleasure  I had  to  be  agreeable  to  your- 
self. I am  sorry  that  the  object  was  of  so  little  consideration.  What- 
ever be  the  case  you  may  depend  upon  my  care  as  much  as  you  may  be- 
lieve me  very  Respectfully.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Governor  John  Milledge.) 

Monticello  June  5.  ii. 

Our  cultivation  of  Benni  has  not  yet  had  entire  success,  the  i**.  year 
we  sowed  late  & the  frost  caught  it,  so  that  we  had  scarcely  seed  the  2^ 
year  to  raise  seed  for  the  3*.  we  have  at  length  made  in  the  neighbor- 
hood two  or  three  bushels.  I succeeded  in  expressing  the  oil  in  the  iron 
press  you  saw  at  Foxall’s.  but  the  iron  giving  a brown  tinge  to  the  off, 
altho  transparent  & free  from  taste,  I tried  a wooden  press,  on  the 
principle  of  that  for  flaxseed:  which  is  a Mortise  in  a bench,  into  one 
end  of  which  a small  bag  of  seed  is  put,  and  the  remaining  space  being 
filled  with  blocks,  a wedge  is  forced  between  them  by  a sledge  hammer 
& die  oil  drops  from  the  bag,  through  a hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  mortise, 
into  a vessel  below,  we  found  this  troublesome  & embarrassing,  and  1 
then  tried  a conceit  of  my  own.  it  is  a simple  mortise  in  a block,  6. 
In^es  square  & deep,  into  which  is  inserted  a stem  of  wood  2.  feet  long 
& pitted  nicely  to  slide  up  & down  in  the  mortise,  under  this  the  bag  of 
seed  is  placed  in  the  mortise,  & the  whole  put  under  the  beam  of  a cyder 
or  tobacco  press,  this  answered  best  of  all.  I had  but  one  bushel  of 


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seed,  & having  to  try  so  many  new  projects  before  any  one  succeeded,  I 
got  from  the  whole  but  one  gallon  of  oil.  I have  mentioned  these  essays 
at  presses  on  the  possibility  you  might  wish  to  make  the  oil  at  home. 
My  greatest  difEculty  now  is  in  separating  the  seed  from  the  broken 
partiaes  of  the  pod  & leaf,  if  we  attempt  to  winnow,  the  seed  is  so 
light  that  it  goes  of!  with  the  refuse  particles,  will  you  be  so  good  as  to 
inform  me  how  you  clear  the  seed  from  these  particles,  the  plant  ap- 
pears to  me  about  as  hardy  as  Cotton,  & consequently  our  climate  will 
barely  permit  us  to  make  enough  for  family  use.  ...  I have  written 
you  quite  a farmer's  letter.  I am  done  with  politics  and  have  banished 
all  it’s  passions,  except  the  love  of  free  government.  . . . {Jefferson 
PaperSj  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Isaac  Coles.) 

Monticello  June  la  11. 

. . . P.  S.  We  were  told  by  some  one  that  mfi  Coles  would  be  so 
kind  as  to  spare  us  some  bulbs  of  the  Mourning  bride,  altbo  the  season 
is  not  naturally  that  of  removing  roots,  yet  they  are  so  hardy  a plant,  that 
I have  supposed  it  possible  they  might  bear  it.  mri  Coles  is  a better 
judge;  and  if  she  thinks  the  removal  would  be  safe  I would  ask  a few: 
but  if  not  safe,  I would  rather  wait  a more  favorable  season.  . . . (Jef- 
ferson Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Isaac  A.  Coles  to  Jefferson.) 

Enniscorthy  June  lo***  1811. 

I have  been  intending  for  some  days  to  visit  Monticello,  & have  been 
prevented  from  doing  so  by  indisposition  which  has  confined  me  at  Home 
& which  I fear  may  still  prevent  me  from  executing  my  intention ; — If 
however  I am  not  worse  I will  be  with  you  on  Wednesday. 

The  Mourning  Bride  has  not  flourished  well  in  our  Garden,  & I send 
2 bulbs  which  were  all  that  could  be  safely  taken  from  the  only  remain- 
ing bunch  of  which  we  were  certain — from  another,  which  the  Gardener 
believed  to  be  Mourning  bride,  I have  also  sent  a few  roots,  around 
which  to  distinguish  them  from  the  others,  I directed  him  to  fold  a rag. 
As  they  are  taken  up  with  the  hard  earth  adhering  to  them,  I have  no 
doubt  but  that  they  will  succeed  perfectly.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Charles  Bankhead.) 

Monticello  June  10.  ii. 

. . . altho'  we  have  lately  had  very  seasonable  rains,  the  wheat  does 
not  get  over  the  injury  of  the  fly.  the  crop  will  be  light  except  in  the 
tobacco  grounds  & other  very  rich  lands,  the  Shoemakers  deliver  up  the 
mill  to  morrow  to  mf  Randolph  & M‘.Kenny,  who  have  bought  them 
out  at  considerable  sacrifices,  and  will  carry  on  the  business  in  partner- 
ship. the  Shoemakers,  under  all  their  bad  management,  have  ground  be- 


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i8ii] 

tween  7.  & 8000.  barrels  this  year,  on  which  they  confess  they  have  made 
a Dollar  a barrel.  I think  their  successors  will  receive,  at  least  60,000. 
bushels  of  wheat  a year,  without  buying  a bushel.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  Huntington;.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  July  3,  1811. 

...  we  are  in  the  midst  of  a so-so  harvest,  probably  one-third  short 
of  the  last.  We  had  a very  fine  rain  on  Saturday  last.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  64.) 

(Jefferson  to  David  B.  Warden.) 

Monticello  July  8.  ii. 

. , . Arthur  Young  carried  the  Sichorium  Intibus  from  France  to 
England,  & sent  some  seed  to  Gen’.  Washington  who  gave  me  a part, 
it  has  been  growing  here  in  abundance  & perfection  now  20.  years  with- 
out any  cultivation  after  the  first  transplanting.  I know  no  plant  so 
valuable  for  green  feeding,  and  mr  Strickland  told  me  they  cut  up  the 
dry  plant  in  England,  & fed  their  horses  with  it.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
Maryland  Historical  Society  and  L.  C.) 

(Governor  John  Milledge  to  Jefferson.) 

Near  Augusta,  Georgia, 
12*'*.  July  1811. 

I have  received  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  s’"  of  last  month.  I was 
apprehensive  that  Monticello  and  its  neighborhood’  would  be  too  cold 
for  the  bene  so  as  to  make  it  a profitable  article  of  cultivation  for  market. 
If  you  can  raise  a sufficiency  of  seed  for  your  own  use,  it  will  be  in  my 
opinion,  as  much  as  can  be  done.  Accept  my  warmest  thanks  for  com- 
municating your  different  essays  at  presses  for  making  of  the  oil.  1 have 
made  oil  for  my  own  use  and  neighbors  for  two  years  past,  it  took  me 
some  time  before  I succeeded,  and  now  with  very  little  trouble,  I can 
make  about  a gallon  and  a quart  of  pure  cold  drawn  oil,  to  a bushel  of 
seed.  I took  a block  of  sweet  gum,  4 feet  by  2^,  a mortise  in  the  centre, 
12  inches  long,  8 wide,  and  9 inches  deep,  an  inch  Auger  was  passed 
obliquely  through  it,  so  as  to  hit  the  centre  of  one  side  of  the  mortise  at 
the  bottom,  into  which  I introduced  a piece  of  gun  barrel  as  a tube  at 
the  bottom  of  the  mortise,  grooves  were  cut,  with  a chisel,  in  different 
directions,  gradually  made  deeper  as  they  inclined  to  the  tube,  strips  of 
sheet  iron  about  an  inch  wide,  and  nearly  the  length  of  the  mortise,  was 
placed  over  the  grooves,  about  3-8*’*  of  an  inch  apart.  In  my  first  essay 
I had  no  grooves,  a considerable  part  of  the  oil  was  forced  up,  little  ran 
out  at  the  tube.  I have  the  seed  bruised  in  a mortar,  then  put  into  a 
bag,  Irnitted  of  coarse  yarn,  the  bag  with  the  seed  is  placed  in  the  mortise, 
a piece  of  sweet  gum,  about  3 indies  thick,  made  exactly  to  occupy  the 
mortise,  is  put  on  the  bag,  a block  of  the  size  of  the  mortise  follows  next. 


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[i8u 


A large  wooden  screw,  which  I have  for  compressing  cotton  into  square 
cakes,  is  made  to  act  on  the  block,  the  lever  is  of  considerable  length, 
and  of  course  the  power  great.  Your  method  of  the  beam  must  answer 
equally  as  well  as  the  screw,  perhaps  better,  or  the  pressure  is  more 
gradual.  I was  impressed  with  the  belief,  that  the  beam  would  answer, 
and  recommended  it  last  winter  to  Mr.  Willis  Alston  of  North  Caro- 
lina. The  way  I have  hitherto  taken  to  clear  the  seed  of  the  refuse 
particles  is  by  wenches  riddling  the  seed  in  small  baskets,  in  the  same 
manner  that  is  done  with  corn,  to  take  the  husk  from  it,  after  being 
beat  for  hommony.  I some  times  charge  the  seed  by  wind,  putting  a 
bench  on  a sheet  for  a person  to  stand  on  and  lowering  and  raising  the 
seed,  according  to  the  force  of  the  wind.  I once  used  a wheat  fanner, 
the  only  objection,  the  sieve  was  too  coarse.  Col**,  Few  informs  me, 
that  a fanner  has  been  invented  for  the  bene  seed,  and  is  used  at  an  oil 
mill  on  second  river,  New  Jersey,  which  separates  the  seed  remarkably 
well.  The  rice  which  you  sent  me,  I distributed  among  some  of  our 
best  rice  planters  near  Savannah,  one  of  the  aquatic  kind,  is  said  to  be 
equal  if  not  superior,  to  the  rice  now  generally  Cultivated.  The  bearded 
rice  grows  well  on  high  land,  and  requires  only  the  usual  seasons  for 
bringing  Indian  Corn  to  perfection.  I will  have  the  result  of  the  ex- 
periments published. 

I intend  sending  to  our  friend  Gen*.  Smith  of  Baltimore,  a nice  barrel 
of  bene  seed  for  you,  with  a request  that  he  send  it  to  Richmond.  I 
think  you  will  find  a difference  in  the  weight  of  the  seed,  raised  in 
Georgia,  and  that  with  you.  I should  like  to  know  the  method  which 
is  used  in  the  Old  Country  to  clarify  oil,  I find  a sediment  after  the  oil 
remains  some  time  bottled,  and  it  retains  a vegetable  scent  which  ought 
to  be  remedied.  As  we  appear  to  have  somewhat  of  an  intercourse  with 
France,  would  you  be  desirous  of  making  a second  attempt  of  cotton 
seedl  it  is  only  to  inform  me,  and  it  shall  be  sent  to  whatever  port  you 
may  dictate.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Archibald  Stuart.) 

Monticello,  August  8,  1811. 

I ask  the  favor  of  you  to  purchase  for  me  as  much  fresh  timothy  seed 
as  the  enclosed  bill  will  pay  for,  pack  and  forward,  and  that  you  will 
have  the  goodness  to  direct  it  to  be  lodged  at  Mr,  Leitch’s  store  in 
Charlottesville  by  the  waggoner  who  brings  it.  You  see  how  bold  your 
indulgencies  make  me  in  intruding  on  your  kindness.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  71.).  [See  Account  Book,  August  8,  1811.] 

(Jefferson  to  Benjamin  Rush.) 

Poplar  Forest,  August  17,  1811. 

I write  to  you  from  a place  ninety  miles  from  Monticello,  near  the 
New  London  of  this  State,  which  I visit  three  or  four  times  a year,  and 
stay  from  a fortnight  to  a month  at  a time.  I have  fixed  myself  com- 


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461 


fortably,  keep  some  books  here,  bring  others  occasionally,  am  in  the 
solitude  of  a hermit,  and  quite  at  leisure  to  attend  to  my  absent  friends. 
. , . Having  to  conduct  my  grandson  through  his  course  in  mathe- 
matics, I have  resumed  that  study  with  great  avidity.  It  was  ever  my 
favorite  one.  We  have  no  theories  there,  no  uncertainties  remain  on 
the  mind;  all  is  demonstration  and  satisfaction.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  13;  74-7S<) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  W.  Peale.) 

Poplar  Forest,  August  20,  1811. 

...  I have  heard  that  you  have  retired  from  the  city  to  a farm,  and 
that  you  give  your  whole  time  to  that.  Does  not  the  museum  suffer? 
And  is  the  farm  as  interesting?  Here,  as  you  know,  we  are  all  farmers, 
but  not  in  a pleasing  style.  We  have  so  little  labor  in  proportion  to  our 
land  that,  although  perhaps  we  make  more  profit  from  the  same  labor, 
we  cannot  give  to  our  grounds  that  style  of  beauty  which  satisfies  the 
eye  of  the  amateur.  Our  rotations  are  corn,  wheat,  and  clover,  or  corn, 
wheat,  clover  and  clover,  or  wheat,  corn,  wheat,  clover  and  clover ; pre- 
ceding the  clover  by  a plastering.  But  some,  instead  of  clover,  substi- 
tute mere  rest,  and  all  are  slovenly  enough.  We  are  adding  the  care  of 
Merino  sheep.  I have  often  thought  that  if  heaven  had  given  me  choice 
of  my  position  and  calling,  it  should  have  been  on  a rich  spot  of  earth, 
well  watered,  and  near  a good  market  for  the  productions  of  the  garden. 
No  occupation  is  so  delightful  to  me  as  the  culture  of  the  earth,  and  no 
culture  comparable  to  that  of  the  garden.  Such  a variety  of  subjects, 
some  one  always  coming  to  perfection,  the  failure  of  one  thing  repaired 
by  the  success  of  another,  and  instead  of  one  harvest  a continued  one 
through  the  year.  Under  a total  want  of  demand  except  for  our  family 
table,  I am  still  devoted  to  the  garden.  But  though  an  old  man,  I am 
but  a young  gardener.  . . . But  Sundays  and  rainy  days  are  alwa^  days 
of  writing  for  the  farmer.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13: 

78-79-) 


(J.  Chambers  to  Jefferson.) 

New  York,  i6“.  Sept.  1811 

When  my  friend  D,  B.  Warden  was  last  here,  he  communicated 
to  me  a letter  of  yours  on  the  subject  of  the  Fiorin  Grass  mentioned  in 
the  Belfast  Ag.  Society’s  papers,  & requested  me  to  endeavor  to  procure 
some  of  it  for  you. 

I have  very  great  pleasure  in  now  informing  you,  that  in  consequmce 
of  having  written  to  a Botanical  friend  in  Belfast,  1 have  just  received 
a small  parcel  in  excellent  preservation,  & have  put  it  into  the  care  of 
M'.  Weightman,  Bookseller,  of  Washington  City  who  is  now  on  his  re- 
turn, & expects  to  be  in  that  City  in  about  a week,  & will  then,  search 
for  the  safest  conveyance  of  it  to  you — but  it  is  possible  you  may  be  able 
to  point  out  one  to  him,  upon  which  you  may  have  more  perfect  reliance. 


^^62  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i8ii 

The  parcel  is  too  large  to  convey  by  Post,  & I was  unwilling  to  divide  & 
put  it  into  so  small  a compass,  from  a fear  of  injury. 

This  Grass  has  been  chosen  by  a Gentleman  of  much  Botanical  knowl- 
edge, who  has  put  it  up  in  the  manner  directed  by  you  in  your  letter  to 
M'.  Warden ; & I hope  it  will  reach  you  in  perfect  safety,  & fully  answer 
the  expectations  you  entertain  of  it. 

Permit  me  to  express  the  satisfaction  I feel  in  having  an  opportunity 
of  paying  you  even  this  small  mark  of  attention.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers^ 

L.  C.) 

(Jefierson  to  J.  Chambers.) 

Monticello  Sep.  30.  ii. 

Your  favor  of  Sep.  16.  has  been  duly  received,  and  I pray  you  to  ac- 
cept my  thanks  for  the  trouble  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  take  in  ful- 
Ming  my  request  to  Mr.  Warden.  I had  been  impressed  with  the  value 
of  the  florin  grass  described  in  the  papers  of  the  Belfast  Agricultural  so- 
ciety, and  hoped  it  might  answer  good  purposes  here.  I have  ever  con- 
sidered the  addition  of  an  useful  plant  to  the  agriculture  of  a country  as 
an  essential  service  rendered  to  it,  the  merit  of  which  in  this  case  will  be 
entirely  yours.  Mr.  Weightman  to  whom  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to 
confide  the  grass,  will,  I doubt  not,  forward  it  safely,  the  stage  passing 
weekly  between  Washington  & Charlottesville  will  furnish  a safe  con- 
veyance. . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Dortie.) 

Monticello  Oct.  i.  ii. 

Your  favor  of  Aug.  14.  was  received  after  an  unusual  delay  of  the 
post.  I formerly  believed  it  was  best  for  every  country  to  make  what  it 
could  make  to  best  advantage,  and  to  exchange  it  with  others  for  those 
articles  which  it  could  not  so  well  make.  I did  not  then  suppose  that  a 
whole  quarter  of  the  globe  could  within  the  short  space  of  a dozen  years, 
from  being  the  most  civilized,  become  the  most  savage  portion  of  the 
human  race.  I am  come  over  therefore  to  your  opinion  that,  abandon- 
ing to  a certain  degree  those  agricultural  pursuits,  which  best  suited  our 
situation,  we  must  endeavor  to  make  every  thing  we  want  within  our- 
selves, and  have  as  little  intercourse  as  possible  with  Europe  in  it’s  pres- 
ent demoralised  state,  wine  being  among  the  earliest  luxuries  in  which 
we  indulge  ourselves,  it  is  desirable  it  should  be  made  here  and  we  have 
every  soil,  aspect  Sc  climate  of  the  best  wine  countries,  and  I have  myself 
drank  wines  made  in  this  state  & in  Maryland,  of  the  quality  of  the  best 
Burgundy,  in  answer  to  your  enquiries  respecting  soils  & their  depth, 
in  this  state,  I can  only  say  in  general  that  any  character,  & any  depth 
of  soil  required  may  be  found  in  the  different  parts  of  the  state.  I am 
best  acquainted  with  James  river,  and  may  therefore  affirm  this  fact 
more  certainly  as  to  that,  the  low  grounds  of  that  river  are  a deep 
vegetable  mould,  the  same  for  20.  P.  depth.  I live  in  a mountainous 
country,  the  vegetable  mould  of  which  is  from  6,  to  12.  inches  deep,  &, 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


i8n] 


463 


below  that,  many  feet  of  fertile  loam  without  any  sand  in  it.  but  these 
soils  are  probably  too  rich  to  make  fine  wine,  the  Italian,  Mazzei,  who 
came  here  to  make  wine,  fixed  on  these  South  West  mountains,  having  a 
S.  E.  aspect,  and  abundance  of  lean  & meagre  spots  of  stony  & red  soil, 
without  sand,  resembling  extremely  the  Cote  of  Burgundy  from  Cham- 
bertin  to  Monrachet  where  the  famous  wines  of  Burgundy  are  made. 

I am  inclined  to  believe  he  was  right  in  preferring  the  South  Eastern 
face  of  this  ridge  of  mountains,  it  is  the  first  ridge,  from  the  sea,  begins 
on  the  North  side  of  James  river,  & extends  North  Eastwardly,  thro’  the 
state  under  the  diffeient  names,  in  different  parts  of  it,  of  the  Green 
Mountain,  the  Southwest  Mountains,  and  Bull  run  mountains,  doubt- 
less however,  other  parts  of  the  state  furnish  the  proper  soil  & climate, 
beyond  the  blue  ridge  the  climate  becomes  severe,  & I should  suppose  less 
favorable,  this.  Sir,  is  as  much  as  my  scanty  knolege  of  the  subject  will 
permit  me  to  say.  . . . (Jefferson  PaperSj  L.  C.) 

(R.  C.  Weightman  to  Jefferson.) 

Washington,  Oct.  12,  1811. 

M'.  Chambers  of  N.  York  put  into  my  charge  a parcel  of  Fiorin  grass 
recently  received  from  Ireland,  with  directions  to  take  the  earliest  and 
safest  mode  of  conveyance  to  Monticello.  Since  my  return  home  I have 
had  it  boxed  and  directed  to  the  care  of  the  post  master  at  Fredericks- 
burg. M'.  W".  B.  Randolph  did  me  the  favor  to  take  charge  of  the 
box  and  will  deliver  it  safely  into  the  hands  of  the  post  master.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Roger  C.  Weightman.) 

Monticello,  Oct.  19,  ’ii. 

I have  duly  received  your  favor  of  the  rath  and  also  the  parcel  of 
fiorin  grass  of  which  you  were  so  kind  as  to  take  charge  and  for  your 
care  of  which  I pray  you  to  accept  my  thanks.  It  has  been  immediately 
planted,  and  every  care  will  be  taken  to  add  it  to  the  useful  grasses  of 
our  country.  . . . (Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri,  3:  116.) 

(Jefferson  to  Archibald  Stuart.) 

Monticello,  Nov.  14,  il. 

We  have  safely  received  the  cask  of  timothy  seed,  and  also  the  very 
excellent  parcel  of  butter  which  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  send  us  j for 
which  be  pleased  to  accept  my  thanks,  or  perhaps  I should  more  properly 
request  you  to  tender  them  with  my  respects  to  mrs.  Stuart.  (Ford, 
Jefferson  Correspondence:  aoi.) 

From  the  Farm  Book  1811: 

1811.  May.  I think  the  road  from  the  Pierhead  up  the  riverside,  about 
60.  or  70.  yards  which  is  now  finished,  has  cost  about  100.  D. 


464 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1811 

it  took  22.  lbs.  of  powder,  about  i4'  days  work  of  2.  men  & a. 
boys  blowing  call  then  43.  days  repair  of  augers,  about  90.  days 
work  of  common  laborers  last  year,  & about  iS-  days  work,  of 
common  labourers  now. 

Lego 

i8ii.  clear  adjoining  the  Belted  grounds  for  tob®. 
clean  up  Hickman's  field  for  corn. 

Squarefield.  wheat. 

Culpepper,  enlarge  to  40  a®.  & sow  wheat. 

[ ?]  field  wheat  or  oats  & clover. 

aim  as  soon  as  possible  at  getting  3.  fields  of  80.  a®,  each  for  thi? 
rotation,  to  wit: 

I field,  half  in  corn,  half  in  peas,  oats  or  millet : 

& in  the  next  rotation  change  the  halves. 

1.  in  wheat  80.  a*. 

1.  in  clover  80.  a*,  and 

a fourth  field,  as  fast  as  we  can,  to  be  in  clover  also, 
the  A and  Dry  field  will  be  one. 
the  Oblong  & □ field  another. 

Hickman’s  and  the  Belted  field  a third. 

Culpeper  etc.  a 4*. 

‘ From  the  Account  Book  iSog-zSzo: 

July  2.  agreed  this  day  with  E.  Bacon  that  his  wages  shall  be  £ 40. 

Aug.  3.  bought  of  W“.  D.  Meriwether  26.  ewes 

12.  ewe  lambs 
5.  weather  lambs 

43  @ 2 D.  86. 

August  4.  agreed  with  Jeremiah  Goodman  to  serve  me  next  year  as 
Overseer  in  Bedford  over  a plantation  & 16.  hands,  for 
which  I am  to  give  him  200.  D.  a year,  & all  other  articles 
to  stand  as  by  our  original  agreement. 

Aug.  8.  inclosed  to  Judge  Stewart  [Stuart]  lO.  D.  to  buy  timothy 
seed.  [See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Stuart,  August  8.] 

Planting  Memorandum  for  Poplar  Forest  j8ii: 

1811,  Feb.  27.  planted  30.  gooseberries.  W.  end  of  the  patch 

II.  grapes  of  one  kind!  S.  side  of  d®.  & E. 
21.  d®.  of  another  ) end. 

rose  bushes)  xt  ‘j  ^ m j 

bear  grass  } 

pinks,  in  locks  of  fence  N.  & W. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


i8ii] 


465 


50  cutting  of  Athenian  poplar.  Nursery  next 
N.  fence  between  a.  stables, 
prepared  bed  next  Southwardly  for  tomatas 
next  d®.  lettuce 

next  d”.  80.  f.  long  for 
Asparagus. 

planted  16.  raspberries  along  side  of  the  gooseberries 
25.  cutting  of  Weep®,  willow  along  side  of 
the  Ath.  poplars. 

Memo”,  plant  on  each  mound 

4.  weeping  willows  on  the  top  in  a square 
20.  f.  apart. 

Golden  willows  in  a circle  round  the 
middle.  15.  f.  apart. 

Aspens  in  a circle  round  the  foot.  15.  f. 
apart. 

plant  6.  weeping  willows  round  each 
Cloadnal. 

Aug.  13.  I find  growing  in  the  truck  patch  30.  golden  willows. 

20.  weeping  d^ 

10.  Athenian  poplars. 

3.  Lombardy  poplars. 

2.  Aspens. 

(Jefferson  Papers,  U,  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  A.  Goodman.) 

[Memorandum  Poplar  Foresi\  Dec.  1811. 

The  crop  of  the  Tomahawk  plantation  for  1812. 

corn,  oats  & peas.  The  Shopfield,  the  best  parts  of  it  64.  acres 
the  Eastern  parts  of  M’Daniel’s  field  36.  acres 

100. 

of  the  above,  put  about  three  fourths  into  corn,  of  the  best  parts,  the 
rest  in  oats  & peas,  there  will  still  remain  about  16.  a*,  of  the  Shopfield 
for  Burnet. 

Wheat  & oats,  the  Ridgefield  130.  a".  Early’s  54.  Upper  Toma- 
hawk 25.  in  all  209.  acres. 

tobacco,  half  of  the  2.  year  old  ground  15.  a*,  the  ground  on  the 
road  cleared  & not  tended  last  year  10.  acres  about  2.  now  cut  down, 
& perhaps  some  parts  of  the  meadow  ground,  as  this  is  more  than  can 
be  tended,  perhaps  the  10.  a*,  on  the  road,  or  part  of  them  may  go 
into  corn. 

In  general  I would  wish  4.  a",  of  meadow  ground  to  be  prepared,  to 
be  tended  one  year  in  tob®.  and  8.  or  10.  a",  of  high  ground  to  be  tended 
2.  years  in  tob®.  which  will  give  from  20.  to  24.  a®,  of  tob®.  every  year, 
the  high  land  for  this  year  1812.  is  to  be  cleared  on  the  South  side  of 
Tomahawk  creek,  between  the  upper  & lower  fields,  but  as  to  the 


Jefpekson's  Garden  Book 


466 


[i8n 


meadow  ground,  I wish  as  much  as  possible  to  be  prepared,  of  that 
which  is  easiest  to  prepare,  & to  be  tended  in  tob“.  pumpkins,  peas  or 
whatever  will  best  suit  it,  Sc  clean  it,  to  be  sown  in  timothy  in  the  Fall, 
the  parts  already  dean  should  be  sown  this^  spring. 

All  the  ground  which  is  in  wheat,  or  which  will  be  in  oats.  Sc  turned 
out  to  rest,  is  to  be  sown  in  clover  in  February,  and  Burnet,  if  I can  get 
seed,  is  to  be  sown  in  the  old  South  hill  side  of  the  Shop  held. 

An  acre  of  the  best  ground  for  hemp,  is  to  be  selected,  & sown  in 
hemp  & to  be  kept  for  a permanent  hemp  patch. 

The  laborers  for  the  Tomahawk  plantation  are  to  be  the  following: 
Men.  Dick,  Jesse,  Gawen,  Phill  Hubard,  Hercules,  Manuel,  Evans. 
Women.  Betty,  Dinah,  Cate’s  Hanah,  Gawen’s  Sd,  Agg,  Lucinda, 
Dinah's  Han^,  Amy,  Milly. 

Nace,  the  former  headman,  and  the  best  we  have  ever  known,  is  to  be 
entirdy  kept  from  labour  until  he  recovers,  which  will  probably  be  very 
long,  he  may  do  any  thing  which  he  can  do  sitting  in  a warm  room, 
such  as  shoemaking  and  making  baskets,  he  can  shell  corn  in  the  corn 
house  when  it  is  quite  warm,  or  in  his  own  house  at  any  time. 

Will  & Hal,  when  they  have  no  work  in  the  shop,  are  to  get  their  coal 
wood,  or  assist  in  the  crop,  they  will  make  up  for  the  loss  of  Hanah’s 
work,  who  cooks  Sc  washes  for  me  when  1 am  here,  the  smith’s  should 
make  the  plantation  nails  of  the  old  bits  of  iron. 

Edy  b not  named  among  the  field  workers,  because  either  she  or  Aggy, 
whichever  shall  be  thought  most  capable,  is  to  be  employed  in  weaving, 
and  will  be  wanting  to  clean  the  house  and  assist  here  a part  of  the  day 
when  I am  here,  until  a loom  can  be  got  ready  both  may  be  in  the 
ground. 

Bess  makes  the  butter  during  the  season,  to  be  sent  to  Monticello  in 
the  winter,  when  not  engaged  in  the  dairy,  she  can  spin  coarse  on  the 
big  wheel.  Abby  has  been  a good  spinner,  they  may  each  .of  them 
take  one  of  the  young  spinners,  to  spin  with  them  in  their  own  house, 
& under  their  care,  in  that  way  one  wheel  will  serve  for  two  per- 
sons. the  spinners  are  to  be  Marie  (Nanny’s)  Sally  (Hanah’s)  Lucy 
(Dinah’s)  and  Nby  (Maria’s),  this  last  may  spin  at  her  grandmother 
Cate’s  Sc  under  her  care ; and  so  may  Maria  who  is  her  niece,  & whose 
mother  will  be  there,  they  had  better  spin  on  the  small  whed. 

2.  cotton  wheds  will  suffice  for  Abby  & Bess  and  the  2.  girls  with 
them,  & a flax  wheel  apiece  for  each  of  the  other  two  girls,  hemp 
should  be  immediately  prepared  to  set  them  at  work,  & a supply  be 
kept  up ; and  as  there  will  be  no  wool  to  spin  till  May,  mis  Gorman 
may  employ  the  wool  spinners  for  hersdf  till  then,  if  she  chuses.  what- 
ever terms  have  been  settled  between  mrs  Bacon  & mrs  Randolph,  shall 
be  the  same  with  her.  (I  do  not  know  what  they  are)  and  as  a com- 
pensation for  teaching  Aggy  or  Edy  to  weave,  I propose  to  give  her  the 
usual  price  for  all  the  weaving  she  may  do  for  me,  the  first  year,  con- 
sidering it  as  her  apprenticeship:  and  that  afterwards  she  shall  have  the 
same  proportion  of  her  time  as  she  is  to  have  of  the  spinners. 

Several  of  the  negro  women  complain  that  their  houses  want  repair 
badly,  this  should  be  attended  to  every  winter,  for  the  present  winter. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


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467 


repair,  of  preference  those  of  the  women  who  have  no  husbands  to  do  it 
for  them,  the  removal  of  so  many  negroes  from  this  to  the  other  place 
will  require  a good  deal  of  work  there  to  lodge  them  comfortably,  this 
should  be  done  at  once,  by  the  gangs  of  both  places  joined. 

10.  bushels  of  clover  seed  to  be  got  early  from  Cofe,  for  the  2.  planta' 
tions.  fresh  seed. 

The  ground  laid  off  for  my  garden  is  to  be  inclosed  with  a picquet 
fence,  7.  feet  high,  & so  close  that  a hare  cannot  get  into  it.  it  is  80. 
yards  square,  & will  take,  I suppose  about  2400.  rails  8.  f.  long,  besides 
the  running  rails  & stakes,  the  sheep  to  be  folded  in  it  every  night. 

As  soon  as  a boat  load  of  tob".  is  ready,  it  must  be  sent  down  to  Gib- 
son & Jefferson  in  Richmond,  & an  order  given  the  boatman  on  them 
for  the  price  of  the  carriage,  good  enquiry  should  be  made  before  hand 
for  responsible  faithful  boatmen,  mf  Griffin  knows  them  well;  mf 
Robinson  also  will  advise. 

If  a physician  should  at  any  time  be  wanting  for  the  negroes,  let  our 
neighbor  D'.  Steptoe  be  called  in.  In  pleurisies,  or  other  highly  inflam- 
matory fevers,  intermitting  fevers,  dysenteries,  & Venereal  cases,  the 
doctors  can  give  certain  relief;  and  the  sooner  called  to  them  the  easier 
& more  certain  the  cure,  but  in  most  other  cases  they  oftener  do  harm 
than  good,  a dose  of  salts  as  soon  as  they  are  taken  is  salutary  in  al- 
most all  cases,  & hurtful  in  none.  I have  generally  found  this,  with  a 
lighter  diet  and  kind  attention  restore  them  soonest,  the  lancet  should 
never  be  used  without  the  advise  of  a physician,  but  in  sudden  accidents, 
a supply  of  sugar,  molasses  and  salts  should  be  got  from  mr  Robinson  & 
kept  in  the  house  for  the  sick,  there  are  2.  or  3.  cases  of  ruptures  among 
the  children  at  the  two  plantations,  to  which  the  Doctor  should  be  im- 
mediately called,  & great  attention  paid  to  them,  as  if  not  cured  now, 
they  will  be  lost  for  ever. 

The  workhorses  are  to  be  equally  divided  between  the  2.  places,  and 
one  more  apeice  to  be  purchased  if  good  ones  can  be  got  on  good  terms 
and  on  credit  till  the  sale  of  our  tob°.  say  April  or  May.  a pair  of  well 
broke  oxen,  not  above  middle  age  is  to  be  set  apart  for  Monticello;  & 
the  rest  equally  divided,  the  cattle,  sheep,  & hogs  to  be  equally  divided 
as  to  numbers,  ages,  sexes  &c  but  when  the  cows  begin  to  give  milk  in 
the  spring  of  the  year,  reserving  at  Bear  creek  enough  for  the  overseer 
& negroes,  the  surplus  milch  cows  must  come  to  Tomahawk  for  the 
butter  season,  to  make  a supply  for  Monticello.  the  carts  & tools 
equally  divided. 

Of  the  28.  hogs  at  Bear  creek,  the  39  in  the  pen  at  Tomahawk  & 8. 
more  expected  at  the  same  place,  in  all  75.  30  of  the  fattest  must  be 
sent  to  Monticello,  2 be  given  to  the  2.  hogkeepers  Jame  Hub*'.  & Hal, 
28.  be  kept  for  the  negroes  & harvest,  & 15  to  furnish  the  allowance  to 
the  2 overseers,  & what  remains  of  the  15  after  furnishing  them,  to  be 
kept  for  my  use  while  here,  the  offal  of  the  28.  hogs  for  the  negroes 
and  of  those  for  myself  will  serve  them,  it  is  expected,  6.  weeks  or  2. 
months  before  entering  on  the  distribution  of  meat  to  them  regularly. 
(Courtesy  of  Dr.  A.  S.  W.  Rosenbach.) 


468  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1811 


Jefferson’s  plan  for  the  Orchard,  1811: 


the  vacancies  to  be  filled  in  1811.  as  follows 


e.  7.  cherries. 

h.  15.  pippins 

i.  7.  Spitzenbp 

j.  II.  calvites 

k.  I.  qu?  16. 

l.  16.  paccans. 

m.  6 pears. 

n.  I +0.  3.  +p. 


viz.  —I.  a.  +1.  4.  6.  7.  8. 

— I.  +a.  3.  5.  7.  13,  14.  16.  18.  19.  42.  23. 
24.  25.  26. 

+5.  8. 13. 16. 17.  24.  26. 

—I.  2.  4-2.  9.  12.  13.  16.  17.  24.  25.  26. 

—2.  4-1. 2. 6.  8. 13. 16. 20.  23. 24.  25. 26.  27. 
28,  31. 36. 

I.  4-9.  II.  29.  33. 

3.  4-q.  I.  “8.  Taliafers. 


1811.  Mar.  16.  in  the  row  e.  I found  4-5.  d 

therefore  platUed  e— 1—24-14-4+5  with  Tuckahoe  grey 
hearts  from  mr  Coles  [See  Garden  Book,  March  16,  x8ii,  and 
plate  XXXII.] 

{Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 


i8ia.> 


Fruits. 


S 


I 

P 

s 


ri'*. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 
r VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 


b 

■s 

o 


Roots. 


a 


il-S  . 

If 


Leaves. 


I 


CA 


1812 


Arrangement  of  the  Garden.* 

7.  beds  of  Asparagus,  at  S.W.  end 
square.  Peas.  Hotspur. 
Peas.  Leadman’s  dwarfs. 
d“ 
d» 

Beans.  Snap. 
d“. 

Haricots,  red 

Cucumbers 
Gerkins 

1.3.3.  Nasturtium. 

4.5.6.  Melons. 

7.8.9.  Melongena. 
10.11.13.  Capsicum. 
Tomataa. 

Okra. 

Ardckokes. 

Squashes. 

Carrots. 

Salsafia 
Beets 
Garlic. 

Leeks. 

Onions. 

Scallions.*  Shalota 
Radish 
Lettuce 
Enifive 
Corn  sallad. 

Terragon. 

I XVIII.  Celery. 

( XIX.  SjMnach. 

Sorrel 
Mustard. 

Sea  kale. 

Cauliflower 
Broccoli. 

XXII.  Cabbage  early. 

XXIII.  Savoy. 

I XXIV.  Kale  Sorout 


X 

XI. 

i.XIL 

XIII. 

XIV. 


I,  XV. 

XVI. 

XVII. 


XX. 

XXL 


I^N.  W. 


Border 


Frame 

Peas. 

^ Snaps 
Windsors 
^ Cucumbers 

Capucum. 

^ Tomatas, 

^ Strawberries. 

Radish 
Lettuce 
Endive 
Corn  sallad 
Terragon 


S^nacb. 

Brassica  pla 


469 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


471 


where  when  transpl^  come  to  table  gone  Miscellanies. 


47a 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


473 


i8ia] 


i8ia. 

Calendar  for  this  year. 

Feb.  I. 

manure  & make  up  hop-hilla. 

Asparagus,  dress  Sc  replant, 

15.  Frame  peas 

Radish  Sc  lettuces.  XIII 
Spinach.  XII 

early  Cabbage 
Savoys 

Mar.  I,  Peas  Frame,  1*'.  or  submural  terrace 
Hotspurs.  II. 

Ledmans  I. 

Potatoes,  early,  strait  terras  i,f. 

Strawberries.  Hudson,  s'*.  Ter.  i.a. 

Alpine.  Circular  Terras4.s. 

15.  Nasturtium.  IX.i.a,3, 

Tomatas.  X. 

Artichokes.  XI. 

Carrots  XIII. 

.j*.  Ter.  C. 

Beets  XlV.a. 

Garlic.'  XIV.3. 

Leeks.  XIV4. 

Onions.  XV. 

Chives.*  XVI.1. 

Shalots.  XVl.a. 

'rS}xVIL.. 

Seakale.  Circ.T.3. 

Hops.’  .3*.T.b. 

Summ'  turneps  3*.T.e, 

Apr.  1.  Peas  Ledman’s.  III. 

Snaps.  V. 

Capsicum  Major.  IX.10. 

Bull  nose.  IX.ii. 

Cayenne.  IX.ia 
Mustard  Durham.  XII 
Salsaiia.  XIV.  3.T.d. 
lettuce,  radishes.  XVII.1. 
terragon.  XVII. 
long  haricots.  Circ.T.7. 

Lima  beans.  Circ.T.8.a. 

Corn  Pani,  Ciro.T.8.ti.  & orchard. 
Ravensworths.  Circ.T.io^.b.  A orchard, 
cow  peas.  Circ.Ter.II.a.b.  & orchard. 

15,  Peas  Ledmans.  IV. 

Snaps.  VI. 

Cucumbers.  Gerkins.  VIII. 

Melons.  IX4.j.6. 

Melongena.  white  IX./.  purple  8.  prickly  9. 
Okra.  X, 

Squashes  XU. 

lettuce,  radishes.  XVII.3. 

Sorrel.  .3.T.e. 

May.  X.  red  Haricots.  VII. 

lettuce,  radishes.  XVILa. 
homony  beans.  Circ.TJl.b. 

Swedish  Turneps.  Cire.T.9***i>. 


474 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1812 


May.  June.  July,  take  up  flower  bulba.  separate  offsets,  replant  lillies. 

Aug.  1$.  Spinach.  Lettuce. 

Sep.  I.  BOW  spinach.  Lettuce. 

October,  dress  flower  borders  & set  out  bulbs. 

Oct.  cover  figs  and  tender  plants,  litter  Asparagus  beds. 

Nov.  I plant  trees,  privet,  thorn 

Dee.  rtrim  trees,  vines,  rasp,  gooseb.  currants,  turf,  bring  in  manure 
Jan.  J and  trench  it  into  hills. 


Mar.  28. 


Apr.  S. 

Apr.  8. 
*7- 

June.  25. 

July  23. 
Mat.  12, 


E.  Vineyard.  Mar.  26. 

Terras.  4*".  B.  end.  Sweet  scented  grass  seed 

5.  d°.  a grass  from  Gen'.  Mason.' 

6"'.W.  end.  rye  grass."  Ronaldson* 

7.  yellow  clover."  R 

8. 

9 Oats  Scotch."  R. 

to  'd®.  red.  Tuscany 

XI.  ‘barley”  naked 

12.  Tares.”  R 

13.  Scarcity  root”  R 

14  Parsneps  R 

15  Scorzonera.”  R 

id Cabbage,  red.  R 

17  Aberdeen  R 

18  large  Cattle  R 

19  Kale  Russian.  R. 

the  articles  marked  R.  were  sent  me  by  mr  Ronaldsoit  from  Edinbg. 
towed  in  Square  XII.  beg*,  on  the  West  aide  in  rows, 
row  t‘*.  Cauliflower 
r Broccoli  white 

green 

purple 

Cabbage.  May 

dwarf  • 

.......  sugar  loaf 

Savoy  green 

yellow 

Sprouts  Brussels. 

N.  end  Spinach  Prickly.} 

dower  borders."  Apr.  8.  laid  them  off  into  compartm".  of  io.f. 

length  each. 

in  the  N,  borders  are 

in  the  S.  borders  are  44!/®  roptm  . 

the  odd  Compartments  are  for  bulbs  requir®.  taking  up 

the  even  ones  for  seeds  Ic  permanent  bulba. 

denote  the  inner  borders  J.  and  the  outer  .0. 

sowed  Bellflower  ” in  28.  on  both  sideal  ^ .In- 

African  Marigold  ” 32®.  d®. 

White  poppy  ” 42®.  N.  and  44**.  S. 

Asparagus  comes  to  table. 

Arbor  beans " white,  scarlet,  crimson,  purple,  at  the  trees  of  the 
level  on  both  sides  of  terrasses,  and  on  long  walk  of  garden. 

E.  Vineyard. 

terras  ao.  Polygonum  Tartaricum.”  buckwheat 
ax.  Panicum  Virgatum.”  Guinea  millet, 
last  dish  of  artichokes. 

planted  in  the  la.  1.  boxes,  N®.  IV.  red  gooseberry 

V.  Lewis’  sweetscented  Currant. 
Odoratissima. 


4“. 

s“*. 

7*‘ 

8“ 

P'” 

10“ 

bed.  II. 


terchange  of  place  be- 
tween one  of  the  parcels 
of  bellflower  tc  Poppy. 


Plate  XXXIII. — Page  45  of  the  origmal  Garden-  Book;  ‘'Arrangement  of  the 
Garden,”  1812.  This  shows  Jefferson’s  detail^  arrangement  and  planting  in  the 
vegetable  garden.  The  garden  was  divided  into  three  terraces,  called  ^atforraa. 
The  Roman  numerals  mark  the  numbers  of  the  squares. 


i9n 

Sjvy^nfuAt  yt 

Cctv^i'wd^Mtfi, 

/•Wftve , Jw 

t /ttunxan^  I , 

/«>«trM  &x«^  f.f 

SAfOit/luirm^  /A^Mn  / * 

ii/n*4.  A'TCu.Ctfr  ?</t»-if  ,<  i*. 
^1*  7Uj/0iAu«v  !*#'»'» 

7fyf4it»^  % 

Av£<W^  Xt 
CenriU  VU 
_ y'>  e 

ZUi 

^A«Z.«  Xtv  « 

K\y  ^ 

fS55i.^i'«i 

-UkAi-  ' 

Jub^e«£sA 4 

^ *!i(t 

Vwvsnm  4«vtu^i 
fyvr*  I 7<«  I i!c^>t>»v 
jrwi^i  V, 

?^<4i£tWM  \^u 


75i*T»*  j(^  ^ i «■«<*? 
^ ^ ^^riui fr**^ 


9 

/^ 

// 

/2 

n 

M 

/f 

/i 

f7 

/B 

ff* 


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ifi/tf/X  A 

‘*V^>V«4)  yuAUvitM 

Scd^^SCtjryr^  A 

R 

- «^*tfyawn^«*  A 

‘ICl^  A ^ 

^ au^u^ti 

QJIfitt  A 


lu. 


• w «v  /t*  t'u**!'' »~  > " 


1 


PUMtM;JI  a4ir^*f*i  XM. 

4o£i^4V)<1< 

(Vhj  1 ^ 

tfffT"  f^unk"*  d«y<  ^ 

R^MAT«4Wy^^Ct.y^  » /<»  • ^ V«r*/k**' 
I (t  V«r«k«pk4^ 

^ <wM  LV 

5n«i?v 

tnciCr^  IK  4 ^ O ^ 

!<f,  , l!^‘'^t> 


W** 

f«-'. 

L.. 

' rt*  5 itary^frr 


31  f'  „ . 

--oil 

^yr^la^^»<^•wn.<rt»*»»  , JU  ! , IJ 

/«WM  fM^*^a4t9rtil'rn*^1«  A^JfgpnviwlTrtMXM^r*  '»ujl«S(W 


s 


1.  .WaV 


u 


FLA,rrB  XXXIV.— Page  48  of  the  original  Garitn  Book,  Note:  “flower  borders. 
Apr.  8.  laid  them  oCF  into  compartm^.  oi  laf.  length  each.” 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


475 


i8ia] 


VI.  L's  Snowberry  bush. 

VII.  Vi  Yellow  currant. 

talso  planted  3.  plants  ot  same  gooseberry  in  the  3^  strait  terras  or 
upper  Terras  of  Gooseberry  Sq.  at  S.W.  end. 
ri.  currants,  same,  in  the  s*  & 4 • strait  terras  or  3"*.  & 
3*  raspberry  terrasses.  S.W.  end.  ribes  odoratiss"* 
9.  Yellow  Currants  in  the  7“.  and  S"*  terrasses  or  i'*.  & 
Currant  terrasses.  S.W.  end. 

8.  Cape  grapes  for  wine  in  the  a**  terras  or  i**.  terras  of 
E.  Vineyard.  S.W.  end. 

6.  d°.  for  wine  or  eating,  z*  terras  of  d°. 

S.W.  end. 

all  the  above  were  from  M°.  Mahon,” 

planted  40.  plants  of  Hudson  strawberry  from  d°.  in  the  Strait  Ter- 
ras. a,  + 3. 

Mar.  17.  & 18.  planted  as  follows. 

d.  38.  to  36.  9 soft  November  peaches. 

e.  4.  a Carnation  cherry. 

. 37.  38.  31.  35.  39.  43.  43.  44.  8 plumb  peaches  of  October. 

f.  37. 39. 35.40.1  plumbs,  suppos*.  f.  4s.  \3  October  plumb 

g.  37. 30.38. 39. j Cherokee  from  Bailey”  g.43.43.J  peaches. 

h.  a.  5.  6.  7.  ta.  13.  14. 18.  19.  33.  33.  24.  3$.  a<.  28.  39.  30.  31.  33.  36. 
39.  43.  = 33.  pippings 

i.  5.  8.  9.  13.  13.  li.  = 6.  Spitzenbgs  from  mr  Taylor.” 

17.  r8.  34.  35.  z6,  37.  — 6.  Spitzenbgs  from  mif  Divers.” 

— 1.  + 3.  8.  October,  or  November,  or  T.  Lomax’s”  soft 
peaches,  uncertain  which, 

13. 13.  if.  17.  33.  34.  35.  3f.  39.  = 9 soft  peaches  from  T.  Lomax. 

k.  3.  6.  13.  17,  33.  35.  Oct.  or  Nov.  or  T.  Lomax’s  soft  peaches. 

l.  I.  a Carnation  cherry.  3.  6.  Carnations  or  May  Dukes. 

8.  pear  from  mr  Divers” 

13. 15, 16.  30.  33. 34.  35.  = 7.  choice  pears  from  Walter  Coles.” 
36.  27.  38.  39.  3t.  33.  = 6 choice  pears  from  mi  Divers.” 


Mar.  30, 
31. 


t- 


8.  Taliaferro  apples. 


m.  6.  37.  38. 

n.  3. 

o.  3.  7, 

p.  4*  <• 

Allies  of  the  Vineyards  25.  paccans. 
round  the  S.W.  & N.E.  ends  of  the  garden  pales,  and  about  x2.f.  from 
the  pales  39,  Roanoke  hiccory  nuts,  and  i.  Osage  d°.  35i.  apart, 
planted  9.  Snowberry  cuttings  in  the  earthen  trough. 

Nursery,  i".  terras,  planted  34.  sweet  almond  1 
kernels  from  mr  Diver’s 
tree 

I.  plant  hardshelled  bitter 
Almond  from  box  X.  pa. 


& 61ied  It  up  with 
Larix  seeds.” 
Ronaldson 


4® 

6’*.  beg*,  at  W.  end.  1$.  Brock’s  soft  peach  stones, 
line  soft  peach  stones,  from  P.R  (y*  ” kernels  only) 
10.  W.  end.  English  oak  acorns.”^ 

E.  end.  elm  seed” 

Ash  seed,” Plane.” 

something  label  lost Crab 

kernels 

Scotch  fir  teed Silver 

fir  seed" 

Larix  ....  thro  the  whole  . , , , 

Bladder  Senna” 

I^racanthni. 

16.  Hawthorn Broom* 

9**.  Cedar  of  Lebanon  * thro 


IX. 

Z3. 

*3' 

»4- 

li* 


33- 


all  these  were  sent 
me  from  Edinburg 
by  mr  Ronaldson. 


^^6  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1812 

tMar.aS.  planted  6.  plants  of  goose  berries,  continuing  the  same  row.  In  the 
4^".  Terras,  from  Ronatdson  Edinbg 
ap.  sowed  fiorin  grass  seed  " in  the  new  ia.I.  boxes  N°.  i.  to  7.  & in  the 
old  boxes  i.a4>6.io.  and  in  the  Meadow 

Apr.  2.  planted  in  the  old  boxes  N*.  3.  Silver  fir.  7.  Scotch  fir.  13.  Larix. 
13.  Cedar  of  Lebanon. 

3.  sowed  on  the  N.B.  & N.W.  sides  of  Aspen  thicket  seeds  of  Broom  & 
Fyracanthus  from  Edbg.  Ronaldson. 

in  the  grove, ^ Ash,  elm,  plane.  Silver  fir.  Scotch  fir.  Larix 


^ 1812.  The  year  1812  opened  with  the  happy  reconcilia- 
tion between  Jefferson  and  John  Adams.  The  warmth  of 
their  former  friendship  returned,  and  they  carried  on  a large 
correspondence  until  their  deaths  in  1826. 

This  was  the  first  election  year  since  Jefferson  had  retired 
from  the  Presidency.  Certain  groups  urged  him  to  become  a 
candidate  for  the  Presidency  again,  and  others  even  suggested 
that  he  be  appointed  Secretary  of  State  in  Madison’s  cabinet. 
He  disregarded  all  of  these  suggestions.  Madison  was  re- 
elected President,  and  Elbridge  Gerry,  Jefferson’s  old  friend, 
was  chosen  Vice  President. 

War  was  declared  against  England  on  June  18.  Although 
Jefferson  was  in  favor  of  the  declaration  under  existing  cir- 
cumstances, it  brought  great  hardships  on  the  people,  and 
placed  pecuniary  obstacles  before  him.  Despite  his  straitened 
circumstances,  Jefferson  was  obliged  on  account  of  the  war 
to  increase  his  household  manufacture  of  linen,  cotton,  and 
woolens,  in  order  to  supply  his  household  needs. 

This  was  a flourishing  year  for  the  garden  and  farm. 
There  are  five  pages  in  the  Garden  Book  tabulating  the  plant- 
ings and  other  activities  in  the  garden.  For  the  first  time 
Jefferson  wrote  down  the  exact  plan  and  arrangement  of  the 
vegetable  garden.  It  was  divided  into  three  long  terraces  or 
platforms,  called  the  Upper  Platform,  the  Middle  Platform, 
and  the  Lower  Platfrom  (sec  pi.  XXXHI). 

In  the  early  spring  Jefferson  completed  a fish  pond  on  the 
Colh  Branch.  He  made  several  attempts  to  stock  it  with 
carp,  but  without  much  success.  He  later  made  several  other 
fish  ponds,  a few  of  which  were  washed  away  by  freshets  in 
the  branches.  (See  letters  following  about  fish  and  fish 
ponds.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


477 


1812] 

The  mill  still  continued  unprofitable.  On  account  of  this, 
Mr.  Randolph  became  the  sole  tenant.  The  change,  how- 
ever, did  not  increase  the  revenues. 

In  the  early  spring  Jefferson  made  one  important  change 
in  the  flower  borders  along  the  winding  or  Round-about  Walk 
on  the  west  lawn.  He  divided  the  borders  into  lo-foot  com- 
partments and  planted  them  with  groups  of  like  flowers  in- 
stead of  a mixture  in  each  compartment.  This  change  gave 
an  interesting  massed  effect  to  the  borders.  (PI.  XXXIV.) 

Letters  show  that  the  exchange  of  plants  and  seeds  con- 
tinued between  Jefferson  and  his  neighbors  and  friends. 
Thoiiin  sent  his  yearly  supply  of  seeds  from  France,  and 
James  Ronaldson,  of  Philadelphia,  sent  another  large  packet 
of  them.  Bernard  McMahon,  as  in  previous  years,  sent  roots, 
plants,  and  seeds. 

Jefferson  made  his  usual  visits  to  Poplar  Forest,  where 
work  on  the  house  was  progressing  rapidly.  Extensive  im- 
provements were  made  in  the  grounds.  (See  letters,  Jeffer- 
son to  John  W.  Eppes,  April  18  and  September  18,  1812; 
memoranda,  Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  Goodman,  May  12  and 
December  13,  1812;  and  Planting  Memorandum  for  Poplar 
Forest,  1812.) 

* See  plate  XXI  for  location  of  the  garden. 

' Allium  ascalonicum  L.  Also  called  shallot. 

* James  Ronaldson  was  bom  in  Scotland  in  1780.  Emi- 
grating to  Pennsylvania,  he  settled  in  Philadelphia,  and  be- 
came identified  with  the  industrial  and  educational  interests  of 
that  city.  He  was  one  of  the  largest  type  founders  in  the 
country  and  also  an  extensive  horticulturist.  He  was  a friend 
of  Jefferson  and  sent  to  him  seeds  and  plants,  which  were 
planted  at  Monticello.  Mr.  Ronaldson  died  in  Philadelphia 
in  1841.  {National  Cyclopedia  of  American  Biography  12: 
507—508.)  (See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Mr.  McIntosh,  March 
15,  1812;  and  letter,  Jefferson  to  Mr.  Ronaldson,  October  ii, 
1812.) 

* Allium  sativum  L.  Garlic. 

* Allium  schoenoprasum  L.  Chive. 

^ Humulus  lupulus  L.  Hop. 

* John  Thomson  Mason  was  an  American  lawyer  and  states- 
man. He  was  the  son  of  Thomson  Mason,  the  younger 
brother  of  George  Mason.  He  was  born  in  Stafford  County, 


Jetfebson’s  Garden  Book 


478 


[1812 


Virginia,  in  1764,  and  died  in  1824.  He  was  a personal 
friend  to  Jefferson,  who  appointed  him  to  several  high  offices. 
(Lippincott’s  Biographical  Dictionary:  1676.) 

* See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Ronaldson,  October  ii,  1812. 

Lolium  perenne  L. 

Probably  Trifolium  agrarium  L. 

Probably  a variety  of  Avena  sativa  L. 

“ A variety  of  Hordeum  vulgare  L. 

Vicia  sativa  L.  Tares. 

“ Mangel-wurzel,  a large,  coarse  kind  of  beet.  Beta  vulgaris 
macrorhiza,  extensively  grown,  especially  in  Europe,  as  food 
for  cattle. 

“ Scorsonera  hispanica  L.  Black  salsify. 

” The  flower  borders  of  the  western  lawn  were  laid  out  in 
1808.  (See  pis.  XXIV,  XXV.) 

“ Campanula  sp. 

“ Tagetes  erecta  L. 

Papaver  sp. 

The  arbor  bean  here  is  probably  Phaseolus  coccineus  L. 
It  is  more  frequently  called  scarlet  runner. 

Buckwheat,  now  Fagopyrum  esculentum  Gaertn. 

**  Panicum  virgatum  L.  A native  grass  sometimes  grown 
for  ornament. 

**  Bernard  McMahon  was  born  in  Ireland  circa  1775. 
came  to  America  in  1796  and  soon  after  settled  in  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  established  a successful  seed  house  and  botani- 
cal garden.  He  was  one  of  the  first  successful  gardeners  in 
the  United  States.  In  1806  he  published  The  American 
Gardener's  Calendar,  which  went  through  several  editions. 
Horticultural  letters  passed  frequently  between  McMahon 
and  Jefferson.  A large  number  of  plants  grown  at  Monti- 
eello  came  from  McMahon’s  seed  house.  McMahon  died 
circa  1815.  (John  W.  Harshberger,  The  Botanists  of  Phila- 
delphia and  Their  Work  (Philadelphia,  1899):  117-119.) 
(See letters,  McMahon  to  Jefferson,  February  28,  1812;  and 
Jefferson  to  McMahon,  October  ii,  1812,) 

Robert  Bailey,  a nurseryman,  living  in  Washington,  who 
often  furnished  Jefferson  with  plants. 

**  James  Taylor,  See  note  6,  1810. 

George  Divers,  of  Farmington,  Albemarle  County. 

Thomas  Lomax.  See  note  27,  1809. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


479 


1812] 

See  letter,  George  Divers  to  Jefferson,  March  18,  1812. 

’“Walter  Coles  (1772-1854)  was  a son  of  John  Coles  and 
a brother  of  Isaac  Coles.  His  home  was  PFoodville,  Albe- 
marle County,  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  (Woods,  Albe- 
marle County:  172.) 

See  letter,  George  Divers  to  Jefferson,  March  18,  1812. 

Larix  decidua  Mill.  Larch. 

” Y“  means  the. 

Quercus  robur  L.  English  Oak. 

” Probably  Ulmus  campestris  L.  English  elm. 

*“  Fraxinns  sp.  Ash. 

" Platanus  sp.  Plane  tree. 

Abies  alba  Mill.  Silver  fir. 

” Colutea  arborescens  L.  Bladder  senna. 

" Probably  Scotch  broom,  Cytisus  scoparius  Link. 

*\Cedrus  libani  Loud.  Cedar  of  Lebanon. 

" A grostis  palustris  Huds.  Fiorin  grass. 

**  In  the  Grove  Jefferson  planted  a larger  assortment  of  na- 
tive and  exotic  trees.  (See  pi.  XXI  for  the  location  of  the 
grove.) 


Letters  and  Extracts  op  Letters  1812 

(Jefferson  to  John  Adams.) 

Monticello,  January  21,  1812. 

I thank  you  beforehand  (for  they  are  not  yet  arrived)  for  the  speci- 
mens of  homespun  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  forward  me  by  post.  I 
doubt  not  their  excellence,  knowing  how  far  you  are  advanced  in  these 
things  in  your  quarter.  Here  we  do  little  in  the  fine  way,  but  in  coarse 
and  middling  goods  a great  deal.  Every  family  in  the  country  is  a 
manufactory  within  itsdf,  and  is  very  generally  able  to  make  within 
itself  all  the  stouter  and  middling  stuffs  for  its  own  clothing  and  house- 
hold use.  We  consider  a sheep  for  every  person  in  the  family  as  suffi- 
cient to  clothe  it,  in  addition  to  the  cotton,  hemp  and  flax  which  we 
raise  ourselves.  For  fine  stuff  we  shall  depend  on  your  northern  manu- 
factories. Of  these,  that  is  to  say,  of  company  establishments,  we  have 
none.  We  use  little  machinery.  The  spinning  jenny,  and  loom  with 
the  flying  shuttle,  can  be  managed  in  a family;  but  nothing  more  compli- 
cated. . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13;  122.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  Feb.  16.  la. 

In  your  letter  of  March  last,  as  on  various  other  occasions,  you  were 
so  kind  as  to  offer  to  supply  my  wants  in  the  article  of  plants,  add  in  my 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


480 


[1812 


answer  of  April  8.  1 mentioned  a few  articles,  as  also  the  mode  of  con- 
veyance, which  could  not  occur  till  about  this  time,  an  opportunity  now 
presents  itself  of  the  most  fortunate  kind,  mf  Harmer  Gilmer,  a stu- 
dent of  medicine  now  in  Philadelphia,  and  my  neighbor,  will  be  setting 
out  on  his  return  to  us  very  soon  after  you  receive  this,  he  will  come  in 
the  stage  and  will,  1 am  sure,  take  charge  of  any  small  box  you  may  be 
so  good  as  to  put  under  his  care.  I write  to  him  on  this  subject,  never 
expecting  so  good  an  opportunity  again,  & so  seasonable  a one,  I will 
still  add  a little  to  my  former  wants  so  as  to  put  me  in  possession  once 
for  all  of  every  thing  to  which  my  views  extend,  & which  I do  not  now 
possess. 


seeds.  Auricula,  double  Anemone,  double  Carnation. 

nette.  egg  plant.  Sea  Kale, 
bulbs.  Crown  Imperial,  double  Ranunculus, 
plants.  Hudson  & Chili  strawberries,  fine  gooseberries, 
mine. 

trees.  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  balm  of  Gilead  hr.  Cork  tree. 

Chestnut  or  Maronnier  of  y‘  French. 

one  plant  of  the  Cape  jessamine,  & one  or  two  of  the  trees  will  suffice, 
the  seeds  may  come  in  a letter  packet  by  mail ; the  bulbs,  plants  & trees 
(if  the  latter  be  chosen  small)  in  a smdl  and  light  box,  packed  in  moss 
v'hich  mr  Gilmer  will  take  charge  of:  and  if  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to 
inform  me  of  the  amount  in  the  letter  by  mail,  it  shall  be  promptly  re- 
mitted. mr.  Gilmer  will  be  so  near  his  departure  as  to  require  immedi- 
ate dispatch. 

Among  other  plants  I received  from  M,  Thouin,  was  the  Brassica 
sempervirens,  or  Sprout  Kale,  one  plant  only  vegetated,  the  i**.  year, 
but  this  winter  I have  20.  or  30.  turned  out  for  seed.  I consider  it 
among  the  most  valuable  garden  plants,  it  stands  our  winter  unpro- 
tected, furnishes  a vast  crop  of  sprouts  from  the  beginning  of  December 
through  the  whole  winter,  which  are  remarkably  sweet  and  delicious. 
1 enclose  you  a few  seeds,  a part  of  what  the  original  plant  gave  us;  the 
noct  year  I hope  to  have  a plenty.  1 send  it  because  I do  not  perceive 
by  your  catalogue  that  you  have  it.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  Goodman.) 

Monticello  Feb.  21.  12. 

I have  just  received  a letter  from  Maj».  Flood  informing  me  that  his 
neighbor  m'.  Duval  will  spare  me  from  6.  to  8.  bushels  of  Burnet  seed, 
you  will  therefore  be  plea^d  to  send  off  two  boys  on  horseback  to  bring 
it.  they  should  take  bags  which  will  hold  4.  bushds  each,  die  seed  is 
as  light  as  chaff,  it  is  sown  half  a bushel  to  the  acre.  Major  Flood’s 
is  34.  miles  from  Poplar  Forest  on  the  Great  main  road  leading  from 
New  London  to  Richmond.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Mignon- 

Cape-jas- 

Spanish- 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


481 


1812] 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Fcb^.  aS**".  i8ia. 

I duly  received  your  kind  letter  of  the  ins^  and  am  much  obliged 
to  you  for  the  Brassica  sempervirens.  This  morning  I done  myself  the 
pleasure  of  sending  you  by  M'.  Gilmer  a box  containing  the  following 
articles. 

2 Roots  Amaryllis  Belladonna 

6 pots  of  Auriculas,  different  kinds. 

1 d”.  of  a beautiful  polyanthus 

32  Roots  best  Tulips  of  Various  kind 

32  d°.  Best  double  Hyacinths  assorted. 

40  plants  of  the  Hudson  Strawberry,  the  best  kind  we  have  here. 

I have  none  nor  have  I seen  any  in  America  of  the  large  Chili  straw- 
berry. 

4 roots  Lillium  superbum.  L. 

4 small  plants  Gooseberries,  large  red  fruit  & the  best  I have  ever 
seen. 

Some  roots  Amaryllis  Atamasco  L. 

The  labels  are  Ja/d  in  with  the  above  and  the  numbers  attached  to  the 
following. 

N”.  1 Ribes  odoratissimum  (mihi).  this  is  one  of  Cap^  Lewis’s  and 
an  important  shrub,  the  fruit  very  large,  of  a dark  purple  colour, 
the  flowers  yellow,  showey,  & extremely  fragrant. 

N”.  2 Symphoricarpos  Icucocarpa  (mihi).  This  is  a beautiful  shrub 
brought  by  C.  Lewis  from  the  River  Columbia,  the  flower  is 
small  but  neat,  the  berries  hang  in  large  clusters  and  of  a snow 
white  colour  and  continue  on  the  shrubs,  retaining  their  beauty, 
all  the  winter ; especially  if  kept  in  a Green  House.  The  shrub 
is  perfectly  hardy;  I have  given  it  the  trival  english  name  of 
Snowberry-bush. 

N*.  3 The  yellow  Currant  of  the  river  Jefferson;  this  is  specifically 
different  from  the  others,  but  I have  not  yet  given  it  a specific 
botanical  name. 

N*.  4 Cape  of  Good  hope  Grape  Vine,  according  to  M'.  Peter  Legaux, 
who  says  he  received  it  originally  from  thence.  This  I am  con- 
fident, from  several  years  observation,  is  the  variety  of  grape 
most  to  be  depended  on  for  giving  wine  to  the  United  States, 
but  particularly  to  be  cultivated  for  that  purpose  in  the  middle 
and  eastern  states. 

N®.  5 An  improved  variety  of  the  Cape  grape,  somewhat  earlier  and 
better  for  the  table,  and  equally  good  for  making  wine. 

I am  very  sorry  that  I cannot  at  present  supply  all  your  wants,  but 
shall  as  soon  as  in  my  power;  and  that  the  opportunity  which  now  offers 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


482 


[1812 


does  not  admit  of  a conveyance  for  many  articles  which  I wish  to  send 
you.  I hope  you  will  do  me  the  favor  of  informing  me  whenever  you 
hear  of  a favorable  opportunity,  for  conveying  them,  other  articles 
which  I wish  to  send  you.  Excuse  the  confused  manner  in  which  I 
write,  as  there  are  several  people  in  my  store  asking  me  questions  every 
moment. 

I would  thank  you  to  inform  me  whether  you  take  the  Glocester  Nut 
to  be  a distinct  species,  as  announced  by  Mich*,  f.  (Juglans  laciniosa) 
or  whether,  if  only  a variety,  it  is  nearer  allied  to  the  Juglans  tomentosa 
Mich*,  or  to  the  J.  squamosa  Midi*,  fi.  the  J.  alba  of  his  father. 

I send  you  a few  seeds  by  this  mail,  and  shall  send  some  more  in  a few 
days.  . . . P.  S.  You  will  please  to  excuse  me  for  not  making  any 
charge  for  the  new  articles  sent;  such  I could  not  think  of.  {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


(JefiEerson  to  Patrick  Gibson.) 

Monticello  Mar.  x.  12. 

...  I have  usually  got  my  stock  of  red  clover  seed  from  the  other 
side  of  the  Blue  ridge,  but  am  quite  disappointed  there  this  year,  and 
am  therefore  obliged  to  apply  for  it  at  your  market  where  I am  told 
there  is  plenty  but  high  in  price  as  is  general  this  year.  I must  pray  you 
to  procure  & send  me  in  tight  barrels  ten  bushels,  as  it  is  an  article  of 
sudi  necessity  as  to  render  the  price  but  a secondary  consideration.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah.  A.  Goodman.) 

Monticello  Mar.  i.  [1812.] 

Our  distress  on  the  article  of  hauling  obliges  me  to  send  for  the  yoke 
of  steers  which  were  to  come  from  Poplar  Forest,  you  know  our  situa- 
tion and  will  I hope  send  us  a pair  which  will  do  solid  service,  of  those 
which  mf  GtiiSn  sent  while  you  were  here,  we  have  never  been  able  to 
make  any  thing.  I have  given  Moses  leave  to  stay  a day  with  his  friends. 
I suppose  he  can  bring  on  the  back  of  his  steers  as  much  corn  as  will 
bring  them  here,  on  your  furnishing  him  a bag.  I wrote  to  you  on  the 
2i“.  of  February  by  post;  but  as  I know  that  letters  linger  long  on  the 
road  sometimes,  I will  repeat  here  one  article  of  my  letter  which  was 
pressing.  Maj'.  Flood  has  informed  me  that  mf  Duval,  his  neighbor, 
can  furnish  me  with  6.  or  8.  bushels  of  Burnet  seed,  two  boys  on  horse- 
back should  therefore  be  sent  off  immediately  with  bags  whi^  will  hold 
4.  bushels  each,  the  seed  is  as  light  as  chaff,  it  is  sown  half  a bushel  to 
die  acre.  Major  Flood’s  is  34.  miles  from  Poplar  Forest  on  the  great 
main  road  leading  from  New  London  to  Richmond. 

I inclose  some  lettuce  seed,  and  shall  be  glad  if  you  will  sow  about  8. 
or  la  feet  of  one  of  the  beds  behind  the  stable,  and  do  the  same  on  the 
I**,  day  of  every  month  till  the  falL  . , . (Giurtesy  of  Dr.  A.  S.  W. 
Rosenbach.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


483 


1812] 

(Charles  Willson  Peale  to  Jefferson.) 

Farm  Persevere,  Mar.  2*.  l8l2. 

. . . Can  you  find  no  inducements  to  visit  Philadelphia?  It  would 
give  me  a great  deal  of  pleasure  to  see  you  at  the  Museum.  Your  gar- 
den must  be  a Museum  to  you.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Larkin  Smith  to  Jefferson.) 

Norfolk  3d  March  1812 

A small  package  of  garden  seed  was  this  day  delivered  to  me,  with 
your  address,  by  a very  safe  conveyance  to  Richmond.  I have  committed 
it  to  the  care  of  Mr.  James  Barbour,  with  a request  that  he  would  trans- 
mit it  to  you  without  loss  of  time,  as  the  season  for  sowing  the  seeds  has 
commenced.  . . . (Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri  3:  116.) 

(James  S.  Barbour  to  Jefferson.) 

Richmond  March  10.  1812 

The  accompanying  collection  of  garden  seeds  was  forwarded  to  me 
by  Colo  Larkin  Smith  of  Norfolk.  He  suggested  to  me  the  necessity  of 
sending  them  as  soon  as  possible  as  the  time  for  sowing  them  had,  prob- 
ably, arrived.  Supposing  the  Stage  both  the  safest  and  most  expeditious 
conveyance  I avail  myself  of  that  opportunity.  I hope  you  will  receive 
them  in  the  time.  . . . N.  B.  Just  as  I had  finished  this  note  a waggon 
from  Milton  passed  and  I have  confided  the  Seeds  to  him,  R.  Johnston. 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Divers.) 

Monticello  Mar.  10.  12. 

I promised  to  stock  you  with  the  Alpine  strawberry  as  soon  as  my 
beds  would  permit.  I now  send  you  a basket  of  plants  and  can  spare 
you  10.  baskets  more  if  you  desire  it  their  value,  you  know,  is  the  giv- 
ing strawberries  8.  months  in  the  year,  but  they  require  a large  piece 
of  ground  and  therefore  I am  moving  them  into  the  truck  patch,  as  I 
cannot  afford  them  room  enough  in  ^e  garden.  I have  received  from 
McMahon  some  plants  of  the  true  Hudson  strawberry,  the  last  rains 
have  brought  them  forward  and  ensured  their  living.  I have  been  20 
years  trying  unsuccessfully  to  get  them  here,  the  next  year  I shall  be 
able  to  stock  you.  I have  received  also  from  McMahon  4.  plants  of  his 
wonderful  gooseberry.  I measured  the  fruit  of  them  3.  I.  round,  by 
the  next  year  I hope  they  will  afford  you  cuttings,  about  20.  plants  of 
the  Sprout  kale  have  given  us  sprouts  from  the  i**  of  December,  their 
second  growth  now  furnishes  us  a dish  nearly  every  day,  and  they  will 
enable  me  this  year  to  stock  my  neighbors  with  the  seed,  we  have  now 

fot  the  famous  Irish  grass,  Fiorin,  ensured  and  growing,  they  make 
ay  from  it  in  December,  January,  February.  I received  the  plants 
from  Ireland  about  a month  ago.  1 am  now  engaged  in  planting  a col- 


484 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8ia 

lection  of  pears.  I know  you  have  several  kinds  of  very  fine,  if  your 
nursery  can  spare  2.  of  each  kind  I will  thank  you  for  them : if  not  then 
some  cuttings  for  engrafting,  tying  up  each  separately.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefiferson  to  George  McIntosh.) 

Monticello  Mar.  15.  12. 

I am  this  moment  favored  with  your’s  of  the  4“*  inst.  informing  me 
you  had  received  some  plants  for  me  from  mf  Ronaldson.  I had  be- 
fore received  a letter  from  him  notifying  me  that  he  had  forwarded  them. 
I will  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  commit  them  to  the  Richmond  stage  ad- 
dressed to  Mess”.  Gibson  & Jefferson  of  Richmond  who  will  pay  the 
portage  & forward  them  to  me.  they  will  come  much  safer  if  you  can 
get  some  passenger  to  take  them  under  his  patronage  by  the  way.  I pre- 
sume they  are  properly  packed ; if  not,  a light  box,  and  wet  moss  invelop- 
ing  them,  would  be  the  best  mode  of  preserving  them,  the  expense  of 
which  will  in  like  manner  be  reimbursed  by  Mess"  Gibson  & Jefierson. 
Accept  my  thanks  for  your  attention  to  this  object.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  i8“*  Mar:  1812 

I received  the  aspine  [=  alpine]  strawberry  plants  sent  by  your  serv- 
ant, for  which  accept  my  thanks.  I send  you  seven  pear  cions,  they 
are  small  being  ingrafted  the  last  spring,  two  of  them  is  a very  good 
forward  pear,  the  other  five  are  of  the  best  kinds  that  I have,  would 
have  sent  you  some  slips,  but  I shall  engraft  some  for  myself  and  shall 
think  of  you  when  I set  about  it, 

The  Irish  grass  you  speak  of  must  be  a great  acquisition,  I shall  be 
thankful  for  a little  of  the  seed  of  the  Sprout  Kale  and  a few  cuttings 
of  the  large  gooseberry  when  they  can  be  spar’d.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  Col.  Larkin  Smith.) 

Monticello,  Mar.  22,  ’la. 

Your  letter  of  the  3d',  inst.  with  the  packet  of  seeds  you  were  so  kind 
as  to  forward  came  safely  to  hand  yesterday  evening,  and  of  course  in 
good  time  for  being  committed  to  the  earth,  accept  my  thanks  for  this 
Idnd  attention  and  indeed  I am  afraid  it  may  not  be  the  last,  as  my 
foreign  correspondents  are  much  in  the  habit  of  directing  packages  for 
me  to  the  Collector  of  the  port  to  which  the  vessel  is  bound,  duties,  or 
any  other  expenses  which  may  have  occurred,  or  may  occur  on  such  oc- 
casions, will  always  be  immediately  remitted  by  Messrs.  Gibson  & Jef- 
ferson, my  established  correspondents  at  Richmond,  on  notice  of  them; 
who  v^l  also  receive  such  packages,  pay  charges  & forward  them  to  me, 
I mention  this  to  lessen  Ae  inconveniences  to  which  your  friendship 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1812] 


485 


might  expose  you  on  any  future  similar  occasion.  . . . ( Glimpses  of  the 
Pastj  Missouri  3:  117.) 

(Jefferson  to  Governor  James  Barbour.) 

Monticello  Mar.  22.  12. 

Your  favor  of  the  16*'*  was  safely  delivered  last  night  by  the  wag- 
goner, together  with  the  packet  of  seeds  you  were  so  kind  as  to  receive 
and  forward.  I pray  you  to  accept  my  thanks  for  this  friendly  care, 
my  friends  & correspondents  Gibson  & Jefferson,  would  have  saved  you 
the  trouble  of  seeking  a conveyance  for  the  packet,  & would  do  it  on  any 
future  similar  occasion,  if  simply  sent  to  them ; & would  pay  all  charges. 
I mention  this  in  the  event  of  your  being  embarrassed  again  with  such 
an  address,  the  packet  arrived  in  good  time,  exactly  in  the  season  for 
planting.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  April  17,  1812. 

. . . Our  wheat  had  greatly  suffered  by  the  winter,  but  is  as  re- 
markably recovered  by  the  favorable  weather  of  the  spring.  . . . (Lips- 
comb and  Berg,  Jefferson  13:  140.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Wayles  Eppes.) 

Monticello  Apr.  18.  12. 

...  I have  already  resumed  the  inside  finishing  [house  at  Poplar  For- 
est], which  I had  not  before  intended.  I have  engaged  a workman  to 
build  offices,  have  laid  off  a handsome  curtilage  connecting  the  house 
with  the  Tomahawk,  have  inclosed  and  divided  it  into  suitable  ap- 
pendages to  a Dwelling  house,  and  have  begun  it’s  improvement  by 
planting  trees  of  use  and  ornament.  . . . (The  Huntington  Library 
Quarterly  6 (3) : 345.  1943-) 

(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Ashlin.) 

Monticello  Apr.  20.  12. 

1 have  just  made  me  a fish  pond  and  am  desirous  to  get  some  carp  fish 
to  stock  it.  we  used  formerly  when  hauling  the  seyne  for  shad,  to 
catch  some  carp  also,  and  I presume  therefore  that  some  few  are  now 
caught  at  your  place.  I send  the  bearer  therefore  with  a boat,  with  di- 
rections to  stay  a few  days,  and  procure  for  me  all  the  carp  which  shall 
be  caught  while  he  is  there.  I shall  be  obliged  to  you  if  you  can  aid  him 
in  getting  them  at  as  reasonable  a price  as  you  can.  I presume  they  will 
not  be  higher  than  what  is  paid  for  shad,  as  thqr  are  by  no  means  as 
good  a fish,  if  through  your  interest  he  can  be  admitted  to  join  in  haul- 
ing the  seyne  & come  in  for  a share  of  shad  so  as  to  bring  us  some,  1 will 
thank  you,  as  well  as  for  any  other  aid  you  may  give  him  towards  his 
object,  . . , (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


486 


[i8ia 


(Jefferson  to  James  P.  Cocke.) 

Monticello  Apr.  23.  12. 

I have  just  ffnished  a fish  pond  and  wish  to  get  some  of  the  Roanoke 
chub  to  stock  it.  I am  told  you  now  possess  the  pond  that  was  your  re- 
lation & neighbor  mf  Cocke's.  Could  you  spare  me  a few  to  begin  with  ? 
if  you  can,  I will  send  tomorrow  a light  cart  with  a cask  for  water  so 
that  the  cart  may  start  the  next  morning  and  keep  the  fish  out  as  short 
a time  as  possible.  I propose  so  short  a term,  because  I presume  you 
have  the  means  of  commanding  the  fish  at  any  time,  and  I am  to  set  out 
for  Bedford  on  Monday  or  Tuesday.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(James  P.  Cocke  to  Jefferson.) 

Ap*.  23.  1812. 

I am  sorry  to  observe  that  the  geting  [?]  [a]  supply  of  fish  is  most 
uncertain,  not  having  made  arrang*.  to  command  them,  yet  if  you  wish 
send  and  [7]  the  risque  be  assumed  I will  do  my  indeavors  to  procure 
them.  I shall  shortly  set  about  some  method  in  order  to  have  them  at 
command  k would  ^ink  the  fall  would  be  more  proper  to  summons 
them  as  they  are  now  spawning  & would  more  certain  to  get  them.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  P.  Cocke.) 

Monticello  Apr.  24.  I2. 

I am  so  anxious  to  save  a year,- by  taking  advantage  of  the  present 
spawning  season,  not  yet  over,  that  I send  the  bearer  to  take  the  chance 
of  your  being  able  by  some  means  to  catch  some  chubs  and  the  rather  as 
his  time  is  not  very  valuable  insomuch  that  if  a detention  of  2.  or  3. 
days  could  secure  my  object  I should  think  it  more  than  an  equivalent 
for  his  time.  I suppose  that  if  taken  with  a hook  & line  and  the  hook 
carefully  withdrawn  from  the  mouth  it  would  not  hurt  them,  especially 
if  the  beard  of  the  hook  were  filed  off.  I have  therefore  furnished  the 
bearer  with  a line  and  hooks  of  different  sizes,  and  altho’  he  knows 
nothing  about  angling,  yet  with  a little  of  your  kind  direction  he  would 
immediately  understand  it,  and  may  employ  himself  in  collecting  them 
until  you  diink  he  has  a sufficiency.  I am  sorry  to  give  you  so  much 
trouble,  and  must  rest  for  the  apology  on  your  friendship.  . . . (Jef- 
ferson. Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Maury.) 

Monticello,  April  25,  1812. 

...  I have  withdrawn  myself  horn  all  political  intermeddlings,  to 
indtdge  the  evening  of  my  life  with  what  have  been  the  passions  of  every 
portion  of  it,  books,  science,  my  farms,  my  family  and  friends.  To  these 
every  hour  of  the  day  is  now  devoted.  I retain  a good  activity  of  mind, 
not  quite  as  much  of  body,  but  uninterrupted  health.  Still  the  hand  of 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


487 


1812] 

age  is  upon  me.  All  my  old  friends  are  nearly  gone.  Of  those  in  my 
neighborhood,  Mr.  Divers  and  Mr.  Lindsay  done  remain.  If  you 
could  make  it  a partie  quarree,  it  would  be  a comfort  indeed.  We 
would  beguile  our  lingering  hours  with  talking  over  our  youthful  ex- 
ploits, our  hunts  on  Peter's  mountain,  with  a long  train  of  et  cetera,  in 
addition,  and  feel,  by  recollection  at  least,  a momentary  flash  of  youth. 
. . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  148-149.) 

(Jefferson  to  Captain  Mathew  Wills.) 

Monticello,  Apr.  26,  ’12. 

I return  you  many  thanks  for  the  fish  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to 
send  me,  and  still  more  for  your  aid  in  procuring  the  carp,  and  you  will 
further  oblige  me  by  presenting  my  thanks  to  Capt.  Holman  & Mr. 
Ashlin.  I have  found  too  late,  on  enquiry  that  the  cask  sent  was  an 
old  and  foul  one,  and  I have  no  doubt  that  must  have  been  the  cause  of 
the  death  of  the  flsh.  The  carp,  altho’  it  cannot  live  the  shortest  time 
out  of  water,  yet  is  understood  to  bear  transportation  in  water  the  best 
of  any  fish  whatever.  The  obtaining  breeders  for  my  pond  being  too  in- 
teresting to  be  abandoned,  I have  had  a proper  smack  made,  such  as  is 
regularly  used  for  transporting  fish,  to  be  towed  after  the  boat,  and  have 
dispatched  the  bearer  with  it  without  delay,  as  the  season  is  passing 
away.  I have  therefore  again  to  solicit  your  patronage,  as  well  as  Cap- 
tain Holman’s  in  obtaining  a supply  of  carp.  I think  a dozen  would  be 
enough,  and  would  therefore  wish  him  to  come  away  as  soon  as  he  can 
get  that  number.  . . . {Glimpses  of  the  Past,  Missouri  3:  118.) 

(James  P.  Cocke  to  Jefferson.) 

Ap*.  ap***  i8i2. 

I am  concerned  that  every  effort  to  procure  fish  for  you  have  been  in- 
effectual. two  has  been  caught  but  so  managed  [ ?]  that  they  are  dead. 
So  soon  as  I can  command  them  I will  advise  you  & then  will  endeavor 
to  manage  the  thing  better.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  A.  Goodman.) 

[Memorandum  Poplar  Forest]  May  12.  1812. 

[Memorandu]*".  for  mf  Goodman. 

[as]  soon  as  the  green  swerd  seed  is  ripe,  have  [somje  gathered  by 
the  negro  children  and  sowed  on  all  the  naked  parts  [of  ^e]  mound, 
and  then  cover  those  parts  lightly  [with  s]traw  first,  & brush  laid  over 
that. 

[if  m]ore  seed  could  be  gathered  by  the  children  it  might  be  sowed 
in  the  fall  or  spring  in  the  square  round  the  house  where  the  greenswerd 
has  not  as  yet  taken. 

have  strong  stakes  la.  f,  long  stuck  by  such  of  the  young  trees  as  grow 
crooked,  and  tie  them  up  to  the  stake  in  as  many  places  as  necessary. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


488 


[1812 


I promised  mr  Caruthers  oi  Rockbridge  to  give  him  a ram  & ewe 
lamb  of  this  year,  I bdieve  if  he  should  send,  we  must  give  him  one  of 
our  rams,  and  a ewe  lamb,  and  turn  out  another  ram  for  ourselves  the 
next  year. 

weed  the  gooseberries,  raspberries,  strawberries  & rose  bushes, 
sow  lettuce  the  i*‘.  of  June. 

bottle  the  beer.  (Courtesy  of  Dr.  A.  S.  W.  Rosenbach.) 


(Jefferson  to  J.  Peter  Derieux.) 

Monticello  June  i.  1812. 

Your  favor  of  May  1“  is  just  received,  with  the  seed  & root  of  the 
Tarragon,  for  which  I return  my  thanks,  the  root  had  become  entirely 
dry  and  without  any  principle  of  vegetation  left  in  it.  this  was  less  im« 
portant,  as  I had  some  years  ago  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  plant  from 
N.  Orleans  where  it  grows  wild.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Elbridge  Gerry.) 

Monticello,  June  ii,  1812. 

. . . Who  knows  but  you  may  fill  up  some  short  recess  of  Congress 
with  a visit  to  Monticello,  where  a numerous  family  will  hail  you  with 
a hearty  country  welcome.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13; 
164.) 

(Jefferson  to  Andrew  Ellicott.) 

Monticello,  June  24,  1812. 

. . . All  this  will  be  for  a future  race.  . . . Yet  I do  not  wish  it  less. 
On  the  same  principle  on  which  I am  still  planting  trees,  to  yield  their 
shade  and  ornament  half  a century  hence.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson 19:  185.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  16*''.  Sept'.  1812 

I do  myself  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  by  this  mail,  in  a small  box,  3 
roots  of  Crown  Imperial  which  cary  two  tiers  of  flowers,  when  in  very 
luxuriant  growth;  also  12  Roots  of  Gladiolus  communis:  both  kinds 
hardy  and  fit  for  the  open  ground — ^please  to  have  them  planted  as  soon 
as  possible.  I will  send  you  other  kinds  of  bulbs  by  subsequent  mails. 
. . , (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Wayles  Eppes.) 

Monticello  Sep.  18.  12. 

...  it  [the  house  at  Poplar  Forest^  is  an  Octagon  of  50.  f.  diameter, 
of  brick,  well  built,  will  be  plaistercd  this  fall,  when  nothing  will  be 
wanting  to  finish  it  compleatly  but  the  cornices  and  some  of  the  doors, 
when  finished,  it  will  be  the  best  dwelling  house  in  the  state,  except  that 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


489 


1812] 

of  Monttcello ; perhaps  preferable  to  that,  as  more  proportioned  to  the 
faculties  of  a private  citizen.  I shall  probably  go  on  with  the  cornices 
and  doors  at  my  leisure  at  Monticello,  and  in  planting  & improving  the 
grounds  around  it.  I have  just  paid  between  3.  & 4000  Dollars  cash 
for  the  building,  besides  doing  all  the  planter’s  work,  which  is  fully  the 
half,  so  that  it’s  cost  may  be  very  moderately  rated  at  6000.  D.  out 
of  the  lands  South  of  Tomahawk,  I should  have  to  reserve  4.  or  S-  acr«, 
from  it’s  entrance  into  Blackwater  down  to  my  line  for  a canal  & site 
for  a mill  St  threshing  machine  I am  about  building  there,  the  stream 
is  very  meagre,  the  head  springs  all  rising  in  my  own  lands:  but  it  may 
thro’  a good  part  of  the  year  grind  for  a family,  there  are  on  these 
lands  about  100.  acres  cleared ; 67.  of  them  originally  fine,  but  very  old. 
they  have  now  been  at  rest  4.  or  5.  years,  & I am  about  taking  them 
again  into  my  rotation,  the  rest  are  fresh  & of  first  quality,  and  I shall 
from  time  to  time  make  clearings  adjacent  until  the  actual  exchange 
of  possession.  . . . (The  Huntington  Library  Quarterly  6 (3):  344, 

1943.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  23''*.  Sept'.  i8ia 

I herewith  send  you  a small  box  containing  6 Dwarf  Persian  Iris,  12 
Cloth  of  Gold  Crocus  6 Iris  Xiphium,  6 Iris  Xiphium,  a new  iff  fine 
variety j 12  Double  Persian  Ranunculuses;  with  the  seeds  of  some  very 
superior  Impatience  Balsamina,  Red  Antwerp  Raspberry  & Centaurea 
macrocephala,  as  a part  of  a collection  to  be  forwarded  in  a few  days 
for  your  acceptance.  . . . P.  S.  I am  happy  to  inform  you  that  my 
little  business  enables  me  to  progress,,  in  my  line,  in  a ratio  somewhat 
greater  than  I at  first  expected.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  24*N  Sept'.  1812 
Herewith  you  will  receive  a small  box  containing 

3 Roots  of  Antholyza  aethiopica,  a Green  House  bulb, 

6 Feathered  Hyacinth  roots,  Hyadnthus  monstrosus  L. 

3 Double  blue  Hyacinths,  named  Alamode  by  the  Dutch,  remarkably 
early  & proper  for  forcing. 

6 Roots  of  a beautiful  variety  of  Crocus  vernus,  of  very  early  bloom; 

flower  white  inside  & beautifully  striped  outside. 

2 Roots  Parrot  Tulips,  color  of  the  flowers  red,  green  and  yellow  mixed. 
Some  seed  of  the  Mirabilis  longiflora,  or  Sweet-scented  Marvel  of 
Peru.  . . , (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Samuel  Brown  to  Jefferson.) 

Natchez  Oct,  i*‘.  1812. 

Mr.  Poindexter  has  obligingly  offered  to  carry  you  a small  package  of 
Guinea  Grass  seed  & a species  of  Capsicum  indigenous  in  the  provence 


490 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8i2 

of  Taxas.  For  all  I know  on  the  subject  of  Guinea  Grass  I take  the 
liberty  of  referring  you  to  a communication  I Jiave  just  made  to  the 
Editor  of  the  Archives  of  Useful  Knowledge.  It  is  highly  probable, 
however,  that  you  are  much  better  acquainted  with  it  than  I am.  Of 
Ae  Pepper  I feow  little  except  that  it  grows  in  very  great  abundance 
in  the  prairies  west  of  the  Sabine  & that  it  is  vnth  the  Spaniards  & 
Savages,  an  article  in  as  great  use  as  common  Salt  is  anaong  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  U.  S.  As  soon  as  I can  obtain  a more  particular  account  of 
it  I shall  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  communicating  it  to  you.  The  Roots 
are  Perennial  & in  your  climate  would  only  require  protection  from  the 
most  severe  frost.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Ronaldson.) 

Monticello  Oct.  ii.  l8i2. 

...  I had  received  in  the  spring  the  assortment  of  seeds  you  had  been 
so  kind  as  to  address  to  me.  they  were  very  long  in  their  passage  from 
Norfolk  to  this  place,  insomuch  that  the  season  was  far  advanced  before 
they  got  to  hand,  many  have  consequently  failed,  but  several  succeeded, 
the  oats  & barley  particularly,  the  latter  of  which  is  valuable  as  being 
naked,  several  of  the  cabbages  and  Kales  succeeded,  as  also  the  spinach 
and  a single  plant  of  early  turnep  will  give  us  seed,  three  Scotch  firs 
have  vegetated,  the  horin  grass  seed  came  up  well,  but  was  soon  checked 
by  our  own  hot  sun.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  Oct.  ii.  12. 

Your  three  boxes  with  flower  roots  are  all  safely  arrived  & carefully 
disposed  of,  for  which  accept  my  particular  thanks,  the  articles  re- 
ceived in  the  spring  by  mf  Gilmer  have  been  remarkably  successful,  one 
only  of  the  cuttings  of  the  Snowberry  failed,  the  rest  are  now  very 
flourishing  and  shew  some  of  the  most  beautiful  berries  I have  ever  seen, 
the  sweet  scented  currant,  the  yellow  currant,  the  red  gooseberries  .and 
the  Hudson  Strawberries  are  all  flourishing.  I received  from  the  Na- 
tional garden  of  France  a box  of  seeds,  which  came  too  late  for  use  this 
year;  and  no  opportunity  has  occurred  of  a passenger  going  in  the  stage 
to  Philadelphia  to  whom  I could  confide  them,  but  a medical  student 
will  be  going  from  this  neighborhood  at  the  commencement  of  the  next 
lectures  by  whom  I will  forward  them  to  you:  and  as  they  are  seeds  of 
l8n.  I presume  they  will  generally  succeed  the  next  season.  . . . {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  Oct'.  24*^.  1812. 

I had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  yours  of  the  ii“.  insh  and  am  happy 
that  the  artides  sent  to  you  last  spring  have  succeeded  to  your  satisfac- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


491 


1812] 

tion,  and  that  you  rec^.  the  few  roots  I lately  sent  you  in  good  condition. 
I am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  former  favors  and  also  for  your  in- 
tention of  sending  me  the  box  of  seeds  you  were  pleased  to  mention. 
With  this  letter  I expect  you  will  receive  a small  box  containing, 

6 Roots  Watsonia  Meriana.  (Gawles) 


6 d®.  Trittonia  fenestrata d”. 

6 d°.  Trittonia  fenestrata d®. 

6 Morea  flexuosa 


All  Cape  of  Good  Hope  bulbs  and  consequently,  with  you,  belonging  to 
the  Green-House  department. 

1 Root  silver  striped  Crown  Imperial,  Hardy 
3 Roots  Amaryllis  Belladonna  or  Belladonna  Lily: 

they  belong  also  to  the  Green-house;  if  their  strong  succulent  fibers  or 
roots  retain  their  freshness  on  receipt  of  them,  do  not  have  them  cut  off, 
but  let  them  be  planted  with  the  bulbs  in  pots  of  good  rich  mellow  earth; 
the  flowers  are  beautiful  and  fragrant;  their  season  of  flowering  is  Sept'. 
& Oct'.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(James  Ronaldson  to  Jefferson.) 

Phila.  Nov'.  2 1812. 

To  remedy  as  far  as  possible  the  ill  consequences  arising  out  of  the 
late  arrival  of  the  seeds  I have  sent  you  a few,  by  one  of  the  last  weeks 
mail,  the  quantity  of  each  is  very  small,  as  my  stock  was  about  ex- 
hausted ; they  may  be  sufficient  to  shew  which  of  ’em  are  adapted  to  the 
country  and  furnish  the  seed.  I am  sojry  at  not  having  it  in  my  power 
to  give  you  some  of  the  European  Ash,  Scots  fir.  Silver  fir,  cedar  of 
Lebanon  etc.  having  handed  all  that  class  over  to  Mr.  McMahon,  with 
him  however  they  will  be  in  good  keeping;  and  have  the  best  chance  of 
being  introduced  into  the  Nation,  it  was  very  unfortunate  the  Cork 
seeds  I ordered  from  Bayonne  were  on  board  the  Amanda  taken  and 
condemned  last  spring  under  the  British  orders  of  Council,  this  plant 
should  be  procured  from  Portugal,  now  that  so  much  intercourse  exists 
with  that  country.  The  Cork  thrives  on  poor  sandy  land  and  I think 
is  suited  to  all  the  coast  land  from  Delaware  to  cape  florida.  it  would 
be  more  profitable  than  pine  trees.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  E.  I.  Du  Pont.) 

Monticello,  Nov.  8,  12. 

...  I am  in  hopes  the  Merino  race  of  sheep  is  so  well  established 
among  us  as  to  leave  you  in  no  danger  of  wanting  that  article.  I have 
been  unlucky  with  them.  I began  with  one  ram  & 3 ewes.  One  of  the 
ewes  died  of  the  scab,  and  the  others  for  two  years  have  brought  me  only 
ram  lambs,  so  that  I remain  still  with  only  2 ewes.  But  I have  many 
half  bloods.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  1:  177*) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


49a 


[1812 


(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  24^".  Nov'.  1812 

By  this  mail  I send  you  a small  box  of  Hyacinth  rootSi  to  be  planted 
in  the  open  ground,  as  soon  as  you  shall  have  received  them ; they  are  of 
the  first  rate  kinds,  and  nearly  of  as  many  varieties  as  roots:  with  due 
attention  they  will  bring  you  into  a stock  of  the  best  kinds.  ...  {Jef- 
ferson PaperSj  L.  C.) 


(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  i“‘.  Dec'.  1812 

I enclose  you  a small  paper  of  the  Agrostis  stolonifera  or  Fiorin-grass, 
which  I rec*.  from  the  Edenburg  Botanic  Garden.  This  grass  had  been 
highly  spoken  of  in  that  country,  but  I fear  it  will  not  prove  equal  to 
the  report  given  of  it,  and  I conceive  that  it  grows  wild  about  this  City, 
whether  indigenous  or  introduced  I cannot  say ; however,  next  season  I 
will  have  a fair  comparison  of  the  imported  and  aparently  indigenous 
kinds,  and  I think  both  will  turn  out  to  be  the  same  species. 

I also  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  enclosing  you  some  superior  China 
Pink  and  Auricula  seeds;  the  latter  should  be  sown  sometime  in  this 
month,  as  directed  in  page  646  of  my  work  on  Gardening.  . . . (Jef- 
ferson Papers j L.  C. ) 


(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  A.  Goodman.) 

[Memorandum  Poplar  Forest\  Dec.  13.  1812. 

. . . Supposing  there  are  40.  bacon  hogs  at  this  place  & 32.  at  Bear 
creek  reserve  23.  for  the  negroes,  which  allows  a hog  apiece  for  Hal  & 
Jame  Hubbard,  and  half  a one  for  every  grown  & working  negro,  keep 
6.  for  my  use  & Chisolm’s  then  take  out  the  Overseer’s  parts  and  send 
the  rest  to  Monticello  vnth  the  muttons,  send  also  Sally  & Maria  to 
learn  to  weave  & spin,  if  you  can  fix  the  time  when  the  hogs  will  be 
ready,  I will  send  up  some  of  the  young  people  from  Monticello  who 
want  to  visit  their  relations  here  and  they  will  return  with  the  waggon 
& drove  & assist  in  driving  them.  Billy  is  also  to  go,  and  can  aid  in 
driving. 

The  winter’s  work  is  to  be  i.  moving  fences,  to  wit,  the  fences  for 
the  curtilage  of  the  house  as  laid  off  by  Cap‘  Slaughter,  that  for  the 
meadow  by  the  still,  and  inclosing  the  Tomahawk  field. 

a.  roads,  to  wit,  to  change  the  road  from  the  smith’s  shop  down 
round  the  foot  of  the  hill  de  across  the  meadow  to  where  it  will  join  mf 
Darnell’s  part  on  the  Ridge  branch ; & to  assist  him  in  making  the  road 
down  Bear  branch,  and  up  into  the  public  road  as  Griffin  marked  it.  1 
have  the  establishment  of  this  road  extremely  at  heart,  which  will  de< 
pend  entirely  on  it’s  being  done  in  an  unexceptionable  manner. 


jErFERSON’s  Garden  Book 


493 


1812] 

3.  the  negro  houses  all  to  be  mended. 

4.  the  meadow  grounds  which  are  cleared  or  nearly  so,  & only  want 
cleaning,  to  be  got  in  order  for  timothy,  the  meadow  at  Coleman’s  to 
be  sowed  with  his  leave. 

all  the  rest  of  the  winter  to  be  employed  in  belting  and  clearing  lands 
on  the  other  side  of  the  South  branch  of  Tomahawk,  to  be  prepared  for 
a crop  of  tobacco,  taking  care  of  the  wood  for  rails  & for  coalwood  and 
stacking  what  remains,  clearing  & cleaning  such  meadow  grounds  as  are 
adjacent  to  your  clearing, 
sow  about  half  an  acre  of  hemp. 

Sow  a bed  of  Carrots,  & one  of  Salsaha,  each  about  as  large  as  the 
Asparagus  bed;  and  sow  a small  bed  of  spinach.  Long  haricots  to  be 
planted  as  usual,  & lettuce  to  be  sown  in  the  spring,  if  a thimblefull  of 
seed  could  be  sowed  every  other  Monday,  on  a bed  of  4.  f.  wide  & 6,  or 
8.  feet  long  it  would  be  best,  as  I should  then  always  hnd  some  fit  for 
use  when  I come.  (Courtesy  of  Dr,  A.  S.  W.  Rosenbach.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Clay.) 

Poplar  Forest  Dec.  14.  la. 

I go  certainly  tomorrow,  wind  Sc  weather  permitting,  and  both  have 
abated  considerably.  I promised  you  some  sprout  Kale  seed,  which  I 
now  send.  I do  not  remember  to  have  seen  Salsafia  in  your  garden,  & 
yet  it  is  one  of  the  best  roots  for  the  winter,  some  call  it  oyster  plant 
because  fried  in  butter  it  can  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  a fried 
oyster.  I send  you  some  seed,  it  is  to  be  sowed  and  manag;ed  as  car- 
rots & to  be  taken  up  at  the  same  time  & put  away  for  winter  use.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

From  the  Farm  Book  1774—1822: 

1812.  Sep.  in  making  the  Carlton  path  on  the  high  mountain,  thro’ 
the  woods  & exceedingly  steep,  Wormly  & Ned  did  about  50 
yds  a day,  4 f.  wide,  which  is  25.,  yds  apiece. 

From  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book  1776—1820: 

April.  1812.  the  two  fish  ponds  on  the  Colle  branch  were  40.  days 
work  to  grub,  clean,  & make  the  dams.  {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

From  the  Account  Book  i8og—i820: 

Mar.  19.  p®.  Gnovanini  for  work  in  vineyard  i.  D, 

Mar.  21.  a waggoner  for  bringing  seeds  i.  D. 

April  20,  gave  James  3.  D.  to  procure  carp  at  Ashlin’s  for  the  pond. 
April  26.  gave  James  a 2*  time  to  buy  live  carp  for  the  pond  5,  D. 


494 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1812 


Planting  Memorandum  for  Poplar  Forest,  1812: 

t8i2,  Jan.  planted  Aspens  from  Monticello.  May  19.  5.  living. 

Calycanthuses.  May  19;  i*  living. 

Alpine  strawberries,  living. 

White  strawberries,  living, 

Nov.  plant  a double  row  of  paper  mulberries  from  stairways 
to  the  Mounds. 

Clump  of  Athenian  & Balsam  poplars  at  each  corner  of 
house,  intermix  locusts,  common  and  Kentucky,  red- 
buds, dogwoods,  calycanthus,  liriodendron. 

Nov.  20.  there  are  living  31.  Golden  willows,  19.  Weeping 
willows.  10.  Athenian  Poplars,  3.  Lombardy  pop- 
lars, & 2 Mont°.  Aspens. 

Nov.  26.  the  road  & outer  gate  leading  from  the  house  to  the 
Waterlick  road  bears  S.  43i  W.  Magnetically  179. 
po,  to  the  center  of  the  house. 

25-27.  took  from  the  Nursery  Se  planted  in  the  grounds 
round  the  house 

20.  weeping  willows.  30.  golden  willows.  10. 
Athenian  poplars.  3.  Lombardy  poplars.  2. 
Mont®.  Aspens.  16.  Calycanthuses. 

27.  planted  in  the  Nursery.  i2.  Mont®.  Aspens. 
16.  paper  mulberries. 

Dec,  5.  planted  Mont®.  Aspens  from  mf  Clay’s,  viz. 

12.  round  the  Eastern  mound  & 4,  round  West  d®. 
6.  still  wanting. 

planted  also  2.  European  mulberries  from  mf  Clay’s 
as  part  of  the  double  row  from  the  Western  Mound 
towards  the  house. 

from  the  wall  of  the  Western  Stairway  to  the  foot 
of  the  Western  mound  91.  feet. 

Eastern  d®. Eastern  d®.  84.  feet. 

from  the  N.  door  along  the  circular  road  to  the  gate 
due  South  from  the  house  is  270.  yds.  Consq’^  540. 
yds  round,  plant  a row  of  paper  mulberries  on  each 
side  all  around  except  the  curve  at  the  N.  door;  at 
20  f,  apart,  will  take  about  160.  trees, 
plant  on  each  bank,  right  & left,  on  the  S.  side  of 
the  house,  a row  of  IUrcs,  Althaeas,  Gelder  roses, 
Roses,  Calycanthus.  {Jefferson  Papers^  U.  Va.) 


i8i3-  (continued) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


497 


1813. 


Mar.  aa.  Guinea  grass'  from  D'.  Brown’  Terras  F.  7. 

Apr.  a.  Fiorin  roots.'  in  F.  8.  9. 

10.  planted  in  Nursery  peach  stones  as  follows 

Terras  i.W.  ax.  early  soft  peaches,  from  ror  Clay* 

I.  £.  a6.  large  yellow  soft,  ripe  Sep.  i.  Clay 
4.  £.  a6.  line  white  soft  Clay 

4.  W.  13.  large  white  soft.  Pop.  for.” 

5.  W.  z6,  Malta  peaches. 

5.  E.  108.  line  soft  peaches  of  Aug.  Clay 

Dates  of  Asparagus  coming  to  table." 


*794- 

Apr. 

7 

1814. 

Apr. 

13- 

1795 

. . . 

la 

1815 

Mar. 

31. 

6. 

. . . 

3 

18x6. 

Apr. 

S- 

7- 

Mar. 

*3- 

>7- 

Apr. 

II. 

9. 

Apr. 

*4 

31. 

Apr. 

8. 

1804. 

s s a 

13 

1810. 

a . a 

13- 

II. 

e a a 

3 

la 

a a a 

8 

u* 

... 

XI. 

‘.  5“.  or  6 . put  a.  chubs"  from  Carl 
lower  one. 

put  5,  more  from  Ja'.  P.  Cocke"  into  d' 
Dates  of  Artichokes  coming  to  table. 


from  Cartersville " into  the  lish  pond. 


1794.  May  31.  1818.  June  a6. 

9i.  June  S.  X819.  June  t4. 

99.  ...  la. 

i8ro.  July.  6* 

II.  May  aS. 

13.  June  7. 

14- 

15- 

16.  June  II. 

»7- 

"planted  Mar.  aa.  preceding. 

July  6,  cymlins  "I 

4.  cucumbers  ^from  rars  Lewis.” 

II.  corn J 

14.  figs. 

29,  tomatas 

Oct.  6.  Nursery.  5*".  terras. 

W.  end  4.  fine  Heath  peach  stones.  Caiysbrook” 

next  za.  fine  soft  white.  like  Brock’s  1 

33.  very  good  soft  ^ from  Poplar  Forest 

8.  d' J 

Dec.  34.  filled  the  ice  house  with  snow. 

1815.  Mar.  a.  the  ice  having  sunk  5.  or  6.f.  was  now  replenished 
with  ice  fiom  the  river.” 

Method  of  distinguishing  or  designating  the  terrasses”  below  the 
garden  wall,  according  to  the  squares  of  the  garden  to  which  they 
are  opposite. 

A.  the  curved  terrases  at  the  West  end  of  the  garden. 

I.  a.  3.  4.  vacant. 

5.  6.  Alpine  strawberries. 

7.  Walk  being  a prolongation  gf  a.  the  Terras  Walk. 

8.  9.  so.  II.  la.  i3f  14.  ij.  vacant. 


June  a6. 
June  14. 


June  II. 


498 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


C1813 


B.  opposite  to  squares  I.  II.  III. 

i' . or  Submural  figs.  a*,  the  Walk. 

3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  Hudson  strawberries. 

C.  IV.  V,  VI.  squares.  i“.  hops, 
next  below  is  the  old  Nursery. 

D.  VII.  VIII.  IX.  X. 

Submural.  Frame  peas, 
s'*,  vacant  for  Fruits, 
below  is  the  W.  Vineyard. 

£.  Xt.  XII.  submural.  Frame  peas.  3.  vacant  for  fruits, 
below  are  the  squares  of  gooseberries,  rasps,  currans. 

F.  XUI.  XIV.  XV. 

3".  vacant  for  Roots, 
below  is  E.  Vineyard. 

G.  XVI.  XVII.  XVIII.  Submural  Asparagus. 

3'.  vacant  for  Leaves.  Raw. 

H.  XIX.  etc. 

s'*,  vacant  for  Leaves.  Dressed. 


Location  of  each  article.  1S13.** 


Peas.  Bord.  I-V.  Sq.  I.  II.  III.  IV.  Terras. 
Snaps.  Sq.  V.  VII. 

Haricots  red.  VI. 

Harricots  long.  Terras.  A.  i.  4. 

Limas  a.  3. 


Cucumbers.  Sq.  VIII. 

Gerkins.  XII.  a. 

Nasturtium.  IX 

Tomatas.  X.  Bord.  X. 

Okra.  X. 

Artichokes  XI. 


Squashes. 

Carrots. 

Salsafia. 

Beets 

Garlic.  . 

Leeks, 

Onions. 

Scallions. 

Shalots. 

Chives. 


XII. 

XIII.  Terras.  A.  10.  xi.  is. 

XIV.  1.  F.  3.  G.  3- 

s. 

3- 

4* 

XV. 

XVI.  X. 
a. 

Terras.  C.  x. 


D.  I.  3. 


Lettuce  XVH.  Bord.  VI.  VIII.  IX 

Terragon.  x.  N.  Terras.  H.  3. 

Celery.  XVIII. 

Spinach  Bord.  XI.  XII.  Terras  E.  3. 

Sorrel.  H.  3. 

^ _t_l_  a V a • 


Cabbage,  early  dwarf. 

York. 

Savoy. 

Sprout  Kale. 

Panl  corn. 

Ravensworths.  ...  A.  15. 

Homony  beans. 

Arkansa  pea A.  14. 

Swedish  turnep.  Ter.  A.  .14. 

Potatoes  Early. 

French  black  eyed  pea.  among  Pan!  corn 


E.  I. 


Jeffbrson’s  Garden  Book 


499 


500 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


■S  "IIAX  •'>s 


i8i3]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  ^01 

‘ 1813.  The  war  with  England  was  almost  one  year  old. 
Although  the  United  States  had  won  victories,  there  had  also 
been  reverses.  The  Chesapeake  Bay  was  closely  blockaded; 
this  prevented  free  shipping  and  caused  much  hardship  in  Vir- 
ginia and  the  adjoining  states.  Jefferson,  at  Monticello,  wrote 
letters  to  President  Madison  and  others  about  the  progress  of 
the  war,  and  in  them  offered  suggestions  which  he  thought 
would  hasten  the  victory  for  the  United  States.  The  war  was 
having  a profound  effect  on  his  own  finances. 

He  was  removed,  however,  from  the  center  of  the  activity 
of  the  war,  so  that  he  could  still  enjoy  the  peace  of  his  Monti- 
cello  and  Poplar  Forest.  The  following  letter  to  his  old 
friend,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Trist,  gives  us  a glimpse  of  the  life  at 
the  two  estates. 

Poplar  Forest,  May  w,  ’13. 

I brought  the  inclosed  book  to  this  place,  the  last  fall,  intending  to 
forward  it  to  you;  but  having  a neighbor  here  who  loves  to  laugh,  I 
lent  it  to  him  to  read ; he  lent  it  to  another,  and  so  it  went  the  rounds 
of  the  neighborhood  and  is  returned  to  me  at  my  Spring  visit  to  this 
place.  I now  forward  it,  and  if  it  diverts  you  for  an  hour  or  two,  I 
shall  be  gratified  by  it.  I was  myself  amused  by  its  humor  as  much  as 
its  object  would  permit  me  to  be ; for  that  is  evidently  to  deride  the  Re- 
publican branches  of  our  government.  I left  all  well  at  Monticello, 
except  Benjamin  whose  health  is  very  precarious.  Lewis  is  become  the 
favorite  of  all.  his  vivacity,  his  intelligence,  & his  beauty  (for  the  mark 
on  his  forehead  is  disappearing)  make  him  a perfect  pet.  you  will  per- 
ceive from  these  senile  details  of  the  nursery  that  I am  becoming  old. 
I wish  I had  no  other  proofs,  but  I am  weakening  very  sensibly.  I can 
walk  no  further  than  my  garden.  I ride,  however,  and  in  a carriage  can 
come  here  without  fatigue.  I fear  however  this  will  not  long  be  the 
case,  your  friends  Mr.  & Mrs.  Divers,  tho’  they  think  themselves  get- 
ting crazy  are  in  better  health  than  usual.  I am  hastening  back  to  their 
first  pea  dinner,  but  I think  I shall  be  too  late.  In  your  Southern  situa- 
tion I presume  you  have  them  now.  Mr.  Randolph  has  been  seized 
with  the  military  fever.  He  expects  to  be  called  to  his  regiment  at 
Black  Rock  this  month.  He  will  be  a great  loss  to  his  family,  and  no 
man  in  the  world  a greater  one  to  his  affairs.  . . . {Glimpses  of  the 
Past,  Missouri,  3:  I30.) 

The  friendship  between  Jefferson  and  John  Adams  grew 
more  felicitous.  Letters  passed  more  frequently.  Letters 
also  renewed  the  friendship  with  Mrs.  Adams,  but  Jefferson 
lost  a close  friend  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush  in  April. 
He  had  been  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


502 


[1813 


pendence,  and  had  been  the  avenue  through  which  the  friend- 
ship of  Jefferson  and  Adams  had  been  renewed. 

A new  friend  came  into  Jefferson’s  life  this  year  in  the  per- 
son of  Jose  Francisco  Correa  da  Scrra,  a learned  botanist, 
Portuguese  Minister  Plenipotentiary  at  Washington,  and  a 
man  of  wide  interests,  who  visited  him  at  Monticello.  After 
Mr.  Correa’s  visit,  Jefferson  wrote  to  Mr.  Du  Pont : 

I am  indebted  to  you  also  for  your  letter  by  Mr.  Correa,  and  the  bene- 
fit it  procured  me  of  his  acquaintance.  He  was  so  kind  as  to  pay  me  a 
visit  at  Monticello,  which  enabled  me  to  see  for  myself  that  he  was  still 
beyond  all  the  eulogies  with  which  yourself  and  other  friends  had  pre- 
conized  him.  Learned  beyond  any  one  I had  before  met  with,  good, 
modest  and  of  the  simplest  manners,  the  idea  of  losing  him  again  filled 
me  with  regret.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  19:  196.) 

The  following  year  William  Short  wrote  to  Jefferson  from 
Philadelphia:  “Correa  is  here  & has  been  for  some  time.  He 
was  enchanted  with  Monticello  & delighted  with  the  owner,  & 
intends  repeating  his  visit  in  the  spring  or  summer.”  {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  M.  H.  C.,  i:  190.) 

Jefferson  was  at  Poplar  Forest  three  times  during  the  year. 
The  visits  were  made  in  the  spring,  late  summer,  and  early 
winter.  His  house  there  was  nearing  completion. 

Extensive  plantings  were  made  at  Monticello  in  the  garden, 
orchard,  and  fields,  but  the  weather  was  unfavorable  so  that 
poor  crops  were  harvested.  Jefferson  wrote  to  James  Madi- 
son from  Monticello,  on  July  13: 

We  are  at  the  close  of  the  poorest  harvest  I have  ever  seen.  I shall 
not  carry  into  my  barn  more  than  one-third  of  an  ordinary  crop.  But 
one  rain  to  wet  the  ground  since  April.  A remarkably  drying  wind 
with  great  heat  the  first  days  of  the  harvest,  dried  up  the  skin  of  the 
wheat  so  that  it  fell  before  the  scythe  instead  of  being  cut.  I have  seen 
harvests  lost  by  wet,  but  never  before  saw  one  lost  by  dry  weather.  I 
have  suffered  more  by  the  drought  than  my  neighbors.  Most  of  them 
will  make  half  a crop,  some  two  thirds.  Much  of  the  evil  had  been 
prepared  by  the  winter  and  the  fly.  It  is  not  too  late  yet  for  the  corn 
to  recover  should  there  come  rains  shortly.  It  never  was  seen  so  low 
before  at  this  date.  Our  gardens  are  totdly  burnt  up  and  the  river  so 
low  that  you  can  almost  jump  over  it  in  some  places,  (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  19:  191-193.) 

Details  about  the  arrangement  of  the  vegetable  garden  and 
the  calendar  of  plants  and  seeds  to  be  planted  were  recorded 
in  the  Garden  Book  as  in  1812.  More  detailed  accounts  of 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1813] 


503 


the  terraces  below  the  garden  wall  were  added.  Letters  con- 
tinued to  flow  to  and  from  JeSerson  about  agricultural  mat- 
ters, and  the  exchange  of  plants  went  on  unabated. 

’ James  Ronaldson,  of  Philadelphia. 

* See  letters,  Jefferson  to  Richard  Fitzhugh,  April  25,  1813; 
Fitzhugh  to  Jefferson,  May  9,  1813;  and  Jefferson  to  Fitz- 
hugh, May  27,  1813. 

* Cucumis  anguria  L.  Gherkin.  (See  letter,  Jefferson  to 
Randolph  Jefferson,  June  20,  1813.) 

® See  letter,  Jefferson  to  John  Taylor,  June  8,  1795. 

• Panicutn  maximum  Jacq.  Guinea-grass.  (Sec  letter,  Jef- 
ferson to  Dr.  Samuel  Brown,  April  17,  1813.) 

^ Dr.  Samuel  Brown  (1769-1830)  was  born  in  what  is  now 
Rockbridge  County.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Benjamin 
Rush,  of  Philadelphia,  and  spent  two  years  at  Edinburgh. 
He  practiced  medicine  at  Bladensburg,  Maryland;  Lexington, 
Kentucky;  New  Orleans;  and  Huntsville,  Alabama.  About 
1819  he  accepted  a chair  at  Transylvania  College,  at  Lexing- 
ton, Kentucky,  where  he  stayed  until  1825.  {Diet.  Am.  Biog. 
3:152.) 

*Agrostis  palustris  Huds.  Fiorin  grass.  (See  letters, 
Jefferson  to  McMahon,  January  11,  1813,  and  Jefferson  to  J. 
Chambers,  March  4,  1813.) 

• The  Reverend  Charles  Clay,  of  Bedford  County,  Virginia. 

” Poplar  Forest,  Bedford  County,  Virginia. 

Jefferson  often  made  summaries  of  this  kind.  In  the  case 
of  vegetables  the  summary  gave  him  a knowledge  of  the  for- 
wardness and  lateness  of  the  seasons,  so  that  he  knew  at  about 
what  time  to  expect  certain  articles  for  the  table.  See  below, 
“Dates  of  Artichokes  coming  to  table.” 

Chub.  In  America  the  word  chub  is  used  locally  to  mean 
any  of  several  very  different  fishes,  as  the  Black  Bass,  etc. 

” See  letters,  James  P.  Cocke  to  Jefferson,  May  18,  1813, 
and  Jefferson  to  James  P.  Cocke,  May  22,  1813. 

James  Powell  Cocke  (1748-1829),  life-long  contempo- 
rary and  friend  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  was  the  last  of  his  line 
to  live  at  the  ancestral  home  Malvern  Hills  in  Henrico  County 
on  James  River.  Not  long  after  the  end  of  the  Revolutionary 
War  he  sold  Malvern  HUls  to  Robert  Nelson,  taking  in  ex- 
change 1,600  acres  of  land  in  the  North  Garden  of  Albemarle 
County.  In  1791  he  purchased  Springhill  in  Augusta  County, 


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[1813 


and  two  years  later  he  moved  from  the  Valley  to  Albemarle 
County,  where  he  built  his  home  called  Edgemont  on  the  south 
fork  of  the  Hardware  River,  and  where  he  lived  all  the  rest 
of  his  days.  The  house  at  Edgemont  was  built  according  to 
plans  drawn  by  Thomas  Jefferson.  {Virginia  Mag.  Hist, 
and  Biography  43:  80-81,  1935,  and  44:  129,  1936.  Cour- 
tesy of  Professor  James  P.  C.  Southall.) 

Probably  Mrs.  Nicholas  Lewis,  of  The  Farm,  Albemarle 
County. 

Carysbrook,  Fluvanna  County,  Virginia,  was  the  home 
of  Wilson  Miles  Cary  (1723—1817). 

Rivanna  River. 

This  was  the  first  complete  plan  of  the  Terraces  below 
the  vegetable  garden  and  wall. 

Compare  with  the  “Arrangement  of  the  Garden”  for 
1812,  and  the  “Disposition  of  grounds,  1813.” 

Atriplex  hortensis  L.  Orach. 

" Hibiscus  esculentus  L.  Okra. 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1813 
(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  Jan.  11.  13. 

I have  too  long  delayed  returning  you  thanks  for  your  favors  of  Nov. 
24.  Sc  Dec.  I.  and  the  hyacinth  roots  with  the  seeds  of  the  China  pink, 
Auricula,  & fion'n  grass,  which  came  safely  to  hand.  I had  in  a former 
letter  mentioned  that  I should  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity  of  a 
young  medical  student  going  on  to  Philadelphia  to  send  you  a box  of 
seeds  which  I received  from  M.  Thouin  of  the  National  garden  of 
France,  they  had  arrived  too  late  for  spring  sowing,  the  gentleman 
I had  in  view,  went  off  so  suddenly  that  I missed  the  opportunity  of 
getting  the  box  into  his  hands.  I have  been  waiting  since  in  the  hope 
some  other  passenger  might  be  going  on;  but  none  having  occurred  & 
the  season  beginning  to  approach,  I have  sent  it  to  a friend  in  Richmond, 
between  that  place  & Philadelphia  there  is  a frequent  intercourse  by 
passengers,  and  my  friend  will  find  some  one  who  will  take  care-  of  the 
box  by  the  way  and  deliver  it  safely  to  you.  on  the  subject  of  the  Fiorin 
grass,  I received  2.  years  s^o  some  roots  from  Ireland,  which  we  planted 
in  moist  ground,  and  took  care  of.  they  flourished  handsomely  till  the 
warm  season,  when  the  warmth  of  the  sun  & otir  cloudless  climate  proved 
too  much  for  them,  the  last  spring  I received  some  of  the  seed  from 
Edinburg  and  sowed  a part  in  a moist  meadow,  & a litde  in  boxes,  the 
former  failed,  the  latter  came  up  well,  but  the  sun  destroyed  it.  I will 
carefully  repeat  the  experiment  with  what  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to 
send  me,  but  I fear  it  requires  the  protection  of  the  clouds,  fogs,  & drip- 


Jsfferson’s  GARDRiir  Book 


1813] 


SOS 


ping  climate  of  Ireland,  of  all  of  which  our  clinnate  presents  the  reverse. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Ronaldson.) 

Monticello,  January  12,  1813. 

Your  favor  of  November  ad  arrived  a little  before  I set  out  on  a 
journey  on  which  I was  absent  between  five  and  six  weeks.  I have  still 
therefore  to  return  you  my  thanks  for  the  seeds  accompanying  it,  which 
shall  be  duly  taken  care  of,  and  a communication  made  to  others  of  such 
as  shall  prove  valuable.  I have  been  long  endeavoring  to  procure  the 
Cork  tree  from  Europe,  but  without  success.  A plant  which  I brought 
with  me  from  Paris  died  after  languishing  some  time,  and  of  several 
parcels  of  acorns  received  from  a correspondent  at  Marseilles,  not  one 
has  ever  vegetated.  I shall  continue  my  endeavors,  although  disheart- 
ened by  the  nonchalance  of  our  Southern  fellow  citizens,  with  whom 
alone  they  can  thrive.  It  is  now  twenty-five  years  since  I sent  them  two 
shipments  (about  500  plants)  of  the  Olive  tree  of  Aix,  the  finest  Olives 
in  the  world.  If  any  of  them  still  exist,  it  is  merely  as  a curiosity  in 
their  gardens;  not  a single  orchard  of  them  has  been  planted.  I sent 
them  also  the  celebrated  species  of  Sainfoin,  from  Malta,  which  yields 
good  crops  without  a drop  of  rain  through  the  season.  It  was  lost. 
The  upland  rice  which  I procured  fresh  from  Africa  and  sent  them,  has 
been  preserved  and  spread  in  the  upper  parts  of  Georgia,  and  I believe 
in  Kentucky.  But  we  must  acknowledge  their  services  in  furnishing  us 
an  abimdance  of  cotton,  a substitute  for  silk,  flax  and  hemp.  The  ease 
with  which  it  is  spun  will  occasion  it  to  supplant  the  two  last,  and  its 
cleanliness  the  first.  Household  manufacture  is  taking  deep  root  with 
us.  I have  a carding  machine,  two  spinning  machines,  and  looms  with 
the  flying  shuttle  in  full  operation  for  clothing  my  own  family;  and  I 
verily  believe  that  by  the  next  winter  this  State  will  not  need  a yard  of 
imported  coarse  or  middling  clothing.  I think  we  have  already  a sheep 
for  every  inhabitant,  which  will  suffice  for  clothing,  and  one-third  more, 
which  a single  year  will  add,  will  furnish  blanketing.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13;  204-205.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  February  8,  1813. 

. . . The  autumn  and  winter  have  been  most  unfriendly  to  the  wheat 
in  red  lands,  by  continued  cold  and  alternate  frosts  and  thaws.  The 
late  snow  of  about  ten  inches  now  disappearing,  has  relieved  it.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  320.) 

(Randolph  Jefferson  to  Jefferson.) 

[Snowden]  Fcby  24;  1813 

Dear  Brother, 

, I have  sent  Squire  over  to  you  for  the  garden  seeds  you  were  $0  kind 
as  to  promise  us.  . . . {Carr-Cary  Papers,  U.  Va.) 


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[1813 


(Bernard  McMahon  to  Jefferson.) 

Philadelphia  a?*"*.  Feb^.  1813 

I do  myself  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  herewith  a small  packet  of 
Oats  raised  by  myself;  it  is  the  produce  of  the  5‘**.  annual  crop,  after  the 
original  importation  (by  myself)  from  Ireland,  where,  as  well  as  in 
England  and  Scotland,  it  is  known  by  the  trivial  name  of  Potatoe  Oats. 
The  seed  I imported  5 years  ago  weighed  40.  lb.  per  Bushel,  my  crop 
this  season  of  about  150  Bushels,  the  same  as  the  sample  I send  you  will 
average  42  or  very  near  it  per  bushel ; for  which  I am  now  able  to  com- 
mand from  our  neighbouring  farmers  who  have  seen  it  growing,  $2  per 
bushel,  for  seed,  and  a demmand  for  much  more  than  I have  this  sea^n. 

1 would  advise  you  to  sow  the  sample  I send  you,  as  soon  as  possible, 
that  is  to  say,  the  very  first  day  that  the  ground  will  plough  and  harrow 
freely:  the  earlier  in  the  season  the  better,  tomorrow  if  it  was  possible. 
By  good  seed,  good  ground,  proper  management,  and  early  sowing,  I am 
convinced  that  we  can  have  as  good  Oats  in  the  middle  and  eastern 
States,  as  in  any  part  of  Europe,  and  as  productive  and  abundant  crops. 

I am  extremely  obliged  to  you  for  your  effort  to  have  the  box  of  seeds 
forwarded  to  me  as  early  in  the  season  as  possible,  but  I have  not  yet 
received  it,  nor  heard  from  your  friend  in  Richmond.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Randolph  Jefferson.) 

[Monticello]  Mar  2.  13. 

Dear  Brother, 

Having  been  from  home  the  last  fall  during  most  of  the  season  for 
saving  seeds,  I find  on  examination  that  my  gardener  has  made  a Very 
scanty  provision,  of  that  however  I send  enough  to  put  you  in  stock: 
to  wit  Early  Frame  peas.  Ledman’s  peas,  long  haricots,  red  haricots, 
grey  snaps  Lima  beans,  carrots,  parsneps.  sdsafia.  spinach.  Sprout 
Kale,  tomatas  I have  sent  you  none  of  the  following  because  all  your 
neighbors  can  furnish  them,  & my  own  stock  is  short,  towit  Let- 
tuce radidi.  cucumbers,  squashes  cabbages,  turneps.  mrs.  Ran- 
dolph makes  up  some  flower  seeds  for  my  sister.  . . . (Carr-Cary 
Papers,  U.  Va.) 


(Jefferson,  to  J.  Chambers.) 

Monticello  Mar.  4,  13. 

The  roots  of  the  florin  grass  which  you  were  so  kind  as  to  forward  to 
me  were  received,  with  still  enough  of  life  in  many  of  them  to  encourage 
the  hope  of  their  doing  well,  the  hill  on  which  I live  being  entirely  dry 
& of  a thirsty  soil,  I got  im  son  in  law,  mf  Randolph,  to  take  them  to 
his  place,  about  4.  miles  off,  and  set  them  out  in  a moist  and  favorable 
spot  there,  he  inclosed  diem  in  a triangular  pen.  they  recovered  their 
hfe  perf  etitly  and  gave  the  highest  hopes  of  their  success,  but  when  our  < 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


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1813] 

hot  sun  of  July  & August  came  on,  it  appeared  to  kill  them  completely; 
and  I never  doubted  their  being  entirely  lost,  till,  on  the  occasion  of 
your  letter,  I enquired  again  into  the  subject,  and  was  told  the  plants 
had  recovered  again  in  autumn,  & had  taken  a new  growth,  the  ground 
being  covered  with  snow  at  that  time  I deferred  answering  your  letter 
till  the  snow  should  be  gone,  and  I might  go  & examine  the  plants, 
this  has  not  been  till  lately.  I fotmd  that  in  the  autumn  they  had  taken 
a luxuriant  growth;  had  filled  the  pen  compleatly,  and  now  formed  a 
mat  of  about  4.  I.  thick  on  the  ground,  but  so  killed  by  the  winter  as  to 
be  like  other  dry  winter  killed  grass,  of  course  not  convertible  into 
hay.  I shall  now  make  trial  of  it  here  on  my  hill  to  see  if  it  will  an- 
swer in  a dry  soil.  I suspect  it  to  be  a grass  peculiarly  adapted  to  the 
humid  climate  & the  covered  sky  & mild  winter  of  Ireland,  but  doubtful 
under  our  hot  sun,  cloudless  skies  & severe  cold  of  winter,  but  yet  it 
may  possibly  give  us  a good  growth  in  spring  before  the  summer  hepts 
set  in,  and  another  after  they  are  over  in  autumn  & before  the  severe 
cold  comes  on.  I will  give  a careful  trial  in  the  hope  that  sufficient  ex- 
periments may  point  out  the  situations  in  which  we  also  may  participate 
of  it’s  benefits.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  G.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  H.  Cocke.) 

Monticello  Mar.  12.  13. 

Th : Jefferson  presents  his  compliments  to  mr  Cocke,  whose  servant  is 
desired  to  take  as  many  Broom  plants  as  he  pleases,  but  having  never 
found  them  to  succeed  by  transplantation,  he  sends  him  some  seed,  which 
generally  succeeds,  altho  sometimes  it  does  not  come  up  till  the  second 
spring,  he  sends  him  also  a little  seed  of  the  Sprout-Kale,  a plant  he  re- 
ceived from  the  National  garden  of  France  about  3 years  ago,  never  be- 
fore in  this  country,  it  is  to  be  sown  & managed  as  the  Cabbage,  but 
to  stand  in  it’s  place  thro’  the  winter  uncovered ; it’s  only  use  is  to  fur- 
nish sprouts,  of  which  it  will  yield  2.  or  3.  crops  of  6.  or  8 I.  long,  in  a 
winter,  beginning  in  December  & continuing  thro’  the  whole  winter, 
till  the  plant  goes  to  seed  in  the  spring,  it  is  a tender  & delicious  winter 
vegetable.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  Caruthers.) 

Monticello  Mar.  12.  13 

Your  letter  of  Feb.  3 has  been  received,  and  in  answer  to  your  en- 
quiries respecting  sheep,  I will  state  that  1 have  three  distinct  races  which 
I keep  at  different  places.  1.  Merinos;  of  these  I have  but  2.  ewes,  and 
of  course  none  to  spare.  President  Madison  has  been  more  successful, 
and  sells  some  ram  lambs,  but  not  ewes,  the  Merino  is  a diminutive 
tender  sheep,  yielding  very  little  wool,  but  that  of  extraordinary  fine- 
ness, fit  only  for  the  finest  broadcloths,  but  not  at  all  for  country  use. 
1 do  not  know  mf.  Madison’s  prices,  but  in  general  the  price  of  these 
rams  is  fallen  to  from  30.  to  100.  D.  a piece,  the  wool  sells  high  to  the 
Northward  to  the  hatters,  but  our  hatters  do  not  know  how  to  use 


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[1813 


2.  I have  the  bigtail,  or  Barbarrjr  sheep.  I raise  it  chiefly  for  the  table, 
the  meat  being  higher  flavored  than  that  of  any  other  sheep,  and  easily 
kept  fat.  the  tail  is  large.  I have  seen  one  12.  I.  square  & weighing 
14.  lb.  they  encumber  the  animal  in  getting  out  of  the  way  of  dogs, 
and  are  an  obstacle  to  propagation  without  attentions  which  we  do  not 
pay  to  them,  they  are  well  sized,  & well  fleeced  but  the  wool  is  apt  to 
be  coarse  & hairy.  3.  I have  a Spanish  race,  the  ram  of  which  I re- 
ceived from  Spain  in  1794.  I bred  from  him  7.  years  in  and  in,  suffer- 
ing no  other  ram  on  the  place,  and  after  his  death  I still  selected  the 
flnest  of  his  race  to  succeed  him,  so  that  the  ram  may  now  be  considered 
as  pure  as  the  original,  they  are  above  common  size,  finely  formed,  the 
hardiest  race  we  have  ever  known,  scarcely  ever  losing  a lamb  fully 
fleeced,  the  belly  & legs  down  to  the  hoof  covered  with  wool,  & the  wool 
of  fine  quality,  some  of  it  as  fine  as  the  half  blood  Merino,  we  consider 
it  the  finest  race  of  sheep  ever  known  in  this  country,  having  never  cut 
or  killed  a ram  lamb  of  them,  but  given  them  out  to  those  who  wished 
them,  this  part  of  the  country  is  well  stocked  with  them,  and  they  sell 
at  the  public  sales  50.  per  cent  higher  than  the  country  sheep.  I sent 
my  flock  of  them  to  a place.I  have  in  Bedfordf,  where  they  are  beginning 
to  be  known  & in  great  demand,  if  you  should  wish  to  get  into  this 
breed,  and  will  accept  of  a pair  of  lambs  the  ensuing  summer,  you  shall 
be  wdcome  to  them.  ...  1 have  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  them  the 
fittest  sheep  in  the  world  for  that  country.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Samuel  Brown.) 

Monticello  Apr.  17.  1813 

Your  favor  of  Octob.  i.  came  to  hand  with  a note  from  mf  Poindexter, 
on  the  20^.  Ult.  as  also  the  Guinea  grass  seed,  and  Capsicum,  they 
were  exactly  in  time  for  sowing  and  were  immediately  sowed,  they  had 
got  mixed  by  the  way,  and  the  capsicum  seeds  were  difficult  to  find, 
not  more  than  three  or  four  could  be  discovered,  & these  rather  doubt- 
ful, I dibbled  them  however  in  a pot  to  give  them  their  best  chance, 
as  being  the  production  of  a more  Northern  climate  than  those  we  culti- 
vate I am  in  hopes  they  will  be  hardier,  and  if  so,  more  valuable,  of 
the  Guinea  grass  I know  little,  the  gentlemen  of  S.  Carolina  have  told 
me  of  it’s  importance  to  them,  and  I have  heard  it  yields  a good  growth 
in  the  West  Indies  in  the  driest  seasons,  as  we  also  are  subject  to  long 
droughts,^  this  grass  may  be  useful  to  us  when  such  occur.  I wish  my 
interior  situation  admitted  my  getting,  with  more  facility,  useful  articles 
of  the  growth  of  your  region,  and  which  would  stand  ours.  mfs.  Trist 
has  named  to  me  several  trees  of  use  and  ornament  with  you  which  would 
be  desirable  to  us.  but  the  safe  transportation  of  the  plant  itself  I know 
from  experience  to  be  desperate,  should  any  more  of  the  Capsicum  seed 
fall  into  your  hands,  it  will  come  safely  by  mail  in  a letter  and  will  be 
thankfully  received  J it  may  ensure  ^ success  of  the  plant,  should  the 
three  or  four  fail  which  I have  planted,  planting  is  one  of  my  great 
amusements,  and  even  of  those  things  whidi  can  only  be  for  posteri^, 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1813] 


509 


for  a Septuagenary  has  no  right  to  count  on  any  thing  beyond  annuals. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Charles  W.  Peale.) 

Monticello,  Apr.  17,  13. 

I had  long  owed  you  a letter  for  your  favor  of  Aug.  19,  when  I re- 
ceived eight  days  ago  that  of  Mar.  2,  i8ia  [=  1813].  . . . Both  your 
letters  are  on  the  subject  of  your  agricultural  operations,  and  both  prove 
the  ardor  with  which  you  are  pursuing  them.  . . . Your  position  that  a 
small  farm  well  worked  and  well  manned,  will  produce  more  than  a 
larger  one  ill-tended,  is  undoubtedly  true  in  a certain  degree.  There  are 
extremes  in  this  as  in  all  other  cases.  The  true  medium  may  really  be 
considered  and  stated  as  a mathematical  problem:  "Given  the  quantum 
of  labor  within  our  command,  and  land  ad  libitum  offering  it’s  spon- 
taneous contributions:  required  the  proportion  in  which  these  two  ele- 
ments should  be  employed  to  produce  a maximum.”  It  is  a difficult 
problem,  varying  probably  in  every  country  according  to  the  relative 
value  of  land  and  labor.  The  spontaneous  energies  of  the  earth  are  a 
gift  of  nature,  but  they  require  the  labor  of  man  to  direct  their  opera- 
tion. And  the  question  is  so  to  husband  his  labor  as  to  turn  the  greatest 
quantity  of  this  useful  action  of  the  earth  to  his  benefit.  Ploughing 
deep,  your  recipe  for  killing  weeds,  is  also  the  recipe  for  almost  every 
good  thing  in  farming.  Tm  plough  is  to  the  farmer  what  the  wand  is 
to  the  sorcerer.  It’s  effect  is  really  like  sorcery.  In  the  country  wherein 
I live  we  have  discovered  a new  use  for  it,  equal  in  value  almost  to  it’s 
services  before  known.  Our  country  is  hilly  and  we  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  ploughing  in  strait  rows  whether  up  and  down  hill,  in  oblique 
lines,  or  however  they  lead;  and  our  soil  was  all  rapidly  running  into 
the  rivers.  We  now  plough  horizontally  folowing  the  curvatures  of 
the  hills  and  hollows,  on  the  dead  level,  however  crooked  the  lines  may 
be.  Every  furrow  thus  acts  as  a reservoir  to  receive  and  retain  the 
waters,  all  of  which  go  to  the  benefit  of  the  growing  plant,  instead  of 
running  off  into  streams.  In  a farm  horizontally  and  deeply  ploughed, 
scarceljr  an  ounce  of  soil  is  now  carried  off  from  it.  In  point  of  beauty 
nothing'  can  exceed  that  of  the  waving  lines  & rows  winding  along  the 
face  of  the  hills  & vallies.  The  horses  draw  much  easier  on  the  dead 
level,  and  it  is  in  fact  a conversion  of  hilly  grounds  into  a plain.  The 
improvement  of  our  soil  from  this  cause  the  last  half  dozen  years,  strikes 
every  one  with  wonder.  For  this  improvement  we  are  indebted  to  my 
son-in-law,  Mr.  Randolph,  the  best  farmer,  I believe,  in  the  United 
States,  and  who  has  taught  us  to  make  more  than  two  blades  of  corn  to 
grow  where  only  one  grew  before.  If  your  farm  is  hilly,  let  me  beseech 
you  to  make  a trial  of  this  method.  To  direct  the  plough  horizontally 

we  take  a rafter  level  of  this  form  A boy  of  13  or  14  is  able 

to  work  it  round  the  hill,  a still  smaller  one  with  a little  hough  marking 
the  points  traced  by  the  feet  of  the  level.  The  plough  follows  running 


510 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1813 

thro’  these  marks.  The  leveller  having  compleated  one  level  line  thro’ 
the  field,  moves  with  his  level  30  or  40  yards  up  or  down  the  hill,  and 
runs  another  which  is  marked  in  like  manner  & traced  by  the  plough, 
and  having  thus  run  what  may  be  called  guide  furrows  every  30  or  40 
yards  thro  the  field,  the  ploughman  runs  the  furrows  of  the  intervals 
paralld  to  these.  In  proportion,  however,  as  the  declivitiy  of  the  hill 
varies  in  different  parts  of  the  line,  the  guide  furrows  will  approach  or 
recede  from  each  other  in  different  parts,  and  the  parallel  furrows  will 
at  length  touch  in  one  part,  when  far  asunder  in  others,  leaving  un- 
ploughed  gores  between  them.  These  gores  we  plough  separately. 
They  occasion  short  rows  & turnings  which  are  a little  inconvenient, 
but  not  materially  so.  I pray  you  try  this  recipe  for  hilly  grounds. 
You  will  say  with  me,  “Probatum  est,”  and  I shall  have  the  happiness 
of  being  of  some  use  to  you,  and  thro’  your  example  to  your  neighbors, 
and  of  adding  something  solid  to  the  assurances  of  my  great  esteem  & 
respect.  (^Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  1:  178-180.) 

(Jefferson  to  Richard  Fitzhugh.) 

Monticello  Apr.  25.  13. 

I have  unluckily  got  out  of  the  Ravensworth  pea,  which  I value  so 
highly  as  to  wish  to  recover  it.  I am  in  hopes  you  are  able  to  supply  me 
with  a little,  a few  peas  quilted  into  a piece  of  cloth,  so  as  to  lie  flat, 
of  the  size  and  form  of  a letter,  and  indosed  in  a paper  cover  and  di- 
rected to  me  as  a letter  by  mail  will  be  sufficient  to  put  me  in  seed  by 
another  year. 

I indose  you  the  seeds  of  a very  valuable  garden  vegetable  which  I 
received  from  France  3.  or  3.  years  ago,  it  is  called  Sprout  K^e.  it  is 
sowed  and  transplanted  as  other  Kale  or  Cabbages,  and  about  the  be- 
ginning of  December  it  begins  to  furnish  sprouts,  and  will  furnish  3. 
crops  of  them  thro  the  winter;  so  abundantly  that  a few  plants  will  give 
a dish  every  day.  it  stands  our  winter  perfectly  without  cover.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Richard  Fitzhugh  to  Jefferson.) 

Ravenswbrth  May  9*"*,  1813 

I send  you  agreeable  to  your  request  a few  of  the  Ravensworth  pea, 
and  am  sorry  that  the  mode  of  conveyance  will  not  admit  of  my  sending 
you  a larger  quantity— however  perhaps  it  will  be  in  my  power  to  send 
by  M^  Eppes,  when  he  returns  from  Congress  about  half  bushd.  if 
you  think  he  can  convey  them  to  you,  please  to  write  to  me.  I have  not 
the  pleasure  of  a personal  acquaintance  with  M^  Eppes,  ^erefore  should 
thimk  you  for  a letter  of  introduction  to  him.  my  late  ill  health  and  my 
retirement  from  the  world,  prevented  my  regular  inquiry  at  the  post 
office,  consequently  your  letter  remained  several  days  before  I rec*.  it. 
It  would  give  me  singular  pleasure  to  see  you  at  my  House  once  more — 
if  not  pray  let  me  hear  from  you  whenever  it  may  be  convenient  for  you 
to  write.  , . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


1813] 


511 


(James  Powell  Cocke  to  Jefferson.) 

May  i8‘'*  1813 

Untill  within  a few  days  past  we  have  not  been  able  to  procure  the 
Chub  hsh.  If  you  will  send  on  Thursday  next  a careful  hand  prepaired 
for  there  conveyance,  I have  little  doubt  but  the  necessary  supply  for 
your  pond  can  be  made  which  will  give  pleasure  to  your  friend.  . . . 
P.  S.  Growth  of  the  Chub  at  i year  old  8 to  9 in.  long,  at  2-1 1 to 
la — 3-13  to  16 — the  weight  not  asertained  but  suppose  the  latter  as  3 
to  3^  lbs.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  May  21,  1813. 

. . . We  have  never  seen  so  unpromising  a c^op  of  wheat  as  that  now 
growing.  The  winter  killed  an  unusual  proportion  of  it,  and  the  fly  is 
destroying  the  remainder.  We  may  estimate  the  latter  loss  at  one- 
third  at  present,  and  fast  increasing  from  the  effect  of  the  extraordinary 
drought  With  such  a prospect  before  us,  the  blockade  is  acting  se- 
verely on  our  past  labors.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13: 
232.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mr.  Barnes.) 

Monticello  May  21.  13. 

Jefferson  requests  Mr.  Barnes  to  get  Mr.  Milligan  to  buy  for  him 
Gardiner  and  Hepburn’s  book  on  gardening.]  (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  F.  Cocke.) 

Monticello  May  22.  13. 

Your  favor  of  Tuesday  came  to  hand  yesterday  (Friday)  afternoon, 
and  expressing  the  expectation  that  you  could  furnish  me  with  a supply 
of  Chub  fish  for  my  pond  if  I should  send  on  Thursday  next,  now  past, 
I sent  off  a careful  man  with  a cart  and  a cask  this  morning.  I am 
very  thankful  for  this  kindness  having  been  very  unsuccessful  in  my 
endeavors  to  get  a stock  for  my  pond.  I sent  a boat  & a couple  of  hands 
about  three  weeks  ago  to  Cartersville,  where  mf  Harrison  was  so  kind 
as  to  exert  himself  to  get  some,  he  procured  9.  but  they  were  taken  with 
a hook  & line,  and  7.  of  them  died  soon.  2 only  got  here  alive,  one  of 
them  much  wounded,  & both  having  the  appearance  of  being  the  same 
sex;  so  that  I had  little  expectation  of  a stock  from  them.  . . . (Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Randolph  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  May  25.  13. 

Dear  Brother, 

Supposing  the  shad  season  not  to  be  quite  over,  and  that  in  hauling 
for  them  they  catch  some  carp,  1 send  the  bearer  with  a cart  and  cask  to 


512 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


Cj8i3 


procure  for  me  as  many  living  carp  as  he  can  to  stock  my  fishpond.  I 
should  not  regard  his  staying  a day  or  two  extra,  if  it  would  give  a rea- 
sonable hope  of  furnishing  a supply,  he  is  furnished  with  money  to  pay 
for  the  carp,  for  which  I have  always  given  the  same  price  as  for  shad, 
should  he  not  be  able  to  lay  out  the  whole  in  carp  he  may  bring  us  3,  or 
4.  shad  if  he  can  get  them.  . . . 

Reflecting  on  the  manner  of  managing  your  very  valuable  farm,  I 
thought  I would  suggest  the  following  which  appears  to  me  the  best,  & 
of  which  you  will  consider,  to  form  your  lowgrounds  into  two  di- 
visions, one  of  them  to  be  in  wheat,  and  the  other  to  be  half  corn  & half 
red  clover,  shifting  them  every  year,  then  to  form  your  highlands  into 
three  divisions,  one  to  be  in  wheat  & the  other  two  in  red  clover,  shift- 
ing them  from  year  to  year,  in  this  way  your  low  ground  fields  would 
be  in  corn  but  once  in  4 years,  in  wheat  every  other  year,  and  in  clover 
every  fourth  year ; and  your  highland  in  wheat  once  in  every  three  years, 
and  in  clover  two  years  in  every  three,  they  would  improve  wonder- 
fully fast  in  this  way,  and  increase  your  produce  of  wheat  & corn  every 
year,  if  it  should  be  found  that  the  low  grounds  should  in  this  way  be- 
come too  rich  for  wheat,  instead  of  putting  them  every  fourth  year  into 
clover,  you  might  put  them  that  year  into  oats,  your  annual  crop  would 
then  be  half  your  low  grounds  in  wheat,  a fourth  in  corn,  and  a fourth 
in  oats  or  clover;  and  one  third  of  your  highland  in  wheat,  and  two 
thirds  in  clover  j and  so  on  for  ever,  and  for  ever  improving.  I sug- 
gest this  for  your  consideration.  . . . {Carr-Cary  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Samuel  Brown  to  Jefferson.) 

Natchez  May  25***  1813. 

Your  letters  of  the  I7‘’‘  & 214*''  ult.  arrived  by  the  last  mail  & having 
just  obtained  a large  supply  of  the  Capsicum,  it  gives  me  great  pleasure 
to  transmit  some  of  it,  to  you,  in  time  for  planting.  That  whidh  I 
planted  this  spring  is  just  coming  up — the  plants  of  last  season  are 
loaded  with  pods  & will  continue  to  bear  both  blossoms  & fruit  until 
December  or  January  if  protected  from  the  severe  frosts  by  a slight 
covering  of  straw.  By  the  next  mail  I shall  do  myself  the  favor  of 
sending  you  as  much  of  the  Capsicum  as  you  can  use  tmtil  your  own  be- 
comes productive.  A tablespoonful  of  the  pods  will  communicate  to 
vinegar  a fine  aromatic  flavor  & that  quantity  is  as  much  as  wmUd  serve 
a northern  family  many  months.  In  this  warm  climate  our  relish  for 
Capsicum  is  greatly  increased  & I am  much  inclined  to  subscribe  to  the 
opinion  of  Mr  Bruce  that  “nothing  is  so  great  a preservation  of  health 
in  hot  climates."  I have  even  had  thoughts  of  hinting  to  the  Secretary 
of  War  the  propriety  of  substituting  Capsicum  for  a part  of  the  Ration 
of  Spirits  which  are  allowed  our  troops  & I am  very  confident  that  the 
effect  of  this  change  would  soon  be  perceptible.  I am  informed  by  those 
who  have  lately  returned  from  S‘.  Antonio  that  the  Inhabitants  of  that 
part  of  the  Continent  use  this  small  indigenous  Capsicum  in  almost  every 
thing  th^  eat  & that  they  attribute  to  it  medicind  qualities  to  which 
th«gr  acknowledge  fhemselves  indebted  for  the  singular  portion  of  health 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


513 


1813] 

which  they  are  said  to  enjoy.  In  a few  cases  here,  of  disorders  of  the 
alimentary  canal,  I have  had  reason  to  think  very  highly  of  it  but  my 
experience  has  been  too  limited  to  permit  me  to  say  much  of  it  at  pres- 
ent. The  results  of  future  observations  I shall  do  myself  the  favor  to 
com'municate  to  you  at  another  time.  ...  I am  more  than  ever  pleased 
with  the  Guinea  grass.  We  have  here  a grass  that  will  defy  the  heat  of 
your  "brown  autumn."  I shall  send  it  to  you  when  the  seed  is  ripe. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Randolph  Jefferson  to  Jefferson.) 

May  the  a6:  1813 

Dear  Brother, 

I received  your  friendly  letter  by  the  boy  they  catch  no  shad  at  all  at 
this  time  so  that  I have  sent  James  up  to  Warren  to  try  and  procure 
some  carp  for  you  and  have  wrote  to  Mr  Brown  about  them  if  it  is  in 
his  power  to  git  any  to  fernish  your  boy  With  What  you  directed  him  to 
bring  in  the  barril  a live  I have  understood  they  catch  a Number  there 
every  Night  in  the  Mill  race.  ...  I am  extreemly  oblige  to  you  for 
your  advice  as  to  Managing  My  farm  but  am  a fraid  it  will  be  two 
great  an  undertakeng  for  Me  your  Method  I highly  approve  of  I hope 
Mr  Brown  Will  fernish  you  with  the  carp  if  they  cetch  any.  . . . 
{Carr-Car]/  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  Richard  Fitzhugh.) 

Monticello  May  27.  13. 

Your  favor  of  the  has  been  safely  received,  together  with  the 
packet  of  Ravensworth  peas,  these  are  now  in  the  ground  & will  abun- 
dantly supply  me  with  seed  for  the  next  year.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  May  30.  13. 

I just  now  receive  information  from  my  old  friend  Thouin  of  the 
national  garden  of  Paris  that  he  has  sent  me  a box  of  seeds  of  270.  kinds 
of  trees  of  every  sort  for  either  use  or  ornament,  this  box,  mf  Warden 
informs  me,  he  sends  by  mf  Breuil  of  the  schooner  Bellona,  bound  to 
Philadelphia,  if  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  watch  the  arrival  of  this  ves- 
sel, perhaps  already  arrived,  this  letter  may  suffice  to  authorize  the  de- 
livery of  it  by  M'.  Breuil  to  you,  to  whom  I should  send  it  were  it  to 
come  here,  as  being  the  best  mode  of  fulfilling  the  intentions  of  the 
benevolent  giver,  if  you  could  make  up  a collection  of  the  seeds  of  the 
plants  brought  to  us  by  Governor  Lewis  from  beyond  the  Missisipi,  it 
would  be  a just  and  grateful  return  which  M.  Thouin  merits  at  our 
hands,  he  expresses  to  me  a great  desire  for  the  plants  of  the  region  be- 
yond the  Missisipi.  if  within  the  reasonable  compass  of  the  mail,  it  will 
come  safest  to  me  thro’  that,  if  larger,  the  stage  is  a good  conveyance  if 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


SH 


[1813 


a passenger  can  be  found  who  will  take  charge  of  it.  such  opportunities 
to  Richmond  must  be  almost  daily  with  you,  and  if  addressed  to  Mess'. 
Gibson  & Jefferson  there  it  will  come  safely  to  me.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Samuel  Brown  to  Jefferson.) 

Natchez  June  13®.  1813 

I hope  that  the  small  package  of  Capsicum,  which  I sent  you,  a few 
weeks  ago,  has  arrived  in  safety.  You  may  even  a month  hence  be  very 
certain  of  obtaining  Plants  which,  with  a little  care,  can  be  preserved 
through  the  Winter  & which  will  yeild  fruit  before  the  last  of  May.  I 
now  send  you  as  much  as  you  will  be  able  to  use  until  that  time.  The 
Spaniards  generally  use  it  in  fine  Powder  ic  seldom  eat  anything  with- 
out it.  The  Americans  who  have  learned  to  use  it  make  a Pickle  of 
the  green  Pods  with  Salt  & Vinegar  which  they  use  with  Lettuce,  Rice, 
Fish,  Beefstake  and  almost  every  other  dish.  A single  Tablespoonful 
will  communicate  to  as  much  Vinegar  as  I can  use  in  six  months,  as 
strong  a taste  of  Capsicum  as  I ffnd  agreeable  & I find  this  taste  grow- 
ing so  fast  that  it  will  soon  become  as  essential  to  my  health  as  salt 
itself.  Many  of  my  friends  to  whom  I have  recommended  it,  here 
ascribe  to  it  Medicinal  qualities  for  which  I am  not  prepared  to  vouch. 
I do  believe  however  that  in  cases  of  debility  of  the  stomach  & alimentary 
canal  it  may  be  employed  with  great  advantage.  A Spanish  officer  with 
whom  I conversed  yesterday  on  the  subject  says  that  in  Cuba  it  is  called 
Achi  & that  the  wealthy  Inhabitants  not  only  season  almost  every  dish 
with  it  but  place  a cup  of  it  beside  every  plate  that  each  guest  may  use 
it  ad  libitum.  I have  not  yet  been  able  to  learn  with  certainty  its 
“habitat".  It  is  abundant  at  S*  Antonio  & some  distance  North  of  that 
Post.  I shall  continue  my  enquiries  & communicate  the  results. 

This  morning  I rec^  from  S*  Antonio  a small  package  of  seeds.  The 
gentleman  who  procured  them  for  me  has  given  me  but  a very  imperfect 
account  of  them. 

The  Red  Bean  called  Friholio  has  been  often  described  to  me  by  the 
Inhabitants  of  Taxas;  & the  Indians  who  inhabit  the  sources  of  the  Red 
River  seldom  travel  without  it  as  it  is  their  only  means  of  Intoxication. 
They  pulvarize  it  between  two  stones  mix  it  with  warm  water  & drink 
it  throu^  a cane  until  it  produces  violent  vomiting  & a most  frantic 
kind  of  intoxication  accompanied  with  an  unstable  disposition  to  violent 
bodily  exercise.  The  dose  is  often  renewed  & the  debauch  continued 
for  three  or  four  days.  Mr  Davenport  of  Nacagdoches  & a h^f  In- 
dian who  lived  severd  years  with  me  often  described  these  scenes.  But 
1 never  could  procure  the  Bean  before  this  day  & have  made  no  experi- 
ments of  my  own.  They  ate  an  article  of  commerce  (as  opium  is  in  the 
east)  among  all  the  tribes  west  of  Nacagdoches,  I suspect  the  plant 
which  produces  them  is  a species  of  the  Erythryna — The  Erythryna 
CoroUadendron  grows  abundantly  here  & is  a most  beautiful  Plant.  I 
send  you  some  of  the  seeds,  1 have  often  Planted  them  but  they  did  not 
vegetate;  1 have  somewhere  read  an  acc‘  of  a method  of  exposing  such 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1813] 


SIS 


seeds  to  the  action  of  the  gastric  juice  of  Turkeys  in  order  to  fit  them 
vegetation.  But  of  this  I have  only  an  indirect  recollection. 

The  round  Black  nut  is  said  to  be  used  at  Antonio  as  a Poison  for 
animals  & insects  & this  is  all  the  information  that  accompanies  them. 

The  Gallavance  Peas  are  the  growth  of  S‘  Antonio  & much  esteemed. 
They  are  sometimes  cultivated  in  Louisiana. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  no  man  of  much  knowledge  of  Botany 
or  Natural  History  has  been  permitted  to  visit  the  Country  surrounding 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  I do  not  look  for  much  from  such  men  as  com- 
pose the  army  of  Patriots  who  are  now  marching  towards  Santa  Fe. 
Their  object  must  be  rapine  & Plunder.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  June  IS.  13. 

I have  just  received  some  Capsicum  of  the  province  of  Techas,  where 
it  is  indigenous  as  far  Eastwardly  as  the  Sabine  river,  it’s  roots  are 
perennial  there,  and  it  is  believed  it  will  stand  our  frosts  with  a little 
covering,  it  grows  in  great  abundance  there  and  the  inhabitants  are 
in  the  habit  of  using  it  as  a seasoning  for  everything  as  freely  as  salt, 
and  ascribe  much  of  their  health  to  it.  the  other  kinds  cultivated  with 
us,  coming  from  still  warmer  climates  are  difficult  of  cultivation,  my 
expectation  is  that  this  being  indigenous  so  much  nearer  our  latitudes, 
may  be  easier  raised,  of  what  I received  I send  you  a part,  altho’ 
probably  too  late  for  the  season,  I have  sowed  a few  seeds  in  a pot,  and 
reserve  others  for  the  spring,  they  will  be  more  likely  however  to  be 
preserved  in  your  hands.  . . . P.  S.  I hope  you  have  received  the  box 
of  seed.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  June  18,  1813. 

. . . We  are  here  laboring  under  the  most  extreme  drought  ever  re- 
membered at  this  season.  We  have  had  but  one  rain  to  lay  the  dust  in 
two  months.  That  was  a good  one,  but  was  three  weeks  ago.  Corn  is 
but  a few  inches  high  and  dying.  Oats  will  not  yield  their  seed.  Of 
wheat,  the  hard  winter  and  fly  leave  us  about  two-thirds  of  an  ordi- 
nary crop.  So  that  in  the  lotteries  of  human  life  you  see  that  even 
farming  is  but  gambling.  We  have  had  three  days  of  excessive  heat. 
The  thermometer  on  the  i6th  was  at  92°,  on  the  17th  92^“,  and  yester- 
day at  93°.  It  had  never  before  »cceeded  92^°  at  this  place;  at  least 
within  the  periods  of  my  observations.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson 13:  260-261.) 

(Jefferson  to  Randolph  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  June  20.  13. 

Dear  Brother, 

. . . My  sister  desired  that  when  I should  send  her  seeds  of  any  kind 
1 would  give  her  directions  how  to  plant  & cultivate  them,  knowing 
that  there  was  an  excellent  gardening  book  published  at  Washington 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


516 


[1813 


[see  letter,  Jefferson  to  Barnes,  May  21,  1813],  I wrote  for  one  for  her, 
which  I now  inclose,  she  will  there  see  what  is  to  be  done  with  every 
kind  of  plant  every  month  in  the  year.  I have  written  an  index  at  the 
end  that  she  may  find  any  particular  article  more  readily:  and  not  to 
embarras  her  with  such  an  immense  number  of  articles  which  are  not 
wanting  in  common  gardens,  I have  added  a paper  with  a list  of  those  I 
tend  in  my  garden,  & the  times  when  I plant  them,  the  season  being 
over  for  planting  everything  but  the  Gerkin,  I send  her  a few  seeds  of 
them,  she  will  not  find  the  term  Gerkin  in  the  book,  it  is  that  by 
which  we  distinguish  the  very  small  pickling  cucumber.  . . . (Carr- 
Cary  PaperSj  U.  Va.) 

(Randolph  Jefferson  to  Jefferson.) 

Snowden  June  21:  1813. 

Dear  Brother, 

I Received  your  letter  by  James  and  also  the  book  Which  you  sent: 
...  I wrote  very  pressingly  to  capt  Brown  by  your  boy  in  respect  to 
the  carp  for  you  but  found  it  was  all  in  Vane  from  What  James  tell  Me 
he  got  none.  . . . {Garr-Cary  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  N.  G.  Dufief.) 

Monticello  June  24.  13. 

[He  asked  Mr.  Dufief  to  purchase  the  following  books  for  him:] 

Tull’s  horseshoeing  husbandry,  an  old  book  in  800. 

Young’s  Experiments  In  Agriculture  (I  think  in  3 vols.).  {Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  L.  E.  W.  Shecut.) 

Monticello,  June  29.  1813. 

[Jefferson  thanks  Mr.  Shecut  for  being  elected  to  the  Antiquarian 
Society  of  Charleston  and  comments  on  his  botany  for  its  alphabetical 
form  and  popular  style  &c.]  ...  I avail  myself  of  this  occasion  of  en- 
closing you  a little  of  the  fruit  of  a Capsicum  I have  just  received  from 
the  province  of  Texas,  where  it  is  indigenous  and  perennial,  and  is  used 
as  freely  as  salt  by  the  inhabitants.  It  is  new  to  me.  It  differs  from 
your  Capsicum  Minimum,  in  being  perennial  and  probably  hardier; 
perhaps,  too,  in  it’s  size,  which  would  claim  the  term  of  Minutissimum, 
This  stimulant  being  found  salutary  in  a visceral  complaint  known  on 
the  seacoast,  the  introduction  of  a hardier  variety  may  be  of  value.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  295-296.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  Samuel  Brown.) 

Monticello,  July  14,  1813. 

Your  favors  of  May  23th  and  June  13th  have  been  duly  received,  as 
also  the  first  supply  of  Capsicum,  and  the  second  of  the  same  article  with 


1813]  Jefferson's  Garden  Book  517 

other  seeds.  I shall  set  great  store  by  the  Capsicum,  if  it  is  hardy 
enough  for  our  climate,  the  species  we  have  heretofore  tried  being  too 
tender.  The  Galvance  too,  will  be  particularly  attended  to,  as  it  ap- 
pears very  different  from  what  we  cultivate  by  that  name.  I have  so 
many  grandchildren  and  others  who  might  be  endangered  by  the  poison 
plant,  that  I think  the  risk  overbalances  the  curiosity  of  trying  it.  The 
most  elegant  thing  of  that  kind  known  is  a preparation  of  the  James- 
town weed,  Datura-Stramonium,  invented  by  the  French  in  the  time  of 
Robespierre.  Every  man  of  firmness  carried  it  constantly  in  his  pocket 
to  anticipate  the  guillotine.  It  brings  on  the  sleep  of  death  as  quietly 
as  fatigue  does  the  ordinary  sleep,  without  the  least  struggle  or  motion. 
. . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  310—311.) 

(Jefferson  to  Samuel  Harrison  Smith.) 

Monticello  Aug.  15.  13. 

. . . mrs.  Smith  would  find  I have  made  no  progress  in  the  improve- 
ment of  my  grounds,  all  my  spare  labor  having  been  in  constant  de- 
mand for  the  improvements  of  my  farms,  mills,  canals,  roads  &c.  having 
given  me  constant  occupation,  to  these  are  added  our  establishment  for 
spinning  & weaving,  which  occupy  time,  labor  & persons.  (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  A.  Goodman.) 

[Memorandum  Poplar  Forest]  Sep.  8.  1813. 
M"".  Goodman’s  crop  for  the  next  year  1814.  will  be  as  follows. 

Corn  in  M®Daniel’s  field;  but  as  this  turns  out  to  be  but  50.  acres, 
we  must  add  other  grounds  to  it ; and  there  are  none  but  what  be- 
long to  some  other  field,  except  those  over  the  S.  Tomahawk,  & 
above  the  lower  corn  field,  we  must  of  necessity  then  give  the 
tobacco  ground  & the  stubble  ground  there  to  corn,  and  put  the 
upper  corn  grounds  into  oats  to  help  out.  some  of  the  strongest 
spots  in  the  Forkfield  may  be  in  corn. 

Peas  in  the  Forkfield. 

Wheat  in  the  Tomahawk  Cornfield  and  in  the  Ridgefield. 

tobacco,  in  such  meadow  grounds  on  S.  Tomahawk  as  can  be  cleaned 
up,  and  in  a new  clearing  to  be  made  on  the  S.  side  of  the  S.  Toma- 
hawk. I should  be  glad  to  have  80.  thousand  tob®.  hills  tended, 
the  clearing  to  extend  ^ mile  from  the  branch. 

sow  from  half  an  acre  to  an  acre  in  hemp. 

sow  timothy  in  the  meadow  ground  ready  for  it,  this  month. 

in  all  your  fields  of  corn  or  small  grain,  reserve  the  galled  & poor 
spots  and  put  peas  into  them. 

let  the  ox-cart  be  employed  in  winter  in  carting  out  any  manure  you 
may  have,  and  straw,  generally  speaking  this  ought  to  be  put  on 


5i8 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1813 

the  galled  & poor  places  of  the  field  turned  out  to  rest  for  2,  years, 
because  that  would  give  time  for  the  straw  to  rot.  but  as  that 
would  be  for  the  present  year,  the  Beltedfield  which  needs  it  least, 

I would  give  it  to  the  galled  & poor  spots  of  the  Ridgefield,  which 
needs  it  most,  and  I would  leave  them  without  putting  any  thing 
into  them. 

take  for  your  own  use  one  eigth  of  the  peach  or  apple  brandy  which 
will  be  made,  & put  the  rest  into  the  cellar  of  the  house, 
let  the  people  have  hereafter  a fixed  allowance  of  salt ; to  wit,  give  to 
their  breadmaker  a pint  a month  for  each  grown  negro  to  put  into 
their  bread;  and  give  besides  to  each  grown  negro  a pint  a month 
for  their  snaps,  cymlins  & other  uses,  this  will  be  a quart  a month 
for  every  grown  negro. 

the  people  have  asked  for  a little  flour  for  their  labors  in  harvest. 

give  half  a peck  to  each  grown  person. 

I accept  mf  Mitchell’s  terms  for  grinding  my  flour  this  year.  let  all 
the  wheat  be  delivered  to  him  in  the  course  of  this  & the  next 
month,  and  sent  down  in  all  October  & November  to  Richmond. 
(Courtesy  of  Dr.  A.  S.  W.  Rosenbach.) 

(Jefferson  to  Isaac  McPherson.) 

Monticello,  September  18,  1813. 

. . . Your  inquiry  as  to  the  date  of  Martin’s  invention  of  the  drill- 
plough,  with  a leathern  band  and  metal  buckets,  I cannot  precisely  an- 
swer; but  I received  one  from  him  in  1794,  and  have  used  it  ever  since 
for  sowing  various  seeds,  chiefly  peas,  turnips,  and  benni.  I have  al- 
ways had  in  mind  to  use  it  for  wheat;  but  sowing  only  a row  at  a time, 
I had  proposed  to  him  some  years  ago  to  change  the  construction  so  that 
it  should  sow  four  rows  at  a time,  twelve  inches  apart,  and  I have  been 
waiting  for  this  to  be  done  either  by  him  or  myself ; and  have  not,  there- 
fore, commenced  that  use  of  it.  I procured  mine  at  first  through  Colonel 
■John  Taylor  of  Caroline,  who  had  been  long  in  the  use  of  it,  and  my 
impression  was  that  it  was  not  then  a novel  ding.  Mr.  Martin  is  still 
living,  I believe.  If  not.  Colonel  Taylor,  his  neighbor,  probably  knows 
its  date.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  13:  380.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  Samuel  Brown.) 

Monticello  Nov.  13.  13. 

. , . The  Capsicum  which  accompanied  your  letters  received  in  June, 
was  of  course  too  late  for  that  season,  hut  I shall  give  it  a fair  trial  in 
the  spring,  if  it  proves  more  equal  to  our  climate  than  our  former  kinds 
it  will  be  a valuable  addition  to  our  gardens.  I sent  some  to  Dr.  Shecut 
of  S.  C.  author  of  Flora  caroliniensis,  and  some  to  mf  McMahon  of 
Philadelphia  that  it  might  be  tried  in  those  places  also.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  h.  C,}  v « - 


i8i3]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  ^19 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Mann  Randolph.) 

Monlicello  Nov.  14.  13. 

...  we  are  just  finishing  our  wheat  sowing,  as  your  people  are  also, 
and  we  are  about  to  begin  that  of  rye  to  feed  us  from  harvest  till  the 
next  corn  season;  for  of  corn  I do  not  make  a barrel  to  the  acre.  I 
believe  it  is  expected  you  will  make  enough  to  serve  till  harvest  at  least. 
I buy  largely  at  20/  the  price  at  which  it  starts,  the  manufacturing 
mill  is  just  beginning  to  receive  wheat  and  to  do  something,  there  have 
been  some  discouragements  to  the  bringing  it  in.  the  want  of  a visible 
and  responsible  head  is  supplied  to  a certain  degree  of  Jefferson’s  taking 
that  post,  which  I dare  say  he  will  discharge  satisfactorily,  some  flour 
for  neighborhood  use,  perhaps  too  closely  ground  (to  wit  the  barrel 
from  4 bush. — 7 lb ) has  discredited  the  mill  for  a while,  an  assistant 
miller  has  been  engaged  by  Jefferson  on  trial,  and  after  a month’s  trial, 
the  opinion  of  his  skill  & good  conduct  is  favorable,  and  perhaps  that  he 
may  understand  grinding  better  than  Gilmer,  but  he  could  not  supply 
Gilmer’s  place  as  principal.  I am  still  afraid  it  will  be  a losing  concern 
to  you  as  long  as  you  are  absent,  unless  you  had  a skilful  and  honest 
partner,  not  easy  to  be  found,  since  our  last  operations  on  the  dam, 
altho’  the  river  is  now  very  low  indeed  so  that  no  boat  can  go  down,  we 
have  the  greatest  abundance  of  water.  I was  at  the  mills  yesterday, 
all  were  going  with  full  heads,  the  locks  leaking  as  usual,  and  a great 
deal  of  water  running  over  the  waste.  I was  disappointed  in  raising 
the  breast  of  the  dam  a foot  higher  by  the  water  becoming  extremely 
cold  just  as  we  had  got  all  our  logs  & stone  in  place  ready  to  be  laid 
down,  this  is  therefore  deferred  to  the  spring,  and  will  remove  our  difE- 
culties  from  the  dam  to  the  Canal  bank  which  will  be  in  danger  of 
overflowing.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Judith  Lomax  to  Jefferson.) 

Port-Tobago  November  30,  1813. 

I send  you  my  dear  Sir,  the  promised  Acacia  seed,  together  with  a few 
of  the  Flowers,  knowing  you  to  be  an  admirer  of  the  perfume.  The 
Filbert  scions  you  will  get,  whenever  an  opportunity  shdl  occur  at  the 
proper  season  for  removing  them.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Madame  de  Tesse.) 

Monticello,  December  8,  1813. 

. . . But  let  us  drop  these  odious  beinp  and  pass  to  those  of  an 
higher  order,  the  plants  of  the  field.  I am  afraid  1 have  given  you  a 
great  deal  more  trouble  than  I intended  by  my  inquiries  for  the  Maron> 
nier  or  Castanea  Sativa,  of  which  I wished  to  possess  my  own  country, 
without  knowing  how  rare  its  culture  was  even  in  yours.  The  two 
plants  which  your  researches  have  placed  in  your  own  garden,  it  will  be 


520 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[t8i3 


all  but  impossible  to  remove  hither.  The  war  renders  their  safe  pas- 
sage across  the  Atlantic  extremely  precarious,  and,  if  landed  anywhere 
but  in  the  Chesapeake,  the  risk  of  the  additional  voyage  along  the  coast 
to  Virginia,  is  still  greater.  Under  these  circumstances  it  is  better  they 
should  retain  their  present  station,  and  compensate  to  you  the  trouble 
they  have  cost  you. 

I learn  with  great  pleasure  the  success  of  your  new  gardens  at  Auenay. 
No  occupation  can  be  more  delightful  or  useful.  They  will  have  the 
merit  of  inducing  you  to  forget  those  of  Chaville.  With  the  botanical 
riches  which  you  mention  to  have  been  derived  to  England  from  New 
Holland,  we  are  as  yet  unacquainted.  Lewis’s  journey  across  our  conti- 
nent to  the  Pacific  has  added  a number  of  new  plants  to  our  former 
stock.  Some  of  them  are  curious,  some  ornamental,  some  useful,  and 
some  may  by  culture  be  made  acceptable  on  our  tables.  I have  grow- 
ing, which  I destine  for  you,  a very  handsome  little  shrub  of  the  size  of 
a currant  bush.  Its  beauty  consists  in  a great  produce  of  berries  of  the 
size  of  currants,  and  literally  as  white  as  snow,  which  remain  on  the 
bush  through  the  winter,  after  its  leaves  have  fallen,  and  make  it  an 
object  as  singular  as  it  is  beautiful.  We  call  it  the  snow-berry  bush, 
no  botanical  name  being  yet  given  to  it,  but  I do  not  know  why  we 
might  not  call  it  Chionicoccos,  or  Kallicoccos.  All  Lewis’s  plants  are 
growing  in  the  garden  of  Mr,  McMahon,  a gardener  of  Philadelphia, 
to  whom  I consigned  them,  and  from  whom  I shall  have  great  pleasure, 
when  peace  is  restored,  in  ordering  for  you  any  of  these  or  of  our  other 
indigenous  plants.  The  port  of  Philadelphia  has  great  intercourse  with 
Bordeaux  and  Nantes,  and  some  little  perhaps  with  Havre.  I was 
mortified  not  long  since  by  receiving  a letter  from  a merchant  in  Bor- 
deaux, apologizing  for  having  suffered  a box  of  plants  addressed  by  me 
to  you,  to  get  accidentally  covered  in  his  warehouse  by  other  objects, 
and  to  remain  three  years  undiscovered,  when  everything  in  it  was  found 
to  be  rotten.  1 have  learned  occasionally  that  others  rotted  in  the  ware- 
houses of  the  English  pirates.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  14; 
27-29.) 

(Jefferson  to  Andre  Thouin.) 

Monticello  Dec.  14.  1813. 

The  perils  of  the  ocean,  my  good  and  antient  friend,  are  such  that  I 
almost  despair  of  getting  a letter  to  you.  yet  I cannot  permit  myself 
longer  to  withold  the  acknolegement  of  the  reciept  of  your  letters  of 
Mar.  2,  and  Dec,  7. 1 1.  and  Mar.  11,  13.  the  boxes  of  seeds  which  you 
were  so  kind  as  to  forward  me  in  1810.  1811.  came  safely  to  hand 
and  were  committed  to  our  best  seedsmen,  in  order  that  they  might  be 
preserved  and  distributed  so  as  to  become  general,  the  box  announced 
in  yours  of  March  15.  13.  has,  I presume,  been  captured  on  the  Ugh 
seas:  as  I have  never  heard  of  it’s  arrival  in  any  port.  I thank  you  for 
the  pamphlet  sent  me  with  the  letter  by  M.  Correa,  as  wdl  as  for  having 
made  me  acquainted  with  that  most  excellent  character,  he  favored  me 
with  a visit  at  Monticello,  which  gave  me  opportunities  of  judging  of 


1813] 


Jeffbrson’s  Garden  Book 


pi 

his  great  science,  worth  and  amability.  when  he  left  me  he  meant  to 
leave  our  continent  immediately  for  Portugal,  but  I learn  that  he 
changed  his  mind  afterwards  and  winters  in  Philadelphia.  I learn  with 
pleasure  the  success  of  several  new  cultures  with  you,  and  that  you  will 
by  example  teach  us  how  to  do  without  some  of  the  tropical  productions, 
the  bette-rave,  I am  told,  is  likely  really  to  furnish  sugar  at  such  a price 
as  to  rivalize  that  of  the  Cane,  if  you  have  any  printed  recipes  of  the 
process  of  manipulation,  and  could  send  me  one,  naming  also  the  best 
species  of  beet,  you  would  add  a valuable  item  to  the  repeated  services 
you  have  rendered  us  by  a communication  of  the  useful  plants,  if  ever 
we  should  get  the  sea  open  again,  I shall  take  great  pleasure  in  repaying 
some  of  your  kindnesses  by  sending  you  a collection  of  the  seeds  & new 
plants  which  were  brought  to  us  by  Lewis  & Clark  from  the  other  side 
of  our  Continent,  they  have  been  well  taken  care  of  by  M'.  Mc- 
Mahon, seedsman  and  botanist  at  Philadelphia  from  which  port  they 
can  be  readily  shipped,  at  present  we  are  blockaded  by  our  enemies; 
as  we  were  indeed  for  many  years  while  they  called  themselves  our 
friends.  I know  not  therefore  how  the  present  letter  is  to  get  to  you: 
but  should  it  be  so  fortunate,  let  it  be  the  bearer  to  you  of  sincere  assur- 
ances of  my  great  friendship  and  respect.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  David  B.  Warden.) 

Monticcllo  Dec.  29.  1813. 

. . . and  the  box  of  seeds  from  M.  Thouin  came  safely,  the  seeds 
were  delivered  to  mf  McMahon  of  Philadelphia,  as  the  most  likely  per- 
son to  preserve  and  distribute  them.  ...  the  box  of  seeds  therein  men- 
tioned from  M.  Thouin  committed  to  the  Bellona,  I presume  to  have 
been  captured,  as  I have  never  heard  of  it.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
Maryland  Historical  Society.) 

From  the  Account  Book  i8og-i82o: 

May  25.  gave  Ned’s  James  to  buy  fish  2.  D. 

Jan.  16.  gave  James  for  expenses  to  W.  Champe  Carter’s  2.  D.  [for 
fish.] 

From  the  Weather  Memorandum  Book  1776-1820: 

1813.  Sep.  18.  19.  20.  there  fell  9.  I.  of  rain,  it  did  not  rabe  the 
river  out  of  it’s  banks  at  the  low  grounds  adjacent  to  the  saw 
mill,  it  fell  very  moderately,  & the  extraordinary  drought  of 
5.  months  proceeding  occasioned  the  earth  to  absorb  a great  deal 
of  it 


where 


i8i4*  (condnaed) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


SH 


[1814 


1814. 

Feb.  16.  planted  56  seeds  of  the  Acacia  Nilotica  in  the 
earthen  trough,  & the  box  N°.  VI.  they  were 
from  mfs  Lomax’s*  which  was  from  the  plant 
at  Greenspring.® 

Mar.  19.  planted  in  vacant  places  in  the  Fruitery*  as 
follows. 

10.  pipins  from  terras  2.  of  1810. 

14.  Spitzenbergs.  from  d“. 

20.  Taliaferro  apples  from  terras  3.  of  1810. 

14.  soft  peaches,  to  wit  3.  terras  6“.  suppos® 
Nov.  from  P.F.  & ii.  soft  d®.  from  terras 
7.  from  P.F. 

8.  black  Georgia  plumb  peaches  from  terras 
6.  of  1810. 

66 

3.  filberts  from  terras  5.  of  1810. 

26.  Almond  in  blossom. 


28.  peaches  d". 

Apr.  10.  planted  inbox  N".  I.  Liburnum^  seeds  in  16. 
holes,  2.  in  a hole. 

16.  Nursery.  9"*.  terras,  planted  stones  of  the 
' native  Florida  plumb,®  said  to  yield  fruit  in  2. 

years  from  the  stone. 

box  N®.  IV,  planted  Liburnum  seeds  in  other 
16.  holes,  2.  or  3,  in  a hole. 

May  3.  put  6 living  carp  into  the  2*.  fishpond.® 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1814] 


S^S 


June  I.  a buck  and  a doe f rom  Enniscorthy  were  put 
into  the  Paddock  inclosing  the  brick  yard. 


July  29.  in  the  course  of  20.  hours  there  fell  i2|  I.  of 
rain,  the  earth  being  at  the  time  extremely  dry, 
it  raised  the  river  to  tlie  eves  or  upper  floor  of 
my  toll  mill,  or,  more  exactly  half  way  up 
the  joists. 


at  the  saw  mill"  it  was  lo.I.  deep  on  the  barn 
floor,  this  seems  to  have  been  a rise  of  about 
I5.f.  perpendicular  from  the  surface  of  the 
river  at  the  issue  of  the  tail-race,  or  entrance 
of  the  ford.  Hardware  ” is  said  to  have  risen 
30.f.  perpendicular,  see  page  31.  for  the 
freshes  of  1771.  1795.  1804. 

this  fresh  carried  away  the  dam  of  my  chub- 
pond.  see  ante  1813.  May  5.  & 23,  and  ran 
so  deep  over  the  dam  of  the  carp  pond  that 
those  ante  May  3.  probably  went  oflf. 

Nov.  25.  carrots  made  this  year  18.  bushels 
salsafia  — — — ii.  bushels. 


^ 1814.  The  year  1814  saw  the  burning  of  the  Capitol  at 
Washington  by  the  British,  and  the  termination  of  the  war. 
Jefferson  was  alert  to  all  the  events  taking  place  in  this  im- 
portant year,  and  he  discussed  them  in  a large  number  of 
letters. 

Life  at  Monticello  seems  to  have  run  the  usual  course. 
Jefferson  was  busy  with  his  garden,  farm,  family,  and  neigh- 
bors and  friends,  who  came  to  see  him.  But  the  crops  were 
not  good,  and  prices  paid  for  produce  were  low.  He  wrote 
to  Mr.  Madison  on  March  10 : 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


526 


[1814 


Our  agriculture  presents  little  interesting.  Wheat  looks  badly,  much 
having  been  killed  by  the  late  severe  weather.  Corn  is  scarce,  but  it’s 
price  kept  down  to  3.  D.  by  the  substitute  of  wheat  as  food  both  for 
laborers  and  horses,  costing  only  3/6  to  4/.  . • . Tobacco  is  high,  from 
it's  scarcity,  there  having  been-  not  more  than  ^ of  an  ordinary  crop 
planted  the  last  year.  TTiis  year  there  will  probably  be  . . . (Ford, 
Jefferson  11:  393.) 

But  by  December  26  he  was  able  to  write  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Trist,  from  Monticello,  in  more  cheerful  tones : 

We  are  all  well,  little  and  big,  young  and  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Divers 
enjoy  very  so-so  health,  but  keep  about.  Mr.  Randolph  had  the  com- 
mand of  a select  corps  during  the  summer;  but  that  has  been  discharged 
some  time.  We  are  feeding  our  horses  with  our  wheat,  and  looking  at 
the  taxes  coming  on  us  as  an  approaching  wave  in  a storm ; still  I think 
we  shall  live  as  long,  eat  as  much,  and  drink  as  much,  as  if  the  wave  had 
already  glided  under  our  ship.  Somehow  or  other  these  things  find 
their  way  out  as  they  come  in,  and  so  I suppose  they  will  now.  God 
bless  you,  and  give  you  health,  happiness,  and  hope,  the  real  comforters 
of  this  nether  world.  (Randolph,  Jefferson:  360.) 

When  the  Capitol  was  burned,  the  books  which  had  been 
collected  for  a library  were  destroyed.  On  September  21,  in 
a letter  to  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Smith,  Jefferson  offered  to  sell  his 
extensive  library  to  the  Government.  After  much  debate  the 
offer  was  accepted,  but  the  confirmation  of  it  was  not  made 
until  the  following  year.  (See  appendix  VII.) 

During  the  year  Jefferson  was  elected  to  several  American 
and  foreign  societies.  These  included  the  New  York  Histori- 
cal Society,  the  American  Antiquarian  Society,  and  the  Agro- 
nomic Society  of  Bavaria.  In  late  November  he  resigned 
from  the  presidency  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  an 
office  he  had  held  since  1797. 

He  made  only  two  visits  to  Poplar  Forest  during  the  year : 
one  in  May,  and  the  other  in  October.  Both  visits  lasted  sev- 
eral weeks.  During  the  summer  most  of  the  interior  of  the 
house  at  Poplar  Forest  was  completed  and  a wing  of  offices, 
1 10  feet  long,  in  the  manner  of  those  at  Monticello,  was  built. 
(See  letter,  Jefferson  to  John  W.  Eppes,  July  16,  1814.) 
On  his  return  from  Poplar  Forest  in  May,  he  spent  a day  at 
Enniscorthy. 

The  same  variety  of  plants  were  used  in  the  garden  this 
year  as  in  1813.  The  Garden  Book  recorded  the  plantings 
and  the  progress  in  the  garden.  New  fishponds  were  made, 


jBrpBRsoN’s  Gardbk  Book 


527 


1814] 

but  the  dam  of  the  chub  pond  was  carried  away,  and  most  of 
the  carp  were  lost  by  the  freshet  of  July  20  (see  Garden  Book, 
July  29).  However,  Jefferson  continued  to  buy  carp  and 
chub  to  stock  the  ponds. 

Of  the  unusually  large  number  of  letters  written  this  year, 
the  most  interesting  relevant  one  was  that  directed  on  Feb> 
ruary  22  to  Dr.  John  Manners,  giving  his  reasons  for  adher- 
ing to  the  Linnaean  classification  as  over  against  the  newer 
theories  (see  letter,  Jefferson  to  Dr.  John  Manners,  February 
22,  1814).  Letters  to  and  from  Jefferson  on  agriculture 
were  far  less  numerous  than  in  the  preceding  years.  Ex- 
change of  plants  also  slowed  down,  probably  owing  to  the  un- 
certainty of  the  war.  There  was  only  one  observation  made 
in  the  Farm  Book  for  the  year. 

® Capsicum  sp.  A pepper  from  Texas.  (See  letter,  Jeffer- 
son to  Dr,  Brown,  April  28,  1814.) 

“ Cicer  arietinum  L.  Garavance,  also  called  garbanzo  and 
chick-pea.  (Sec  letter,  Jefferson  to  Dr.  Brown,  April  28, 
1814.) 

* Mrs.  Lomax,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Lomax.  (See  letter, 
Judith  Lomax  to  Jefferson,  November  30,  1813.) 

• Greenspring.  See  entry  in  Garden  Book,  May,  1778. 

• The  Fruitery  was  located  below  and  at  both  ends  of  the 
vegetable  garden. 

’’  Liburnum,  probably  Laburnum  Griseb. 

* The  Florida  Plum  here  mentioned  may  be  Prunus  genicu- 
lata  Harper,  which  Small,  in  his  Southeastern  Flora  (1933), 
says  grows  in  the  sandy  pinelands  of  central  Florida. 

“ See  entry  in  Account  Book  1814.,  under  April  27. 

“ See  letter,  Isaac  Coles  to  Jefferson,  March  21,  1814. 

"Jefferson  had  only  recently  completed  his  sawmill.  At 
this  time  he  had  three  mills  on  the  Rivanna  River,  a manu- 
facturing mill,  a small  grist  mill,  and  a sawmill. 

“ Hardware  River,  a small  river  in  the  southern  part  of 
Albemarle  County, 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1814 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  A.  Goodman.) 

Monticello  Feb.  3.  14. 

...  let  the  clover  be  sown  about  the  i**  of  March,  and  if  the  earth 
has  no  crust  on  the  top,  the  first  rain  will  cover  it  sufBciently,  without 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


528 


[1814 


drawing  a bush  over  it.  clover  sown  at  that  time  is  pretty  much  out  of 
danger  of  being  injured  by  frost,  and  will  get  so  strong  before  the  heats 
set  in  as  not  to  be  hurt  by  them.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson Memorial  Foundation.) 


(JetEerson  to  Dr.  John  Manners.) 

Monticello,  February  22,  1814. 

The  opinion  which,  in  your  letter  of  January  24,  you  are  pleased  to 
ask  of  me,  on  the  comparative  merits  of  the  different  methods  of  classifi- 
cation adopted  by  different  writers  on  Natural  History,  is  one  which  I 
could  not  have  given  satisfactorily,  even  at  the  earlier  period  at  which 
the  subject  was  more  familiar ; still  less,  after  a life  of  continued  occupa- 
tion in  civil  concerns  has  so  much  withdrawn  me  from  studies  of  that 
kind.  I can,  therefore,  answer  but  in  a very  general  way.  And  the 
text  of  this  answer  will  be  found  in  an  observation  in  your  letter,  where, 
speaking  of  nosological  systems,  you  say  that  disease  has  been  found  to 
be  an  unit.  Nature  has,  in  truth,  produced  units  only  through  all  her 
works.  Classes,  orders,  genera,  species,  are  not  of  her  work.  Her 
creation  is  of  Individuals.  No  two  animals  are  exactly  alike;  no  two 
plants,  nor  even  two  leaves  or  blades  of  grass ; no  two  crystallizations. 
And  if  we  may  venture  from  what  is  within  the  cognizance  of  such  or- 
gans as  ours,  to  conclude  on  that  beyond  their  powers,  we  must  believe 
that  no  two  particles  of  matter  are  of  exact  resemblance.  This  infini- 
tude of  units  or  individuals  being  far  beyond  the  capacity  of  our  memory, 
we  are  obliged,  in  aid  of  that,  to  distribute  them  into  masses,  throwing 
into  each  of  these  all  the  individuals  which  have  a certain  degree  of  re- 
semblance; to  subdivide  these  again  into  smaller  groups,  according  to 
certain  points  of  dissimilitude  observable  in  them,  and  so  on  until  we 
have  formed  what  we  call  a system  of  classes,  orders,  genera  and  species. 
In  doing  this,  we  fix  arbitrarily  on  such  characteristic  resemblances  and 
differences  as  seem  to  us  most  prominent  and  invariable  in  the  several 
subjects,  and  most  likely  to  take  a strong  hold  in  our  memories.  Thus 
Ray  formed  one  classification  on  such  lines  of  division  as  struck  him  most 
favorably;  Klein  adopted  another;  Brisson  a third,  and  other  naturalists 
other  designations,  till  Linnaeus  appeared.  Fortunately  for  science,  he 
conceived  in  the  three  kingdoms  of  nature,  modes  of  classification  which 
obtained  the  approbation  of  the  learned  of  all  nations.  His  system  was 
accordingly  adopted  by  all,  and  united  all  in  a general  language.  It 
offered  die  three  great  desiderata:  First,  of  aiding  the  memory  to  retain 
a knowledge  of  the  productions  of  nature.  Secondly,  of  rallying  all  to 
the  same  names  for  the  same  objects,  so  that  they  could  communicate 
understandingly  on  them.  And  thirdly,  of  enabling  them,  when  a sub- 
ject was  first  presented,  to  trace  it  by  its  character  up  to  the  conven- 
tional name  by  which  it  was  agreed  to  be  called.  This  classification  was 
indeed  liable  to  the  imperfection  of  bringing  into  the  same  group  indi- 
viduals which,  though  resembling  in  the  characteristics  adopted  by  the 
author  for  his  classification,  yet  have  strong  marks  of  dlssitnilitude  in 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1814] 


549 


other  respects.  But  to  this  objection  every  mode  of  classification  must 
be  liable,  because  the  plan  of  creation  is  inscrutable  to  our  limited  facul- 
ties. Nature  has  not  arranged  her  productions  on  a single  and  direct 
line.  They  branch  at  every  step,  and  in  every  direction,  and  he  who  at- 
tempts to  reduce  them  into  departments,  is  left  to  do  it  by  the  lines  of 
his  own  fancy.  The  objection  of  bringing  together  what  are  disparata 
in  nature,  lies  against  the  classifications  of  Blumenbach  and  of  Cuvier, 
as  well  as  that  of  Linnaeus,  and  must  forever  lie  against  all.  Perhaps 
not  in  equal  degree;  on  this  I do  not  pronounce.  But  neither  is  this  so 
important  a consideration  as  that  of  uniting  all  nations  under  one  lan- 
guage in  Natural  History.  This  had  been  happily  effected  by  Linnaeus, 
and  can  scarcely  be  hoped  for  a second  time.  Nothing  indeed  is  so 
desperate  as  to  make  all  mankind  agree  in  giving  up  a language  they 
possess,  for  one  which  they  have  to  learn.  The  attempt  leads  directly 
to  the  confusion  of  the  tongues  of  Babel.  Disciples  of  Linnaeus,,  of 
Blumenbach,  and  of  Cuvier,  exclusively  possessing  their  own  nomencla- 
tures, can  no  longer  communicate  intelligibly  with  one  another.  How- 
ever much,  therefore,  we  are  indebted  to  both  these  naturalists,  and  to 
Cuvier  especially,  for  the  valuable  additions  they  have  made  to  the  sci- 
ences of  nature,  I cannot  say  they  have  rendered  her  a service  in  this 
attempt  to  innovate  in  the  settled  nomenclature  of  her  productions;  on 
the  contrary,  I think  it  will  be  a check  on  the  progress  of  science,  greater 
or  less,  in  proportion  as  their  schemes  shall  more  or  less  prevail.  They 
would  have  rendered  greater  service  by  holding  fast  to  the  system  on 
which  we  had  once  all  agreed,  and  by  inserting  into  that  such  new  genera, 
orders, 'or  even  classes,  as  new  discoveries  should  call  for.  Their  sys- 
tems, too,  especially  that  of  Blumenbach,  are  liable  to  the  objection  of 
giving  too  much  into  the  province  of  anatomy.  It  may  be  said,  indeed, 
that  anatomy  is  a part  of  natural  history.  In  the  broad  sense  of  the 
word,  it  certainly  is.  In  that  sense,  however,  it  would  comprehend  all 
the  natural  sciences,  every  created  thing  being  a subject  of  natural  his-  ' 
tory  in  extenso.  But  in  the  subdivuions  of  general  science,  as  has  been 
observed  in  the  particular  one  of  natural  history,  it  has  been  necessary  to 
draw  arbitrary  lines,  in  order  to  accomodate  our  limited  views.  Ac- 
cording to  these,  as  soon  as  the  structure  of  any  natural  production  is 
destroyed  by  art,  it  ceases  to  be  a subject  of  natural  history,  and  enters 
into  the  domain  ascribed  to  chemistry,  to  pharmacy,  to  anatomy,  etc. 
Linnaeus’  method  was  liable  to  this  objection  so  far  as  it  required  the 
aid  of  anatomical  dissection,  as  of  the  heart,  for  instance,  to  ascertain 
the  place  of  any  animal,  or  of  a chemical  process  for  that  of  a mineral 
substance.  It  would  certainly  be  better  to  adopt  as  much  as  possible 
such  exterior  and  visible  characteristics  as  every  traveller  is  competent  to 
observe,  to  ascertain  and  to  relate.  But  with  this  objection,  lying  but  in 
a small  degree,  Linnaeus'  method  was  received,  understood,  and  conven- 
tionally settled  among  the  learned,  and  was  even  getting  into  common 
use.  To  disturb  it  then  was  unfortunate.  The  new  system  attempted 
in  botany,  by  Jussieu,  in  mineralogy,  by  Hauiy,  are  subjects  of  the  same 
regret,  and  so  also  the  no-system  of  BufEon,  the  great  advocate  of  indi- 
vidualism in  opposition  to  classification.  He  would  carry  us  back  to 


530 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1814 

the  days  and  to  the  confusion  of  Aristotle  and  Pliny,  give  up  the  im- 
provements of  twenty  centuries,  and  co-operate  with  the  neologists  in 
rendering  the  science  of  one  generation  useless  to  the  next  by  perpetual 
changes  of  its  language.  In  botany,  Wildenow  and  Persoon  have  in- 
corporated into  Linnaeus  the  new  discovered  plants.  I do  not  know 
whether  any  one  has  rendered  us  the  same  service  as  to  his  natural  his- 
tory. It  would  be  a very  acceptable  one.  The  materials  furnished  by 
Humboldt,  and  those  from  New  Holland  particularly,  require  to  be  di- 
gested into  the  catholic  system.  Among  these  the  Ornithorhyncus  men- 
tioned by  you,  is  an  amusing  example  of  the  anomalies  by  which  nature 
sports  with  our  schemes  of  classification.  Although  without  mammae, 
naturalists  are  obliged  to  place  it  in  the  class  of  mammiferae;  and 
Blumenbach,  particularly,  arranges  it  in  his  order  of  Palmipeds  and 
toothless  genus,  with  the  walrus  and  manatie.  In  Linnaeus’  system,  it 
might  be  inserted  as  a new  genus  between  the  anteater  and  manis,  in  the 
order  of  Bruta.  It  seems,  in  truth,  to  have  stronger  relations  with  that 
class  than  any  other  in  the  construction  of  the  heart,  its  red  and  warm 
blood,  hairy  integuments,  in  being  quadruped  and  viviparous,  and  may 
we  not  say,  in  its  taut  ensemble,  which  Buffon  makes  his  sole  principle 
of  arrangement  ? The  mandible,  as  you  observe,  would  draw  it  towards 
the  birds,  were  not  this  characteristic  overbalanced  by  the  weightier  ones 
before  mentioned.  That  of  the  Cloaca  is  equivocal,  because  although  a 
character  of  birds,  yet  some  mammalia,  as  the  beaver  and  the  sloth,  have 
the  rectum  and  urinary  passage  terminating  at  a common  opening.  Its 
ribs  also,  by  their  number  and  structure,  are  nearer  those  of  the  bird 
than  of  the  mammalia.  It  is  possible  that  further  opportunities  of  ex- 
amination may  discover  the  mammae.  Those  of  the  Opossum  are  as- 
serted, by  the  Chevalier  d'Aboville,  from  his  own  observations  on  that 
animal,  made  while  here  with  the  French  army,  to  be  not  discoverable 
until  pregnancy,  and  to  disappear  as  soon  as  the  young  are  weaned. 
The  Duckbill  has  many  additional  particularities  which  liken  it  to  other 
genera,  and  some  entirely  peculiar.  Its  description  and  history  need  yet 
further  information. 

In  what  I have  said  on  the  method  of  classing,  I have  not  at  all  meant 
to  insinuate  that  that  of  Linnaeus  is  intrinsically  preferable  to  those  of 
Blumenbach  and  Cuvier.  I adhere  to  the  Linnaean  because  it  is  suffi- 
cient as  a groundwork,  admits  of  supplementary  insertions  as  new  pro- 
ductions are  discovered,  and  mainly  because  it  has  got  into  so  general 
use  that  it  vnll  not  be  easy  to  displace  it,  and  still  less  to  find  another 
which  shall  have  the  same  singular  fortune  of  obtaining  the  general  con- 
sent. During  the  attempt  we  shall  become  unintelligible  to  one  another, 
and  science^  will  be  really  retarded  by  efforts  to  advance  it  made  by  its 
most  favorite  sons.  I am  not  myselz  apt  to  be  alarmed  at  innovations 
recommended  by  reason.  That  dread  belongs  to  those  whose  interests 
or  prejudices  shrink  from  the  advance  of  truth  and  science.  My  re- 
luctance is  to  give  up  an  universal  language  of  which  we  are  in  posses- 
sion, without  an  assurance  of  geqeral  consent  to  receive  another.  And 
the  higher  the  character  of  the  authors  recommending  it,  and  the  more 
excellent  what  they  oBer,  the  greater  the  danger  of  producing  schism. 


Jbffekson’s  Gardbn  Book 


531 


1814] 

I should  seem  to  need  apology  for  these  long  remarks  to  you  who  are 
so  much  more  recent  in  these  studies,  but  I find  it  in  your  particular  re- 
quest and  my  own  respect  for  it,  and  with  that  be  pleased  to  accept  the 
assurance  of  my  esteem  and  consideration.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson 14;  97—103.) 

(Jefferson  to  Henry  Muhlenberg.) 

Monticello,  Mar.  16.  14. 

I thank  you  for  your  catalogue  of  North  American  plants,  it  is  in- 
deed very  copious,  and  at  the  same  time  compendious  in  its  form.  I 
hardly  know  what  you  have  left  for  your  “Descriptio  uberior”.  the  dis- 
coveries of  Govr.  Lewis  may  perhaps  furnish  matter  of  value,  if  ever 
they  can  be  brought  forward,  the  mere  journal  of  the  voyage  may  be 
soon  expected;  but  in  what  forwardness  are  the  volumes  of  the  botany, 
natural  history,  geography  and  meteorology  of  the  journey  I am  unin- 
formed. your  pamphlet  came  during  a long  absence  from  home,  and 
was  mislaid,  or  this  acknowledgement  should  have  been  sooner  made, 
with  my  wishes  for  the  continuance  and  success  of  your  useful  labors  I 
embrace  with  pleasure  this  first  occasion  of  assuring  you  that  I have  had 
long  and  much  gratificatior.  in  observing  the  distinguished  part  you  have 
borne  in  making  known  to  the  literary  world  the  treasures  of  our  own 
country  and  I tender  to  you  the  sentiments  of  my  high  respect  & etseem. 
. . . (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence;  21 1.) 

(Isaac  A.  Coles  to  Jefferson.) 

Enniscorthy.  2i"  Mar.  1814, 

I have  at  length  been  able  to  steal  a few  days  from  my  duty  in  Staun- 
ton to  spend  with  my  fr“^.  here,  & since  my  arrival  have  been  examining 
the  Deer  & find  there  are  three  Does  and  a Buck  that  can  very  con- 
veniently be  spared.  I have  ordered  a pen  to  be  made  in  which  they 
shall  be  fed,  & in  which  it  will  hereafter  be  easy  to  secure  them  when- 
ever it  may  be  convenient  for  you  to  send  for  them.  If  the  waggon  c“ 
bring  me  a few  small  chub  I sh'^  consider  it, a great  favor.  . . . {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  David  Gelston.) 

Monticello  Apr,  3.  14. 

Th ; J.  presents  his  compliments  to  mf  Gelston  and  his  thanks  for  the 
pumpkin  seed  he  has  been  so  kind  as  to  send  him.  he  will  with  pleasure 
give  them  a trial,  the  pumpkin  being  a plant  of  which  he  endeavors  every 
year  to  raise  so  many  as  to  maintain  all  the  stock  on  his  farms  from  the 
time  they  come  till  frost,  which  is  from  a.  to  3.  months,  besides  feed- 
ing his  workhorses,  cattle  and  sheep  on  them  entirely,  they  furnish  the 
principal  fattening  for  the  pork,  slaughtered,  a more  productive  kind 
will  therefore  be  of  value.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


532 


Jsfferson's  Garden  Book 


[1814 


(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  Apr.  xi.  1814. 

You  \rill  please  to  accept  of  a Bushel  of  the  Mazzei  pea  which  I send 
by  your  servant,  which  are  all  I have  to  spare.  Plant  them  about  the 
middle  of  next  month.  I am  sorry  they  are  so  mixed  with  the  cow  pea, 
as  you  want  them  to  put  you  in  stock  it  will  be  well  to  have  the  latter 
pi<^ed  from  them.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  Correa  da  Serra.) 

Monticello,  April  ig,  1814. 

. . . You  will  ffnd  the  summer  of  Monticello  much  cooler  than  that 
of  Philadelphia,  equally  so  with  that  of  the  neighborhood  of  that  place, 
and  more  healthy.  'Hie  amusements  it  offers  are  such  as  you  know 
which,  to  you,  would  be  principally  books  and  botany.  Mr.  Randolph's 
resignation  of  his  military  commission  will  enable  him  to  be  an  associate 
in  your  botanical  rambles.  Come  then,  my  dear  Sir,  and  be  one  of  our 
family  as  long  as  you  can  bear  a separation  from  the  science  of  the 
world.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ig:  209-210.) 

(David  Gelston  to  Jefferson.) 

New  York  ai“  April  1814. 

Perceiving  by  your  note  of  the  3^  Instant,  that,  the  seeds  I sent  you 
may  be  more  useful  than  I had  contemplated,  and  having  plenty  on  hand, 
which  are  of  the  same  species,  but  were  taken  from  a pumpkin  of  a 
smaller  growth,  I do  myself  the  pleasure  to  enclose  a further  supply. 

1 will  just  mention,  that  I have  observed  the  greatest  growth  in  a 
potatoe  patch  of  strong  new  ground,  and  it  appeared  to  me  the  moisture 
of  the  ground  under  the  potatoe  vines  contributed  greatly  to  the  growth 
of  the  plant,  a single  seed  in  the  situation  here  described,  produced  more 
than  in  any  other  way,  without  apparently  injttring  the  crop  of  potatoes. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M,  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Samuel  Brown.) 

Monticello  Apr.  28.  14. 

...  I have  carefully  committed  to  the  earth  the  seeds  you  were  so 
kind  as  to  send  me  the  last  summer,  the  Capsicum  I am  anxious  to  see 
Up ; but  it  does  not  yet  show  itself,  nor  do  the  garavances  appear.  I do 
not  yet  however  despair  of  them.  I have  just  received  from  an  Euro- 
peM  friend,  M.  Correa  de  Serra,  a request  to  engage  some  friend  on  the 
Missisipi  to  send  me  a young  branch  or  two  of  the  Bow-wood,  or  bois 
d’arc  of  Louisiana  pressed  in  brown  paper  with  their  leaves  and  both  the 
male  & female  flowers,  also  some  of  the  fruit,  either  dry,  or  in  a mix- 
ture of  i whiskey  k water,  the  dry  no  doubt  can  come  most  con- 
veniently by  mail,  also  in  the  proper  season  some  ripe  seeds,  can  I get 
the  favor  of  you  to  execute  the  commission?  Correa  is  now  at 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


533 


1814] 

Philadelphia,  setting  out  on  a visit  to  Kentucky,  he  is  perhaps  the  most 
learned  man  in  the  world,  not  merely  in  books,  but  in  men  & things, 
and  a more  amiable  & interesting  one  I have  never  seen,  altho'  a 
stranger  to  no  science,  he  is  fondest  of  Botany,  should  you  have  gone 
to  Kentucky  as  your  last  letter  seemed  to  contemplate,  take  him  to  your 
bosom,  and  recommend  all  the  attentions  to  him  by  which  our  brediren 
of  Kentucky  can  honor  themselves.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(JeSerson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Poplar  Forest  June  6.  14. 

. . . there  have  not  been  more  than  2.  or  3.  days  without  rain  since  I 
came  here,  and  the  last  night  the  most  tremendous  storm  of  rain,  wind 
& lightning  I have  ever  witnessed.  ...  I have  not  seen  a pea  since  I 
left  Albemarle,  and  have  no  vegetable  but  spinach  and  scrubby  lettuce. 

. . . If  Wormly  & Ned  should  get  through  the  hal  hal  and  cleaning  all 
the  grounds  within  the  upper  roundabout,  they  should  next  widen  the 
Carlton  road,  digging  it  level  and  extending  it  upwards  from  the  corner 
of  the  grave  yard  up,  as  the  path  runs  into  the  upper  Roundabout,  so  as 
to  make  the  approach  to  the  house  from  that  quarter  on  the  northside 
instead  of  the  South.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Mease.) 

Monticello  June  29.  14. 

On  my  return  home  after  an  absence  of  five  weeks,  I find  here  your 
letter  of  May  24.  of  the  history  of  the  Hughe’s  crab  apple  I can  furnish 
nothing  more  than  that  I remember  it  well  upwards  of  60.  years  ago,  & 
that  it  was  then  a common  apple  on  James  river,  of  the  other  apple 
after  which  you  enquire  I happen  to  know  the  origin,  it  is  not  a crab, 
but  a seedling  which  grew  alone  in  a large  old  field  near  Williamsburg 
where  the  seed  had  probably  been  dropped  by  some  bird.  Maj'.  Talia- 
ferro of  that  neighborhood  remarking  it  once  to  be  very  full  of  apples 
got  permission  of  the  owner  of  the  ground  to  gather  them,  from  these 
he  made  a cask  of  cyder  which,  in  the  estimation  of  every  one  who 
tasted  it  was  the  finest  they  had  ever  seen,  he  grafted  an  orchard  from 
it,  as  did  also  his  son  in  law  our  late  Chancellor  Wythe,  the  cyder  they 
constantly  made  from  this  was  perferred  by  every  person  to  the  Crab  or 
any  other  cyder  ever  known  in  this  state,  and  it  still  retains  it’s  character 
in  the  different  places  to  which  it  has  been  transferred.  I am  familiar 
with  it,  and  have  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  it  much  superior  to  the 
Hughes’s  crab,  it  has  more  body,  is  less  acid,  and  comes  nearer  to  the 
silky  Champaigne  than  any  other.  Maj'.  Taliaferro  called  it  the  Rob- 
ertson apple  from  the  name  of  the  person  owning  the  parent  tree,  but 
subsequently  it  has  more  justly  and  generally  been  distinguished  by  the 
name  of  the  Taliaferro  apple,  after  him  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for 
the  discovery  of  it’s  valuable  properties,  it  is  the  most  juicy  apple  1 
have  ever  known,  & is  very  refreshing  as  an  eating  apple.  . . . {Jeffer- 
son Papers,  L.  C.) 


534 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1814 


(Jefferson  to  John  Wayles  Eppes.) 

Monticello.  July  16.  14. 

...  I had  built  a most  excellent  house  {^Poplar  Forest]  and,  since 
our  correspondence  on  the  subject,  have  been  doing  much  towards  it’s 
completion,  the  inside  work  is  mostly  done,  and  I have  this  summer 
built  a wing  of  offices  110.  feet  long,  in  the  manner  of  those  at  Monti* 
cello,  with  a flat  roof  in  the  level  of  the  floor  of  the  house,  the  whole, 
as  it  now  stands,  could  not  be  valued  at  less  than  io,ocx}.  D.  and  I am 
going  on.  I am  also  making  such  improvements  of  the  grounds  as  re- 
quire time  to  perfect  themselves:  and  instead  of  clearing  on  the  lands 
proposed  for  him  [Francis  Eppes]  once  in  5 years  only  as  formerly  men- 
tioned, I dear  on  them  every  year,  and  by  the  time  he  comes  of  age, 
there  will  probably  be  300.  acres  of  open  land.  . . . ( The  Huntington 
Library  Quarterly  6 (3) : 348,  1943.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  Thomas  Cooper.) 

Monticello,  October  7,  1814. 

. . . And  Botany  1 rank  with  the  most  valuable  sciences,  whether  we 
consider  its  subjects  as  furnishing  the  principal  subsistence  of  life  to  man 
and  beast,  delicious  varieties  for  our  tables,  refreshments  from  our  or- 
chards, the  adornments  of  our  flower-borders,  shade  and  perfume  of  our 
groves,  materials  for  our  buildings,  or  medicaments  for  our  bodies.  To 
die  gentleman  it  is  certainly  more  interesting  than  Mineralogy  (which  I 
by  no  means,  however,  undervalue),  and  is  more  at  hand  for  his  amuse- 
ment; and  to  a country  family  it  constitutes  a great  portion  of  their  so- 
dal  entertainment.  No  country  gentleman  should  be  without  what 
amuses  every  step  he  takes  into  his  fields,  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jef- 
ferson 14:  201.) 

(Isaac  Coles  to  Jefferson.) 

Enniscorthy  Oct:  1814, 

I send  you  by  the  Bearer  the  Wild  Orange  of  South  Carolina.  It 
grows  in  the  middle  upper  parts  of  the  State,  is  said  to  be  a very  hardy 
tree,  some  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  world.  I am  induced  to  believe 
from  the  account  I have  received  of  it,  that  it  will  do  well  in  our  climate, 

M"*.  Singleton  [?]  from  whom  I received  it,  is  very  desirous  of  get- 
ting a few  plants  of  the  Marseilles  Fig  to  carry  back  with  her  to  Caro- 
Ima,  where  it  is  not  known  at  ail,  & where  the  climate  will  suit  it  so 
well.  You  will  oblige  me  much  by  sending  a few  plants  by  the  Servant. 
. . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  Goodman.) 

Monticello  Dec.  10.  1814. 

...  He  [servant]  brings  some  trees  etc.,  [for  Poplar  Forest]  which 
please  have  planted  immediately  in  the  nursery  behind  the  stables  12, 
inches  apart.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1814] 


535 


(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  A.  Goodman.) 

Monticello  Dec.  23.  14. 

...  I have  a letter  from  mr  Radford  desiring  the  road  thro’  his  land 
may  not  be  opened  until  the  court  establishes  it,  assuring  me  he  'will 
make  no  opposition,  we  must  let  that  part  lie  then,  & ffnish  the  rest, 
the  account  of  your  wheat  crop  is  really  disheartening,  after  taking  out 
the  seed  sown,  it  does  not  give  2.  for  i.  the  corn  too  is  short,  but  it  is 
suiGcient  if  dealt  out  economically,  by  which  I do  not  mean  that  any 
thing  is  to  be  under-fed.  I know  that  neither  people  nor  horses  can 
work  unless  well  fed,  nor  can  hogs  or  sheep  be  raised,  but  full  experi- 
ence here  has  proved  that  12.  barrels  for  every  laborer  will  carry  the 
year  through  if  kept  under  lock  & key.  we  have  tried  this  year  the 
grinding  the  corn  for  the  fattening  hogs,  & boiling  the  meal  into  mush, 
it  is  surprising  how  much  sooner  they  have  fattened,  we  think  we  have 
saved  one  half,  the  same  saving  might  be  made  by  grinding  the  corn  for 
your  horses  and  mixing  the  meal  with  chopped  straw,  the  sending  only 
2a  blankets  was  a mistake  of  mrs  Randolph’s,  the  other  2.  shall  go  by 
the  waggon.  I hope  you  are  hurrying  the  tobacco.  Davy,  Bartlet, 
Nace  & Eve  set  out  this  morning  for  Poplar  Forest,  let  them  start  on 
their  return  with  the  hogs  the  day  after  your  holidays  end,  which  I sup- 
pose will  be  on  Wednesday  night,  so  that  they  may  set  out  Thursday 
morning,  caution  them  against  whipping  the  hogs,  the  last  year  there 
was  one  so  bruised  all  over  that  not  a single  piece  of  it  could  be  used,  & 
several  were  so  injured  that  many  pieces  of  them  were  lost.  I am  very 
glad  to  learn  that  the  negroes  have  r«:eived  their  clothes.  . . . (Courtesy 
of  Dr.  A S.  W.  Rosenbach.) 


(Jefferson  to  Correa  da  Serra.) 

Monticello,  December  27,  1814. 

Yours  of  the  9th  has  been  duly  received,  and  I thank  you  for  the  recipe 
for  imitating  purrolani,  which  I shall  certainly  try  on  my  cisterns  the 
ensuing  summer.  The  making  them  impermeable  to  water  is  of  great 
consequence  to  me.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  14:  221-222.) 


From  the  Farm  Book  1814: 

1814,  May  3.  the  period  for  sowing  wheat  is  from  Oct.  10.  to  Nov. 

10.  what  is  sown  either  earlier  or  later  is  subject  to 
the  fly. 


From  the  Account  Book  1809-1820: 

Apr.  27.  James  (label’s)  to  procure  some  living  carp  for  the  pond  5.  D. 


Sigi 


ty  snaps 


!• 

**• 


537 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


538 


[181S 


‘ 18 1§.  Early  in  January  Congress  passed  a bill  to  pur- 
chase Jefferson’s  library.  On  April  29  Jefferson  wrote  in  his 
Account  Book  i8og-i820;  “the  sale  of  my  library  to  Congress 
for  23,950  D.”  The  sale  of  his  magnificent  library  no  doubt 
gave  Jefferson  many  sorrowful  moments,  but  the  money  re- 
ceived came  as  a boon  to  his  depleted  finances. 

Jefferson  spent  a happy  year  doing  the  things  he  most  en- 
joyed. 

His  family  remember  that  he  was  particularly  active  during  the  sum- 
mer in  both  indoor  and  outdoor  improvements,  inventions,  scientific  in- 
vestigations, etc.  He  contrived  a leather  top  for  a carriage,  which 
could  be  readily  arranged  to  exclude  rain,  or  leave  the  vehicle  entirely 
uncovered — and  which  worked  essentially  on  the  plan  of  the  modern  ex- 
tension-top  carriage.  He  invented  a machine  for  breaking  hemp,  which 
he  first  had  moved  by  the  gate  of  his  sawmill,  and  afterwards  by  a 
horse.  It  answered  its  purpose  completely,  and  produced  a material 
saving  in  expense.  His  fertile  ingenuity  also  gave  birth  to  many  minor 
contrivances.  He  measured  the  heights  of  Monticello  and  various  con- 
tiguous hills — and  of  the  peaks  of  Otter  when  he  made  his  autumn  visit 
to  Poplar  Forest.  Altogether  he  spent  an  active  and  agreeable  year. 
(Randall,  Jefferson  3:  423-486.) 

The  outdoor  activity  mentioned  by  Randall  was  not  re- 
corded in  the  Garden  Book,  where  there  is  only  one  short 
page  of  notes  on  the  plantings  in  the  garden.  The  Farm 
Book  mentions  only  a few  articles  planted. 

Varied  letters  continued  from  Jefferson’s  pen.  He  was  ap- 
pealed to  on  almost  every  subject,  and  he  usually  had  some 
answer  for  each  correspondent.  Letters  on  agriculture  were 
more  numerous  than  in  1814. 

There  was  a custom  in  Jefferson’s  neighborhood  among  the 
older  gentlemen,  that  whoever  first  had  peas  in  the  spring 
should  announce  it  by  an  invitation  to  the  others  to  dine  with 
him.  This  custom  stimulated  a pleasant  rivalry  among  them, 
each  one  planting  his  pea  seed  in  early  spring  with  the  hope 
that  his  peas  would  be  the  first  to  come  to  the  table.  Thomas 
Jefferson  Randolph,  writing  to  Mr.  Randall,  said: 

A wealthy  neighbor  [Mr.  George  Divers],  without  children,  and  fond 
of  horticulture,  generally  triumphed.  Mr.  Jefferson,  on  one  occasion 
had  them  first,  and  when  his  family  reminded  him  that  it  was  his  right 
to  invite  the  company,  he  replied,  “No,  say  nothing  about  it,  it  will  be 
more  agreeable  to  our  friend  to  think  that  he  never  fails.”  (Randall, 
Jefferson  3:  674.) 


' w lawn  arid  honse  ^ McinticeUo.  This  photc^raph  shows  the  graveled  Round-about  Walk,  flower  borders,  and  beds  about 

th^ehiOT^  n6’i^toi«^.b}r  the  Qub  of  Virgima. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


539 


1815] 

Jefferson  wrote  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Trist  on  June  i ; 

Your  friends  mf  & mfs  Divers  arc  in  as  good  health  as  usual.  I dined 
with  them  on  peas  the  of  April,  here  our  first  peas  were  the  29th 
of  May,  which  shews  the  inattention  here  to  the  cheapest,  pleasantest,  & 
most  wholesome  part  of  comfortable  living.  (Jefferson  Papers^  M. 
H.  S.) 

See  entry  in  Garden  Book,  April  30,  and  letter,  George  Divers 
to  Jefferson,  April  30,  1815. 

Jefferson  began  this  year  to  formulate  outlines  for  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia,  a project  which  was  to  crown  his  later 
years. 

Three  visits  were  made  to  Poplar  Forest  during  the  year. 
During  the  autumn  visit  he  made  trips  to  the  Peaks  of  Otter 
and  to  Natural  Bridge.  Joel  Yancey  was  made  overseer 
at  Poplar  Forest,  succeeding  Jeremiah  Goodman.  Edmund 
Bacon  was  still  the  efficient  overseer  at  Monticello. 

On  August  7 Jefferson  lost  his  only  brother,  Randolph  Jef- 
ferson. This  appears  to  have  been  the  only  sadness  that  came 
to  Monticello  during  the  year. 

*Thi8  entry  was  removed  from  page  56  of  the  Garden 
Book  to  place  it  in  its  chronological  order.  See  letter,  George 
Divers  to  Jefferson,  April  30,  1815. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1815 

(Jefferson  to  Jeremiah  Goodman.) 

Monticello  Jan.  6,  15. 

Dick  arrived  here  on  the  4“*.  with  the  butter,  salt,  beef  Sc  hogs,  one 
he  said  had  been  left  at  Lynchburg,  one  tired  and  was  killed  on  the  road, 
the  other  13.  have  been  killed  here,  their  weights  were  lOi.  99.  91.  91. 
80.  76.  67.  67.  67.  61.  56.  53.  47.  as  they  would  not  make  bacon  at 
all,  being  so  small  they  would  dry  up  to  nothing,  we  shall  try  to  make 
them  up  into  salt  pork,  in  which  way  they  may  do  for  the  people,  but 
such  a supply  of  pork,  and  14.  bushels  of  wheat  a hand  carried  to  market 
are  very  damping  circumstances.  Dick  carries  with  him  a pair  of  the 
Gumea  breed  of  hogs,  of  the  same  which  I sent  formerly,  but  which 
seem  to  have  had  no  effect  we  killed  hogs  of  this  breed  here  this  year, 
not  18.  months  old  weighing  200.  lb.  and  a great  part  of  them  150.  & 
all  under  that  age.  yours  average  73f . I send  by  Dick  4.  ploughs, 
which  with  the  one  sent  by  James,  and  a Peacock  plough  sent  formerly, 
allows  three  for  each  place,  he  brings  2.  barrels  containing  bottled  beer, 
to  be  put  into  the  cellar,  and  2.  barrels  containing  40.  lb  of  wool,  we 
can  very  illy  spare  it,  not  having  enough  for  our  people  here,  but  we  will 
try  a mixture  of  hemp  & cotton  for  the  negro  children  here,  in  order  to 


540 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8is 

help  out  for  your  people,  it  is  indispensably  necessary  that  you  take  as 
much  care  of  the  lambs  & sheep  as  if  they  were  children,  we  feel  now 
the  misfortune  of  the  loss  of  so  many  last  year,  as  well  as  mf  Darnell’s 
trespass,  the  wool  sent  is  half  blo^ed  Merino,  and  very  difficult  to 
make  any  thing  of  for  coarse  cloth,  you  can  do  nothing  with  it  with 
wool-cards.  it  must  either  be  carded  with  hne  cotton  cards,  or  carded 
at  some  of  the  carding  machines,  it  would  be  better  indeed  if  you  could 
exchange  it  for  common  wool  with  some  of  the  neighbors  who  want  to 
make  fine  cloth  for  their  own  use.  I expected  to  have  received  by  Dick 
a list  of  the  stock,  and  now  send  you  blank  lists  for  each  place,  which  I 
will  be  glad  to  have  filled  up  and  returned  to  me  by  the  mail.  1 must 
get  you  to  speak  to  mr  Watkins  and  let  him  know  I depend  on  his 
promise  to  come  and  make  a wheat  machine  for  me.  the  stuff  has  been 
all  ready  this  twelvemonth,  if  he  can  make  his  arrangements  to  come 
about  the  middle  of  April,  it  would  be  in  time.  I should  have  an  op- 
portunity of  seeing  him  at  Poplar  Forest  the  i'‘.  week  in  April,  when  I 
shall  be  there.  Phill  Hubard  arrived  here  the  2*  day  after  Christmas, 
his  subject  of  complaint  is  exactly  what  you  supposed,  he  says  that  he 
and  Dick’s  Hanah  had  become  husband  & wife,  but  that  you  drove  him 
repeatedly  from  her  father’s  house  and  would  not  let  him  go  there, 
punishing  her,  as  he  supposes,  for  receiving  him.  certainly  there  is 
nothing  I desire  so  much  as  that  all  the  young  people  in  the  estate  should 
intermarry  with  one  another  and  stay  at  home,  they  arc  worth  a great 
deal  more  in  that  case  than  when  they  have  husbands  and  wives  abroad. 
Phill  has  been  long  petitioning  me  to  let  him  go  to  Bearcrcek  to  live  with 
his  family,  and  Nanny  has  been  as  long  at  me  to  let  her  come  to  the 
Poplar  forest,  we  may  therefore  now  gratify  both,  by  sending  Phill  & 
his  wife  to  Bearcreek,  and  bringing  Nanny  and  any  one  of  the  single 
men  from  there,  that  is  to  say  Reuben,  Daniel,  or  Stephen,  no  new 
house  will  be  wanting  because  Phill  can  take  the  house  Nanny  leaves, 
and  Nanny  may  take  the  house  which  Cate’s  Hanah  leaves.  I would 
wish  you  to  give  to  Dick’s  Hanah  a pot,  and  a bed,  which  I always 
promise  them  when  they  take  husbands  at  home,  and  I shall  be  very 
glad  to  hear  that  others  of  the  young  people  follow  their  example,  a 
crocus  bed  may  be  got  from  mf  Robertson.  I would  by  no  means  have 
Phill  punished  for  what  he  has  done;  for  altho  I had  let  them  all  know 
that  their  runnings  away  should  be  punished,  yet  Phill’s  character  is  not 
that  of  a runaway.  I Have  known  him  from  a boy  and  that  he  has  not 
come  off  to  sculk  from  his  work.  . . . Dick  carries  the  two  blankets 
whidi  were  short  of  the  number  intended  to  have  been  sent  by  James, 
let  the  beer  be  put  into  the  cellar  immediately,  for  fear  of  it's  freezing, 
setting  the  proper  head  of  the  barrels  uppermost,  dbat  ihe  bottles  in  them 
may  stand  widi  the  corks  up.  . . . (Courtesy  of  Dr.  A.  S.  W.  Rosen- 
bach.) 

(John  Vaughan  to  Jefferson.) 

Philad,  Jan>'  9,  1815, 

. . . P.  S.  I do  not  know  whether  you  possess  any  part  of  Michaux’s 
Am*.  Forest  Trees.  The  a*  & 3*  vol.  are  here.  The  first  vol.  consists 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


541 


1815] 

of  the  Fines  & Noyers.  Some  persons  who  had  taken  this  being  re- 
moved from  the  country,  these  two  last  vol.  can  be  procured,  but  not,  I 
believe,  the  whole  work.  It  is  much  appreciated,  & I could  very  readily 
dispose  of  several  complete  copies  if  I had  them.  (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  C.,  1:  224-225.) 


(Jefferson  to  William  Thornton.) 

Monticello  Feb.  9.  15. 

...  I have  endeavored  to  constitute  a supply  of  water  at  Monticello 
by  cisterns  for  receiving  and  preserving  the  rain  water  falling  on  ray 
buildings,  these  would  furnish  me  600  gallons  of  water  a day,  if  I 
could  by  cement  or  plaister  make  them  hold  water,  but  this  I have  not 
been  able  to  do  as  yet.  they  are  of  brick,  4 in  number  being  cubes  of 
8.  f.  sunk  in  the  ground.  ...  my  expectation  is  that  my  cistern  water 
may  be  made  potable,  which  will  add  much  to  their  value.  . . . (Jeffer- 
son Papers,  M.  H.  S.)  [See  appeiidix  II.] 

(Randolph  Jefferson  to  Jefferson.) 

Snowden  February  13:  1815 

Dear  Brother, 

...  I would  be  extreemly  oblige  to  you  for  a few  science,  of  your 
good  fruit,  of  apple  & cherry,  if  it  should  not  be  too  late  to  moove 
them  Now,  or  any  other  fruit  that  you  Would  oblige  Me  With,  that 
you  have  to  spare  also  a few  cabbage  seed  and  ice  lettuce  seed,  if  it  is 
but  one  half  spoon  full  provided  you  have  as  Many  to  spare  Without 
disfernishing  yourself.  . . . (Carr-Cary  Papers.  U.  Va.)  [Note  in 
T.  J.’s  hand:  Apples,  cherries,  cabbage,  ice  lettuce.] 

(Jefferson  to  Randolph  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  Feb.  16.  15. 

Dear  Brother, 

...  I send  you  some  green  curled  Savoy  cabbage  seed.  I have  no 
ice  lettuce,  but  send  you  what  I think  better  the  white  loaf  lettuce,  the 
ice  lettuce  does  not  do  well  in  a dry  season.  I send  you  also  some  sprout 
kale,  the  finest  winter  vegetable  we  have,  sow  it  and  plant  it  as  cab- 
bage, but  let  it  stand  out  all  winter,  it  will  give  you  sprouts  from  the 
first  of  December  to  April.  . . . (Carr-Cary  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  B.  S.  Barton.) 

Monticello,  February  St6,  1815. 

Congress  having  concluded  to  replace  by  my  library  the  one  they  lost 
by  British  vandalism,  it  is  now  become  their  property  and  of  course  my 
duty  to  collect  and  put  in  place  whatever  stood  in  the  catalogue  by  which 
they  purchased.  This  renders  it  necessary  for  me  to  request  the  return 
of  PersQon's  Botanical  work  of  which  you  asked  the  use  some  time  ago. 


542 


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[x8i5 

I am  in  hopes  that  you  have  been  able  to  make  it  answer  the  purposes  for 
which  you  wished  its  use.  If  well  enveloped  in  strong  paper  it  will 
come  safely  by  mail.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  19:  223.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jean  Baptiste  Say.) 

Monticello,  March  2,  1815. 

...  I will  proceed  now  to  answer  the  inquiries  which  respect  your 
views  of  removal;  and  I am  glad  that,  in  looking  oyer  our  map,  your 
eye  has  been  attracted  by  the  village  of  Charlottesville,  because  I am 
better  acquainted  with  that  than  any  other  portion  of  the  United  States, 
being  within  three  or  four  miles  of  the  place  of  my  birth  and  residence. 
It  is  a portion  of  the  country  which  certainly  possesses  great  advantages. 
Its  soil  is  equal  in  natural  fertility  to  any  high  lands  1 have  ever  seen; 
it  is  red  and  hilly,  very  like  much  of  the  country  of  Champagne  and 
Burgundy,  on  the  route  of  Sens,  Vcrmanton,  Vitteaux,  Dijon,  and 
along  the  Cote  to  Chagny,  excellently  adapted  to  wheat,  maize,  and 
clover;  like  all  mountainous  countries  it  is  perfectly  healthy,  liable  to  no 
agues  and  fevers,  or  to  any  particular  epidemic,  as  is  evidenced  by  the 
robust  constitution  of  its  inhabitants,  and  their  numerous  families.  As 
many  instances  of  nonagenaires  exist  habitually  in  this  neighborhood  as 
in  the  same  degree  of  population  anywhere.  Its  temperature 
French  may  be  considered  as  a medium  of  that  of  the  United  States. 
~ 16°  The  extreme  of  cold  in  ordinary  winters  being  about  7°  of 
= 5°  Reaumur  below  zero,  and  in  the  severest  12“,  while  the  ordi- 
nary mornings  are  above  zero.  The  maximum  of  heat  in  sum- 
==  96“  mer  is  about  28®,  of  which  we  have  one  or  two  instances  in 
a summer  for  a few  hours.  About  ten  or  twelve  da3rs  in 
July  and  August,  the  thermometer  rises  for  two  or  three 
— 84®  hours  to  about  23®,  while  the  ordinary  mid-day  heat  of  those 
= 80“  months  is  about  ai®,  the  mercury  continuing  at  that  two  or 
= 70®  three  hours,  and  falling  in  the  evening  to  about  17°.  White 
frosts  commence  about  the  middle  of  October,  tender  vege- 
tables are  in  danger  from  them  till  nearly  the  middle  of  April.  1110 
mercury  begins,  about  the  middle  of  November,  to  be  occasionally  at  the 
freezing  point,  and  ceases  to  be  so  about  the  middle  of  MarcL  We 
have  of  freezing  nights  about  fifty  in  the  course  of  the  winter,  but  not 
more  than  ten  days  in  which  the  mercury  does  not  rise  above  the  freez- 
ing point,  _ Fire  is  desirable  even  in  close  apartments  whenever  the  out- 
ward air  is  below  10®,  (=  35®  Fahrenheit,)  and  that  is  the  case  with 
us  through  the  day,  one  hundred  and  thir^-two  days  in  the  year,  and 
on  mornings  and  evenings  sixty-eight  days  more.  So  that  we  have  con- 
stant fires  five  months,  and  a little  over  two  months  more  on  mornings 
and  evenings.  Observations  made  at  Yorktown  in  the  lower  country, 
show  that  they  need  seven  days  less  of  constant  fires,  and  thirty-eight 
less  of  mornings  and  evenings.  On  an  average  of  seven  years  I have 
found  our  snows  amount  in  the  whole  to  fifteen  inches  depth,  and  to 
cover  the  ground  fifteen  days  5 these,  with  the  rains,  give  us  four  feet  of 
water  m me  year.  The  garden  pea,  which  we  are  now  sowing,  comes 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


543 


i8is] 

to  the  table  about  the  I2th  of  May;  strawberries  and  cherries  about  the 
same  time;  asparagus  the  ist  of  April.  The  artichoke  stands  the  winter 
without  cover ; lettuce  and  endive  with  a slight  one  of  bushes,  and  often 
without  any;  and  the  fig,  protected  by  a little  straw,  begins  to  ripen  in 
July;  if  unprotected,  not  till  the  ist  of  September.  There  is  navigation 
for  boats  of  six  tons  from  Charlottesville  to  Richmond,  the  nearest  tide- 
water, and  principal  market  for  our  produce.  The  country  is  what  we 
call  well  inhabited,  there  being  in  our  county,  Albemarle,  of  about  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  square  miles,  about  twenty  thousand  inhabitants,  or 
twenty-seven  to  a square  mile,  of  whom,  however,  one-half  are  people 
of  color,  either  slaves  or  free.  The  society  is  much  better  than  is  com- 
mon in  country  situations;  perhaps  there  is  not  a better  country  society 
in  the  United  States.  But  do  not  imagine  this  is  a Parisian  or  an 
academical  society.  It  consists  of  plain,  honest,  and  rational  neighbors, 
some  of  them  well  informed  and  men  of  reading,  all  superintpding 
their  farms,  hospitable  and  friendly,  and  speaking  nothing  but  English. 
The  manners  of  every  nation  are  the  standard  of  orthodoxy  within  itself. 
But  these  standards  being  arbitrary,  reasonable  people  in  all  allow  free 
toleration  for  the  manners,  as  for  the  religion  of  others.  Our  culture 
is  of  wheat  for  market,  and  of  maize,  oats,  peas,  and  clover,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  farm.  We  reckon  it  a good  distribution  to  divide  a farm 
into  three  fields,  putting  one  into  wheat,  half  a one  into  maize,  the  other 
half  into  oats  or  peas,  and  the  third  into  clover,  and  to  tend  the  fields 
successively  in  this  rotation.  Some  woodland  in  addition,  is  always 
necessary  to  furnish  fuel,  fences,  and  timber  for  constructions.  Our 
best  farmers  (such  as  Mr.  Randolph,  my  son-in-law)  get  from  ten  to 
twenty  bushels  of  wheat  to  the  acre;  our  worst  (such  as  myself)  from 
six  to  eighteen,  with  little  or  more  manuring.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  14:  260-263.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Willson  Peale.) 

Monticello  Mar,  21.  15. 

...  we  have  indeed  had  a hard  winter,  our  average  of  snow  in  a 
common  winter  is  15.  I.  which  cover  the  ground  15.  days  in  the  whole, 
this  winter  we  have  had  29.  I.  of  snow  which  covered  the  ground  39. 
days,  in  general  we  have  4.  ploughing  days  in  the  week,  taking  the 
winter  through.  I do  not  think  we  have  had  3,  a week  this  winter;  so 
that  we  have  much  ploughing  still  to  do  for  our  oats  and  corn,  but  we 
have  had  a method  of  planting  corn  suggested  by  a mf  Hall  which 
dispenses  with  the  plough  entirely,  he  marks  the  ground  off  in  squares 
of  10  f.  by  a coulter,  or  an  iron  pin.  at  each  crossing  of  the  lines  he 
digs  2 f 3 I.  square  (equal  nearly  to  5.  square  feet)  as  deep  as  the 
mattock  will  go.  this  little  square  is  manured  as  you  would  have 
manured  the  whole  ground,  taking  consequently  but  ^ of  the  manure; 
a grain  of  corn  is  planted  within  6.  I.  of  each  corner,  so  as  to  produce 
4.  stalks  about  15.  I.  apart.  _ this  is  to  be  kept  clean  of  weeds  either  by 
the  hoe,  or  by  covering  it  with  straw  so  deep  as  to  smother  weeds,  when 


544 


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ti8i5 

the  plant  is  12.  1.  high,  he  asks  but  2.  laborers  to  make  2500  bushels 
of  corn,  he  has  taken  a patent  for  his  process,  and  has  given  me  a right 
to  use  it,  for  I certainly  should  not  have  thought  the  right  worth  50.  D. 
the  price  of  a licence.  I am  about  trying  one  acre.  I have  lately  had 
my  mouldboard  cast  in  iron,  very  thin,  for  a furrow  of  g,  I.  wide  & 6.  I. 
deep,  and  fitted  to  a plough,  so  light  that  two  small  horses  or  mules  draw 
it  with  less  labor  than  I have  ever  before  seen  necessary,  it  does  beauti- 
ful work  and  is  approved  by  every  one.  I will  have  one  made  and  send 
it  to  you  now  that  the  sea  is  open.  I think  your  farming  friends  will 
adopt  it,  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  C.  Carter.) 

Monticello  Apr.  26.  15. 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  compliments  to  mf  Carter  and  his  thanks 
for  the  Copy  of  Arator  which  he  has  been  so  kind  as  to  send  him.  we 
are  indebted  to  Col®  Taylor  for  a great  deal  of  valuable  information 
given  us  in  that  volume  on  the  subject  of  Agriculture.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  L.  C.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  SO***.  April  1815 

We  returned  home  yesterday  from  a visit  of  several  days  and  I did 
not  examine  into  the  state  of  our  peas  till  late  in  the  evening,  when  I 
found  them  quite  ready,  they  have  suffered  so  much  fronj  the  drought 
that  they  will  last  but  a few  days.  We  should  be  glad  you  will  come 
up  and  partake  of  our  first  dish  today  & that  Maddison  would  come 
with  you.  . , . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H,  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Archibald  Robertson.) 

Poplar  Forest  June  i.  15. 

. . . Having  found  it  necessary  to  make  a change  in  the  management 
of  my  affairs  here,  I have  engaged  mf  Joel  Yancey  to  undertake  the  di- 
rection of  them  & superintendance  of  the  overseers.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  U,  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  Joel  Yancey.) 

Monticello  June  7.  15. 

I omitted  among  my  memorandum  to  request  you  to  have  all  the  seed 
of  the  oat-grass  at  mf  Goodman’s  saved,  in  order  to  make  lots  near  each 
of  the  overseer’s  houses,  it  comes  a month  earlier  than  any  other  grass, 
and  is  therefore  valuable  for  ewes  and  lambs,  calves,  yearlings,  and  poor 
cows,  there  should  also  be  good  doyer  lots  adjoining,  independent  of 
the  larger  dover  fields.  I have  inquired  and  got  go<d  information  on 
the  subject  of  dover  sown  in  the  husk,  it  is  to  be  cut  as  usual  and  laid 
up  in  hmd-ricks  of  3.  or  4.  feet  high  to  rot  to  such  a degree  as  to  leave 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


S45 


i8is] 

the  husks  separable  from  the  stalk  and  from  one  another,  whenever  it 
rains  the  ricks  should  be  turned  over  to  prevent  its  rotting  too  much  or 
spoiling  the  seed  at  the  bottom,  when  it  is  sufficiently  rotted  it  must 
either  be  beaten  to  pieces  with  flails  on  a plank  floor,  or  passed  thro’  the 
threshing  machine,  the  object  is  not  to  separate  the  seed  from  the  husk, 
but  merely  to  separate  at  their  bottom,  where  they  grow  together,  the 
numerous  husks  of  which  a single  clove  blossom  is  composed.  7.  bushels 
of  this  separated  husk  is  necessary  to  an  acre,  the  time  of  solving  is 
from  the  middle  of  February  to  the  10th  of  March,  and  there  is  no 
better  method  than  sowing  it  in  snow,  the  2d  cutting  yields  more  seed 
than  the  i‘‘.  and  is  better,  having  been  cut  altogether  it  starts  its  2*. 
growth  and  ripens  together,  everybody  agrees  that  it  comes  up  with 
much  more  certainty  when  sown  in  the  husk.  . . . {Jefferson  PaperSj 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Willson  Peale.) 

Monticello,  June  13,  15. 

...  It  will  be  yet  some  time  (perhaps  a month)  before  my  workmen 
will  be  free  to  make  the  plough  I shall  send  you.  You  will  be  at  per- 
fect liberty  to  use  the  form  of  the  mouldboard,  as  all  the  world  is,  having 
never  thought  of  monopolizing  by  patent  any  useful  idea  which  happens 
to  offer  itself  to  me ; and  the  permission  to  do  this  is  doing  a great  deal 
more  harm  than  good.  There  is  a late  instance  in  this  State  of  a rascal 
going  thro*  every  part  of  it,  and  swindling  the  mill-owners,  under  a 
patent  of  2 years  old  only,  out  of  20,000  D.  for  the  use  of  winged- 
gudgeons  which  they  have  had  in  their  mills  for  20  years,  every  one  pre- 
ferring to  pay  10  D.  unjustly  rather  than  be  dragged  into  a Federal 
court  1,  2,  or  300  miles  distant. 

I think  the  cornsheller  you  describe,  with  two  cylinders,  is  exactly  the 
one  made  in  a neighboring  county,  where  they  are  sold  at  20  D.  I pro- 
pose to  take  some  opportunity  of  seeing  how  it  performs.  The  reason 
of  the  derangement  of  machines  with  wooden  cylinders  of  any  length  is 
the  springing  of  the  timber,  to  which  white  oak  has  a peculiar  disposition. 
For  that  reason  we  prefer  pine  as  the  least  apt  to  spring.  You  once  told 
me  of  what  wood  you  made  the  bars  of  the  pen-frame  in  the  polygraph, 
as  springing  less  than  any  other  wood;  & I have  often  vrished  to  recollect 
it,  but  cannot.  We  give  up  here  the  cleaning  of  clover  seed,  because  it 
comes  up  so  much  more  certainly  when  sown  in  the  husk;  7 bushels  of 
which  is  more  easily  obtained  for  the  acre  than  the  3 pints  of  clean  seed 
which  the  sowing-box  requires.  We  use  the  machine  you  describe  for 
crushing  corn-cobs,  & for  which  Oliver  Evans  has  obtained  a patent, 
altho’  to  my  knolege  the  same  machine  has  been  made  by  a smith  in 
George  town  these  16  years  for  crushing  plaister,  and  he  made  one  for 
me  12  years  ago,  long  before  Evan’s  patent.  The  only  difference  is  that 
he  Axes  his  horizontally,  and  Evans  vertically.  Yet  I chose  to  pay 
Evans’s  patent  price  for  one  rather  than  be  involved  in  a law  suit  of  2 
or  300  D.  cost.  We  are  now  afraid  to  use  our  ploughs,  every  part  of 


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546 


C181S 


which  has  been  patented,  although  used  ever  since  the  fabulous  days  of 
Ceres.  On  the  subject  of  the  Spinning  Jenny,  which  I so  much  prefer 
to  the  Arkwright  machines,  for  simplicity,  ease  of  repair,  cheapness  of 
material  and  work,  your  neighbor,  D'.  Allison,  of  Burlington,  has  made 
a beautiful  improvement  by  a very  simple  addition  for  the  preparatory 
operation  of  roving.  These  arc  much  the  best  machines  for  family  & 
country  use.  For  fulling  in  our  families  we  use  the  simplest  thing  in  the 
world.  We  make  a bench  of  the  widest  plank  we  can  get,  say  half  a 
yard  wide  at  least,  of  thick  & heavy  stuff.  We  cut  notches  cross  wise 
of  that  2 i.  long.  & i i.  deep ; the  perpendicular  side  of  the  notch  front- 
ing the  middle  one  from  both  ends;  on  that  we  lay  a 4 i.  board,  6 f. 
long,  with  a pin  for  a handle  in  each  end,  and  notched  as  the  under  one. 
A board  is  nailed  on  each  side  of  the  under  one,  to  keep  the  upper  in 
place  as  it  is  shoved  backwards  & forwards,  and  the  cloth,  properly 
moistened,  is  laid  between  them.  2 hands  full  20  yards  in  two  hours. 
[Jefferson  drew  a picture  of  the  machine  he  describes.] 

Our  threshing  machines  are  universally  in  England  fixed  with  Dutch 
fans  for  winnowing,  but  not  with  us,  because  we  thresh  immediately 
after  harvest,  to  prevent  weavil,  and  were  our  grain  then  laid  up  in  bulk 
without  the  chaff  in  it,  it  would  heat  & rot.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  C 1 : 233-23S-) 


(Jefferson  to  William  P.  Newby.) 

Monticello  June  21.  15. 

I have  found  it  necessary  to  put  my  affairs  tmder  the  direction  of  my 
grandson  Jefferson  Randedph,  my  activity  being  too  much  declined  to 
take  care  of  them  myself.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Joel  Yancey.) 

Monticello  July  18.  15. 

...  I am  glad  you  approve  my  plan  of  culture,  because  it  will  be  the 
more  agreeable  to  you  to  pursue  it.  it's  general  effect  is  this,  one  third 
of  the  farm  (a  fields  out  of  6.)  is  in  wheat  for  market  & profit,  one 
sixth  (that  is  one  held)  is  in  com  for  bread  for  the  laborers,  the  re- 
maining half  of  the  farm,  that  is  to  say,  one  held  in  peas  or  oats,  one 
held  in  clover  for  cutting,  and  one  in  clover  for  pasture,  is  for  the 
sustenance  of  the  stock  of  the  farm,  aided  by  8.  acres  of  pumpkins  at 
each  place,  which  feeds  every  thing  two  months  in  the  year  & fattens  the 
pork,  and  as  much  timothy  as  our  meadow  ground  can  be  made  to  yield, 
whidi  is  very  important  when  the  clover  crop  fails  from  drought,  a fre- 
quent occurrence,  on  this  plan  I know  it  to  be  unnecessary  that  a 
single  grain  of  corn  should  ever  be  given  to  any  animal,  unless  a little 
perhaps  to  hnish  the  fattening  pork;  but  even  for  (hat  peas  are  as  good, 
of  these  you  may  certainly  count  on  10.  bushels  to  the  acre,  which  on 
160.  acres  will  be  i6oq.  bushels,  or  320.  barrels,  equal  to  that  mudh 
com,  and  all  falTfallowing  will  be  saved,  to  the  prodiice  for  market 
my  plan  addls  80  M tobacco  hills  at  each  place,  as  much  of  it  on  the  first 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


547 


1815] 

year’s  land  as  can  be  cleared,  if  this  plan  be  fully  executed,  I will  most 
gladly  take  all  risk  of  the  result  to  myself,  and  my  own  blame.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  P.  A.  Guestier.) 

Monticello  July  23.  15. 

I have  to  acknolege  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  la*"  and  to  thank 
you  for  your  attention  to  the  box  of  seeds,  this  is  an  annual  present 
from  the  National  Garden  of  France.  I will  pray  you  therefore  to  for- 
ward it  to  mf  Bernard  M“.Mahon,  gardener  of  Philadelphia.  . . . ( Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  McMahon.) 

Monticello  July  23.  1815. 

With  the  return  of  peace,  my  old  friend  Thouin  returns  to  a recollec- 
tion of  me  in  his  annual  presents  of  seeds,  a box  of  them  is  just  ar- 
rived at  Baltimore  to  the  care  of  mr  P.  A.  Guestier  merchant  of  that 
place.  I have  desired  him  to  forward  it  to  you,  and  if  possible  by  some 
stage  passenger  who  will  take  charge  of  it  to  Philadelphia.  I have  taken 
on  myself  all  charges  to  Baltimore.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Captain  Christopher  Hudson.) 

Monticello  Aug.  9.  15. 

...  1 am  enabled  to  ask  your  acceptance  of  them  [hedge  shears], 
you  will  perceive  by  their  having  never  been  used  that  I have  no  em- 
ployment for  them.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Poplar  Forest  Aug.  31.  15. 

...  we  are  suffering  from  drought  terribly  at  this  place,  half  a 
crop  of  wheat,  and  tobacco,  and  two  thirds  a crop  of  corn  are  the  most 
we  can  expect.  Cate,  with  good  aid,  is  busy  drying  peaches  for  you. 
we  abound  in  the  luxury  of  the  peach,  their  being  as  ffne  here  now  as 
used  to  have  in  Albemarle  30  years  ago,  and  indeed  as  fine  as  I ever  saw 
anywhere.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M,  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Charles  Clay.) 

Poplar  Forest  Nov.  18,  15. 

. . . and  tomorrow,  weather  permitting,  will  pay  you  a morning  visit, 
in  the  meantime  I send  you  a note  of  the  result  of  my^  ten  days  labor  and 
some  Otaheite  or  Paper  Mulberries,  valuable  for  the'  regularity  of  their 
form,  velvet  leaf  & for  being  fruitless,  they  are  charming  near  a porch 
for  densely  shading  it.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 


Jefpbrson’s  Garden  Book 


548 


[181S 


(Charles  Clay  to  Jefferson.) 

[Bedford  County,  Virginia,]  Dec.  5.  15. 

As  you  appeared  pleased  with  the  sample  of  Potatoes  the  servant 
brought  the  Other  Day  M".  Clay  by  Bob  sends  you  a few  more  for 
seed,  She  says  her  mode  of  Cultivating  them  in  the  Garden,  is  to  plant 
a fine  large  single  pototoe,  uncut  in  a hill,  that  by  doing  so,  she  has  had 
the  finest  large  potatoes  & greatest  in  Number,  of  all  the  Modes  she  has 
tryed,  that  by  cuting,  she  thinks  the  Vigor  of  the  plant  b lessened,  the 
produce  smaller  in  size  & fewer  in  Number,  that  by  planting  the  Small 
Ones  the  produce  is  similar  to  that  from  Cutings,  & constantly  decline 
from  year  to  year  if  persisted  in,  until  a fine  potatoe  is  not  to  be  ex- 
pected. please  accept  our  friendly  Salutations.  {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Mrs.  Henry  Dearborn  to  Jefferson.) 

Boston  December  16,  1815. 

Mrs.  Dearborn’s  respectful  compliments  to  Mr,  Jefferson,  recollect- 
ing his  wish  to  have  some  of  the  seed  of  the  winter  squash  She  requested 
her  son  Brigadier  General  Dearborn  to  procure  some  for  him. — ^he  has 
put  up  some  of  several  sorts  which  he  says  are  very  good.  Mrs.  D.  hopes 
Mr.  Jefferson  will  be  successful  in  raising  them,  and  that  they  will  be 
agreeable  to  him.  The  winter  squash  must  not  he  gathered  until  they 
are  ripe.  , . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M,  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  David.) 

Monticello  Dec.  25.  15. 

A long  absence  from  home  and  but  a late  return  to  it  must  apologize 
for  the  delay  in  acknoleging  the  reciept  of  your  letter  of  Nov.  26.  on 
the  subject  of  the  vine  & wine,  in  the  earlier  part  of  my  life  I have 
been  ardent  for  the  introduction  of  new  objects  of  culture  suited  to  our 
climate,  but  at  the  age  of  72.  it  is  too  late.  I must  leave  it  to  younger 
persons  who  have  enough  of  life  left  to  pursue  the  object  and  enjoy  it’s 
attainment  . • . There  is  in  our  woods  a native  grape  which  of  my  own 
knolege  produces  a wine  so  nearly  of  the  quality  of  the  Caumartin  of 
Burgundy,  that  I have  seen  at  my  own  table  a large  company  acknolege 
they  could  not  distinguish  between  them.  I do  not  know  myself  how 
this  particular  grape  could  be  known  in  our  woods,  altho*  I believe  it 
abounds;  but  there  is  a gentleman  on  Potomak  who  cultivates  it.  this 
may  be  worth  your  attention,  should  you  think  it  worth  while  to  ex- 
amine the  aptitude  of  this  part  of  the  country  for  the  wine,  I shall  be 
very  happy  to  receive  you  at  Monticello.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

From  the  Farm  Book  181$: 

1815.  7.  bushdis  of  cow  peas  plant  40.  acres  in  drills  3^  f.  apart.  Pop. 

For, 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


i8is] 


549 


1815.  July.  1.  of  the  chain  inclosing  the  semi-oval  level  in  front  of 
the  house  182,  f.  weighs  90  lbs. 


From  the  Account  Book  iSog-iSzo: 

Aug.  2.  plants  2.  D. 

Planting  Memorandum  for  Poplar  Forest,  1815 ; 

1815.  Nov.  2.  planted  64.  paper  mulberries  in  the  nursery. 

25.  planted  5.  Calycanthuses  on  each  Mound.  4.  Monti- 
cello  aspens  at  the  N.  foot  of  the  W.  Mound  & 3 d°.  at 
the  N.  foot  of  the  E.  Mound. 

19  paper  mulberries  in  a clump  between  the  W. 
Cloacina  & fence  & 19  d^  in  a clump  between  the  E. 
Cloacina  and  fence.  {Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 


i8i6 


Kalendar.  1816  ‘ 

where 

when 

come  to 
table 

Miscellanies. 

Celery  beds. 

Feb.  3. 

[Pcb.  3. 

May  22. 

Mar.  I.  up.  note,  no 
rain  from  Apr.  6.  to 
May  II.  6 weeks 

Feb.  3. 

plant  beds. . 
d" 

Feb.  7. 

10. 

. . . . 16, 

May  22. 

Mar.  I.  up. 

radish;  scarlet,  mrs  B.'. . . 

) 

a7. 

^rout  k&lc 

Brussels  sprouts 

Celery. . 

plant  beds.. . 

Sprout  kale 

d“. 

Frame  peas 

Border  I-V 

Mar.  I. 

May  23. 

Mar.  16.  up. 

lettuce  ‘white 

Radishes  scarlet,  mri  B. . 
Salsafia 

D.E.F.G.3... 
Sq.  X. 

Sq.  I 

5- 

Tomatas 

Peas.  Hotspur 

6, 

May  8.  blossom 

May  9.  blossom 

Tune  I.  pod 
19.  blossom 

June  5.  pod. 

Sq.II 

June  13. 

Ill 

V 

June  9. 

26.  blossom. 

IX 

XIII 

XIV.  2.. 

1*7- 

XII.  2... 

Apr.  4« 

VIII, 

Leadmans, 

IV. 

8. 

Ju 

May  31,  blossom 

June  14.  pod,  gone 
July  14. 

Lama  beans. 

long  Haricots. 

July  25. 

Aug.  31.  last  dish  of 
long  haricots. 

Bennt 

Jerusal.  Artichoke. ...... 

parsnips 

. . , . . 10. 

grey  Snaps  

VI 

VII.. 

d®. 

Endive.  - 

Dutch  brown. 

S{unack  winter 

Bess  anaps 

Sep.  j. 

Dutch  brawn 

Spinach  winter 

CTabbage  Battersea. .... 

Aug.  13. 

transplanted  Sept,  16. 

550 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1816] 


551 


1816,^  Mar.  18.  replanted  with  Aaparaeua  seed  the  Western  half  of  the  old  Asparagus 
bed  under  the  wall. 

May  10.  peas  at  mf  Divers,  they  were  sown  Feb.  2. 


^ 1816.  One  may  best  get  a glimpse  into  Jefferson’s  per- 
sonal life  and  the  happenings  at  Monticello  and  Poplar  Forest 
from  portions  of  three  letters  written  during  the  year.  On 
January  9,  Jefferson  wrote  from  Monticello  to  his  old  friend 
Mr.  Charles  Thomson : 

I retain  good  health,  am  rather  feeble  to  walk  much,  but  ride  with 
ease,  passing  two  or  three  hours  a day  on  horseback,  and  every  three  or 
four  months  taking  in  a carriage  a journey  of  ninety  miles  to  a distant 
possession,  where  I pass  a good  deal  of  my  time.  My  eyes  need  the  aid 
of  glasses  by  night,  and  with  small  print  in  the  day  ^so ; my  hearing  is 
not  quite  so  sensible  as  it  used  to  be ; no  tooth  shaking  yet,  but  shivering 
and  shrinking  in  body  from  the  cold  we  now  experience,  my  thermom- 
eter having  been  as  low  as  12°  this  morning.  My  greatest  oppression  is 
a correspondence  afflictingly  laborious,  the  extent  of  which  I have  been 
long  endeavoring  to  curtail.  This  keeps  me  at  the  drudgery  of  the 
writing-table  all  the  prime  hours  of  the  day,  leaving  for  the  gratification 
of  my  appetite  for  reading,  only  what  I can  steal  from  the  hours  of  sleep. 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  14:  386-387.) 

Writing  to  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  J.  W.  Eppes,  on  March  30, 
he  showed  again  his  great  affection  for  Francis  Eppes,  his 
grandson,  and  expressed  the  desire  to  share  in  the  expense  of 
his  education; 

I am  almost  afraid  to  propose  to  you  to  yield  to  me  the  expense  and 
direction  of  his  education.  Yet  I think  I could  have  it  conducted  to  his 
advantage.  Certainly  no  expense  which  could  be  useful  to  him,  and  no 
attention  on  my  part  would  be  spared;  and  he  could  visit  you  at  such 
times  as  you  should  wish.  It  you  say  yea  to  this  proposition,  he  might 
come  on  to  me  at  Poplar  Forest,  for  which  place  I shall  set  out  about  the 
6th  of  April,  and  shall  be  there  about  the  2ist ; and  could  I hear  from 
you  soon  after  my  arrival  there,  I could  be  taking  preparatory  steps  for 
,his  reception  and  the  course  to  be  pursued.  All  this  is  submitted  to 
your  good  pleasure.  Patsy,  supposing  Mrs.  Eppes  to  have  an  attach- 
ment to  flowers,  sends  her  a collection  of  seeds.  . . . Your  servant  asks 
for  the  large  lima  bean  we  got  from  W“.  Hylton  from  Jamaica,  it  has 
dwindled  down  to  a very  poor  one,  not  worth  sending  if  we  had  it  to 
spare,  which  we  have  not.  (Randall,  Jefferson  3:  433>) 

Mr.  Eppes  consented  to  Jefferson’s  taking  charge  of  Fran- 
cis’s education.  Jefferson  then  wrote  to  Mr.  Eppes ; 


552 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1816 

I am  sensible,  my  dear  sir,  of  the  delicacy  of  your  sentiments  on  the 
subject  of  expense.  I am  indeed  an  unskilful  manager  of  my  farms, 
and  sensible  of  this  from  its  effects,  I have  committed  them  to  better 
hands  [his  grandson,  Thomas  Jefferson  Randolph],  of  whose  care  and 
skill  I have  satisfactory  knowl^ge,  and  to  whom  I have  ceded  the  en- 
tire direction.  This  is  all  that  is  necessary  to  make  them  adequate  to  all 
my  wants,  and  to  place  me  at  entire  ease.  (Randall,  Jefferson  3:  433.) 

His  grandson  continued  to  look  after  Jefferson’s  affairs  until 
his  death. 

A portion  of  a letter  from  Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Trist 
gives  the  gossipy  news  of  the  family.  He  wrote  from  Poplar 
Forest  on  April  28 : 

I am  here,  my  dear  Madam,  alive  and  well,  and,  notwithstanding  the 
murderous  histories  of  the  winter,  1 have  not  had  an  hour’s  sickness  for 
a twelvemonth  past.  I feel  myself  indebted  to  the  fable,  however,  for 
the  friendly  concern  expressed  in  your  letter,  which  1 received  in  good 
health,  by  my  fireside  at  Monticello.  These  stories  will  come  true  one 
of  these  days,  and  poor  printer  Davies  need  only  reserve  awhile  the  chap- 
ter of  commiserations  he  had  the  labor  to  compose,  and  the  mortification 
to  recall,  after  striking  off  some  sheets  announcing  to  his  readers  the 
happy  riddance.  But,  all  joking  apart  I am  well,  and  left  all  well  a 
fortnight  ago  at  Monticello,  to  which  I shall  return  in  two  or  three 
days.  . . . Jefferson  is  gone  to  Richmond  to  bring  home  my  new  great- 
grand-daughter.  Your  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Divers,  are  habitually 
in  poor  health;  well  enough  only  to  receive  visits,  but  not  to  return 
them;  and  this,  I think,  is  all  our  small  news  which  can  interest  you. 
(Randolph,  Jefferson:  362-363.) 

The  year  1816,  in  the  United  States,  is  known  among 
meteorologists  as  the  ’’year  without  a summer.”  (See  ap- 
pendix I.)  The  growing  season  throughout  the  States  was 
so  dry  and  cold  that  crops  failed  to  mature,  gardens  were 
poor,  and  fruit  was  ruined.  Jefferson  wrote  to  Mr.  Albert 
Gallatin  on  September  8 : 

We  have  had  the  most  extraordinary  year  of  drought  and  cold  ever 
known  in  the  history  of  America.  In  June,  instead  of  3i  inches,  our 
average  of  rain  for  that  month,  we  only  had  4 of  an  inch;  in  August,  in- 
stead of  9)  inches  our  average,  we  had  only  ^ of  an  inch;  and  still  it 
continues.  The  summer,  too,  has  been  as  cold  as  a moderate  winter. 
In  every  State  north  of  diis  there  has  been  frost  in  every  month  of  the 
year;  in  this  State  we  have  had  none  in  June  and  July,  but  Aose  of 
August  killed  much  corn  over  the  mountains.  The  crop  of  corn 
through  the  Atlantic  States  will  probably  be  less  than  one-third  of  an 
ordinary  one,  that  of  tobacco  still  less,  and  of  mean  quality.  The  crop 
of  wheat  was  middling  in  quantity,  but  excellent  in  quality.  But  every 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


553 


i8i6] 

species  of  bread  grain  taken  together  will  not  be  sufficient  for  the  sub- 
sistence of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  exportation  of  flour,  already  begun 
by  the  indebted  and  the  improvident,  to  whatsoever  degree  it  may  be 
carried,  will  be  exactly  so  much  taken  from  the  mouths  of  our  citizens. 

. . . (Ford,  Jefferson  I9:  37—38.) 

It  has  already  been  pointed  out  that  Jefferson  had  turned 
over  to  his  grandson  the  management  of  the  farms  and  gar- 
dens. His  “infirmities,”  as  he  called  them,  were  gradually 
slowing  up  his  activities  in  the  fields.  His  supreme  interest 
now  lay  in  making  plans  for  the  new  university  which  he  hoped 
to  induce  the  State  to  establish.  And  Poplar  Forest  was  de- 
manding much  of  his  attention.  The  Garden  Book  for  the 
year,  as  well  as  all  the  remaining  years  in  which  he  kept  a 
record  in  the  Garden  Book,  shows  chiefly  the  calendar  of 
planting  for  the  year.  There  were  no  new  articles  added  to 
the  long  list  of  vegetables  of  the  preceding  years. 

Jefferson  was  at  Poplar  Forest  four  times  during  the  year. 
There  appears  to  have  been  much  activity  in  the  flower  gar- 
dens at  that  place,  for  on  his  late  fall  visit  Jefferson  wrote  to 
Mrs.  Randolph  to  send  to  him  bulbs  and  other  plants  from 
the  stock  at  Monticello.  (See  letters,  Jefferson  to  Martha 
Randolph,  November  10,  and  Martha  Randolph  to  Jefferson, 
November  20,  1816.) 

On  March  19  Jefferson  lost  his  old  and  devoted  friend, 
Philip  Mazzei.  Through  his  gifts  of  plants  and  seeds 
Monticello  had  been  abundantly  enriched. 

* Mrs.  Ann  Cary  (Randolph)  Bankhead  was  the  eldest 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Mann  Randolph,  and 
Jefferson’s  granddaughter.  She  was  born  in  January,  1791, 
and  died  in  February,  1826.  She  was  married  to  Charles  L. 
Bankhead. 

“ Mrs.  Bankhead. 

* This  entry  was  removed  from  page  56  of  the  Garden  Book 
and  placed  here  in  proper  chronological  sequence. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  i8i6 

(Jefferson  to  J.  Correa  da  Serra.) 

Monticello,  January  1,  1816. 

...  I am  ashamed  to  ask  whether  your  observations  or  information 
as  to  the  cisterns  of  Charlestown  can  facilitate  the  perfecting  of  those  I 
have  constructed  because  by  some  accident  which  I cannot  ascertain,  I 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [i8i6 

lost  the  paper  you  were  so  kind  as  to  give  me  at  Dowthwaites.  . . , 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jeffetson  19:  226.) 

(David  Gelston  to  Jefferson.) 

New  York,  Jan.  8,  i8i6. 

I have  received  a letter  from  Mr.  Baker,  consul  at  Tarragona,  with 
a box  for  you  said  to  contain  “flower  garden  seed" — since  no  use  can  be 
made  of  them  till  spring,  I shall  wait  your  instructions.  {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

[In  a reply  to  the  above  letter  Jefferson  suggests  that  the  seeds  be 
given  to  the  Botanical  Garden  in  New  York.] 

(Jefferson  to  John  David.) 

Alonticello  Jan.  13.  16. 

Your  favor  of  Jan.  i . is  received,  you  intimate  in  that  a thought  of 
going  to  the  Potomac  to  examine  the  vines  I mentioned  to  you.  it  was 
a maj^  Adlam  [Adlum]  near  the  mouth  of  that  river  who  sent  me  the 
wine,  made  from  his  own  vineyard,  but  this  was  7.  or  8.  years  ago, 
and  whether  he  still  pursues  the  culture  or  is  even  still  living  I do  not 
know.  I should  be  sorry  you  should  take  such  a journey  on  such  an  un- 
certainty. I will  write  to  him  by  the  next  mail,  and  will  even  ask  him 
to  send  me  some  cuttings  of  the  vines, 

I have  heard  with  great  pleasure  that  you  have  had  some  conversa- 
tion with  Gen’.  Cocke  of  the  county  adjoining  this  on  the  subject  of  his 
undertaking  a vineyard  under  your  direction,  there  is  no  person  in  the 
U.  S.  in  whose  success  I should  have  so  much  confidence,  he  is  rich, 
liberal,  patriotic,  judicious  & persevering.  I understand  however  that 
all  his  arrangements  for  the  present  year  being  made,  he  cannot  begin  on 
the  vineyard  till  the  next.  . . . Col®.  Monroe,  our  Secretary  of  State, 
whose  seat  is  within  2 or  3 miles  of  me,  has  a fine  collection  of  vines 
which  he  had  selected  & brought  with  him  from  France  with  a view  to 
the  making  wine,  perhaps  that  might  furnish  something  for  you.  you 
will  here  too  be  within  a few  hours  ride  of  Gen’.  Cocke,  should  any  com- 
munications with  him  be  desired.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  Adlum.) 

Monticello  Jan.  13.  16. 

While  I lived  in  Washington  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me  2.  bottles 
of  wine  made  by  yourself,  the  one  from  currans,  the  other  from  a native 
grape, ^ called  with  you  a fox-grape,  discovered  by  mf  Penn’s  gardener, 
the  wine  of  this  was  as  good  as  the  best  Burgundy  and  resembling  it.  in 
1810,  you  added  the  great  favor  of  sending  me  many  cuttings,  these 
were  committed  to  the  stage  Mar.  13.  on  the  27”*.  of  that  month  I set 
out  on  a journey,  the  cuttings  arrived  at  our  post  office  a day  or  two 
after,  dt  were  detained  there  till  my  return,  they  were  received  Apr, 
J9.  and  immediately  planted,  but  having  been  6.  weoks  in  a dry  situa- 
tion not  a single  one  lived,  disheartened  by  this  failure  and  not  having 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


555 


i8i6] 

any  person  skilled  in  the  culture,  I never  troubled  you  again  on  the  sub- 
ject. but  I have  now  an  opportunity  of  renewing  the  trial  under  a per- 
son brought  up  to  the  culture  of  the  vine  & making  wine  from  his  na- 
tivity. am  I too  unreasonable  in  asking  once  more  a few  cuttings  of 
the  same  vine  ? I am  so  convinced  that  our  first  success  will  be  from  a 
native  grape,  that  I would  try  no  other,  a few  cuttings,  as  short  as  you 
think  will  do,  put  into  a light  box,  & mixed  well  with  wet  moss,  if  ad- 
dressed to  me  by  the  stage  to  the  care  of  mf  William  F.  Gray  in 
Fredericks*’®,  will  be  forwarded  by  him  to  Milton  without  delay,  where 
I shall  be  on  the  watch  for  them.  I must  find  my  apology  in  this  re- 
peated trouble  in  your  own  patriotic  dispositions  to  promote  an  useful 
culture.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

Monticello  Jan.  i6.  i6. 

...  I have  an  opportunity  of  getting  some  vines  planted  next  month 
under  the  direction  of  mr  David,  brought  up  lo  the  business  from  his 
infancy,  will  you  permit  me  to  take  the  trimmings  of  your  vines  such 
I mean  as  ought  to  be  taken  from  them  next  month,  it  shall  be  done 
by  him  so  as  to  ensure  no  injury  to  them.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Henry  Dearborn.) 

Monticello  Jan.  27.  16. 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  compliments  to  mre  Dearborn  and  his 
thanks  for  the  very  acceptable  seeds  she  has  been  so  kind  as  to  send  him 
and  which  will  occupy  his  care  & attention  in  the  season  now  beginning 
to  invite  the  labors  of  the  garden.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Joel  Yancy.) 

Monticello  Feb.  20.  16. 

...  I have  some  thought  of  sending  up  a waggon  [to  Poplar  Forest\ 
about  the  close  of  the  month  with  some  trees  & necessaries  for  me.  , . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(James  Barbour  to  Jefferson.) 

Barboursvtlle,  March  4,  1816. 

[Mr.  Barbour  requests  Jefferson  to  send  him  anything  he  can  spare 
of  plants.]  Being  anxious  to  add  to  my  new  establishment  whatever  is 
rare  or  desirable  of  the  fruit,  shrub,  or  tree  kind.  {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  James  Barbour.) 

Monticello  Mar.  5.  16. 

If  I knew  what  you  possessed,  or  what  you  particularly  wished,  my 
attention  more  especially  applied  to  the  latter  might  better  have  fulfilled 


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them,  sending  at  random  I fear  I may  add  little  to  your  actual  pos- 
sessions. but  I do  the  best  I can  by  sending  those  things  which  are  not 
absolutely  possessed  by  every  body. 

for  the  garden.  Sprout  Kale,  which  no  body  in  the  U.  S.  has  but 
those  to  whom  I have  given  it.  sow  & transplant  as  cabbage,  let  it 
stand  out  all  winter,  it  needs  no  protection,  in  the  beginning  of  De- 
cember it  begins  to  furnish  sprouts  Sc  will  give  3 crops  of  them  before 
spring,  a very  delicate  green. 

long  haricots  a species  of  bean  or  snap  brought  me  from  Georgia  by 
Gen'.  Sumpter,  plant  in  rows  3.  f.  apart,  & 12  I.  asunder  in  the  row. 
stick  the  plants  with  flat  prongy  bushes,  which  will  let  you  go_between 
the  rows,  early  in  July  it  gives  beans  from  2.  to  6.  f.  long  acedg  to  the 
ground,  & continues  till  frost,  dress  them  as  snaps  or  in  all  the  ways 
of  asparagus,  they  are  cut  into  lengths. 

Trees  & Shrubs.  2.  pods  of  Kentucky  locust. 

seeds  of  Spanish  broom,  they  come  up  best  in  cart-ruts  and  bot- 
toms of  gullies. 

lilac. 

Althaea. 

Balsam  poplar,  a branch  for  cuttings. 

Calycanthus. 

the  Monticello  Aspen,  entirely  peculiar  & superior  to  all  others. 

Paper  mulberry  from  Otaheite.  the  most  beautiful  & best  shading 

tree  to  be  near  the  house,  entirely  clean,  bearing  no  fruit,  scarcely 

yet  known  in  America. 

My  collection  of  fruits  went,  to  entire  decay  in  my  absence  and  has  not 
been  renewed,  so  that  it  is  in  my  power  to  send  you  but  little  in  that 
way.  I send  however  cuttings  of  the  Carnation  cherry  so  superior  to 
all  others  that  no  other  deserves  the  name  of  cherry:  and  cuttings  of  the 
Taliafferro  apple,  the  best  cyder  apple  existing,  discovered  by  old  Maj'. 
Taliaferro  near  Williamsburg,  wishing  you  good  success  with  them  I 
salute  you  with  esteemjSt  respect.  . . . M".  Randolph  adds  a collection 
of  flower  seeds  for  mrs  Barber  with  her  respects.  (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S,) 

(Isaac  Coles  to  Jefierson.) 

Enniscorthy  Mar:  9*"  1816. 

Permit  me  to  return  you  my  best  thanks  for  the  Paper  Mulberry, 
which  you  were  kind  enough  to  send  me.  They  have  proven  more  ac- 
ceptable to  my  friends  than  to  myself,  M".  Randolph  having  been  good 
enough  to  let  me  have  a dozen  or  fifteen,  which  my  servant  brought  me 
during  your  last  visit  to  Bedford, 

My  brother  M'.  Walter  Coles  sends  eight  Lemon  Peaches,  which  will 
prove  a great  treasure  if  they  can  be  defended  against  the  attacks  of  the 
worms.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C) 


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(JefiEerson  to  Joel  Yancey.) 

Monticello  Mar.  15.  16. 

...  I send  also  some  plants  which  I pray  you  to  have  set  out  immedi- 
ately in  the  nursery  behind  the  old  stable,  in  a rich  part.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Levin  Gale  to  Jefferson.) 

Chesapeake  M**.  March  30*'*.  1816. 

I received  sometime  ago  a letter  from  Major  John  Adlum  near  George 
Town  D.  C.  requesting  me  to  forward  you  some  cuttings  of  a particular 
grape  which  was  originally  got  from  him.  The  same  day  this  goes  by 
the  mail  there  will  be  put  in  the  stage  a box  containing  150  cuttings  of 
the  kind  mentioned  Directed  to  you  to  the  Care  of  M^  W“.  F.  Gray 
Fredericksburgh  Virginia.  I have  to  apologize  for  not  complying  sooner 
with  his  request  but  being  from  home  at  the  time  his  letter  reached  this 
together  with  other  circumstances  prevented  attending  to  his  request 
with  alacrity  I could  have  wished.  Should  you  wish  more  cuttings  next 
year  shall  be  happy  to  forward  them  and  regret  that  our  vines  from 
neglect  furnished  so  few.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Levin  Gale.) 

Monticello  May  7.  16. 

Your  favor  of  Mar.  30.  came  during  an  absence  from  home  of  con- 
siderable length,  and  the  box  of  vine  cuttings  arrived  soon  after,  in  excel- 
lent order,  and  were  immediately  planted.  I hope  they  will  do  well,  as, 
judging  from  a sample  of  wine  made  from  this  grape  and  sent  to  me 
formerly  by  Maj'.  Adlam  [Adlum],  I expect  to  be  gratified  with  the 
great  desideratum  of  making  at  home  a good  wine,  his  was  certainly 
equal  to  the  best  Burgundy  I have  ever  seen,  and  they  were  tried  to- 
gether at  the  same  time,  the  grape  too,  being  native,  is  therefore  prefer- 
able to  anyone  yet  to  be  imported,  acclimated,  and  tried  with  us.  Ac- 
cept my  thanks  for  your  kind  attention  to  this  object.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  _S.) 

(Jefferson  to  David  B.  Warden.) 

Monticello  May  17.  16. 

...  the  spring  has  been  unusually  dry  and  cold,  our  average  morn- 
ing cold  for  the  month  of  May  in  odier  years  has  been  63®.  of  Faren- 
heit.  in  the  present  month  it  has  been  to  this  day  an  average  of  S3“»  and 
one  morning  as  low  as  43®.  repeated  frosts  have  killed  the  early  fruits 
and  the  crops  of  tobacco  and  wheat  will  be  poor,  about  the  middle  of 
April  they  had  at  Quebec  snow  a foot  deep.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
Maryland  Historical  Society.) 


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(Joseph  C.  Cabell  to  Jefferson.) 

Warminster,  July  4th,  1816. 

I saw  Gen.  Cocke  on  his  way  to  Norfolk,  early  in  June,  and  had  a 
conversation  with  him  on  the  subject  of  hedges;  in  the  course  of  which 
he  informed  me  that  you  were  under  the  impression  that  Maine’s  method 
of  preparing  haws,  so  as  to  make  them  vegetate  quickly,  had  died  with 
him.  It  affords  me  pleasure  to  furnish  you  with  it,  in  an  extract  of  a 
letter  written  by  Maine  to  Mr.  James  Henderson  of  Williamsburg,  at 
the  time  that  the  latter  purchased  of  him  about  10,000  of  his  thorns.  I 
was  making  enquiries  m the  month  of  May,  with  the  view  of  collecting 
information  as  to  the  practicability  and  expediency  of  introducing  live 
fences  into  Virginia,  when  I accidentally  got  sight  of  Maine's  letter  to 
Mr.  Henderson.  It  differs  from  all  other  methods  I have  yet  heard  of ; 
and  is  more  expeditious,  by  one  winter,  than  that  of  McMahon,  who 
follows  the  English  and  Scotch  methods;  and  is  the  quickest  of  all  the 
processes  that  have  come  to  my  knowledge,  unless  it  be  that  of  immers- 
ing the  haws  in  fermenting  bran,  as  recommended  by  Sir  Isaac  Newton. 
I have  no  where  read  of  a successful  experiment  on  a large  scale,  of  the 
latter  method ; and  have  seen  it  merely  suggested  as  recommended  by  Sir 
Isaac  Newton.  Maine’s  method  is  simple,  quick,  and  well  suited  to 
common  piactice.  I should  be  glad  to  know  why  Maine  selected  the 
maple  leaf  thorn  in  preference  to  all  others.  It  does  not  appear  to  me 
to  be  as  vigorous  in  its  growth,  or  as  strong  in  its  appearance,  as  the 
laurel  leaf  thorn ; nor  do  I know  whether  it  is  to  be  found  in  this  part 
of  the  country.  In  crossing  Willis’  river,  on  my  way  up  the  country,  I 
found  a thorn  in  great  abundance,  which,  from  the  shape  of  the  leaf,  ap- 
peared to  be  the  maple  leaf  thorn.  There  may,  however,  be  other  varie- 
ties with  a leaf  of  the  same  shape.  You  planted  some  years  ago,  a hedge 
around  your  house,  of  Maine’s  thorn.  I should  be  happy,  before  I com- 
mence experiments  in  this  line,  to  know  your  impression  as  to  the  practi- 
cability of  making  hedges  of  real  use  in  this  country  where  hogs  are  suf- 
fered to  run  at  large;  and  as  to  the  relative  advantages  of  the  holly,  the 
cedar,  and  the  thorn,  for  that  purpose.  1 should  also  be  much  indebted 
to  you,  for  a reference  to  such  authors  as  treat  best  on  the  subject.  I 
have  consulted  Dobson’s  Encyclopedia,  Lord  Kaimes,  Maine’s  Pamphlet, 
and  the  articles  in  the  ordinary  books  on  agriculture.  I have  been  in- 
formed by  a young  gentleman  who  attended  the  lectures  of  the  Abbe 
Correa  in  Philadelphia,  that  the  Abbd  expressed  the  opinion,  that  hedges 
would  not  succeed  in  this  country,  because  we  have  not  the  right  kind  of 
plant,  and  that  the  proper  plant  when  imported,  degenerates.  The  same 
person  told  me  that  the  hedges  about  Wilmington,  in  Delaware,  seemed 
to  be  declining.  These  are  discouraging  circumstances.  Still  I have  a 
strong  desire  to  go  on.  I had  a cedar  hedge  of  about  two  miles  in 
length,  planted  on  the  Rappahannock  low  grounds,  some  years  ago.  It 
grew  handsomely,  and  promised  well.  But  during  the  war,  it  was  ne- 
glected and  beaten  down  by  stock  in  many  places,  A part  of  it,  about 
five  hundred  yards  in  length,  is  now  entire  and  very  beautiful.  But 
whether  it  will  be  ultimatdy  a secure  fence,  I am  unable  to  say.  As  an 


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object  of  ornament,  I think  it  remunerates  for  the  care  and  trouble  it 
has  cost ; and  it  is  of  real  use  in  breaking  the  force  of  the  violent  winds 
that  often  sweep  those  plains.  I propose  to  renew  it  where  it  is  defec- 
tive, and  to  extend  it  to  four  miles  in  length.  The  holly  is  scarsely  to 
be  found  in  the  woods  of  the  upper  country.  Still  I suppose  it  would 
succeed  with  the  aid  of  cultivation,  and  I am  about  trying  it  as  an  en- 
closure for  a yard  and  lots.  . . . (Early  History  of  the  University  of 
Virginia  as  contained  in  the  Letters  of  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Joseph  G. 
Cabell  (Richmond,  1856) : 62-64.  Hereafter  cited  as  Jefferson  and 
Cabbell,  Letters.) 

(Jefferson  to  Joseph  C.  Cabell.) 

Monticello,  July  13,  1816. 

I thank  you  for  Maine’s  recipe  for  preparing  the  haw,  inclosed  in 
your  favor  of  the  4th.  I really  thought  it  lost  with  him,  and  that  the 
publication  of  it  would  be  a public  benefit.  I do  not  know  that  his 
hedge  thorn  is  to  be  found  wild  but  in  the  neighborhood  of  Washington. 
He  chose  it,  I think,  for  its  beauty.  I have  extensive  hedges  of  it,  which 
I have  too  much  neglected.  The  parts  well  grown  appear  rather  weak 
against  cattle;  yet,  when  full  grown,  will  probably  be  sufficient.  He 
proposed  to  keep  out  hogs  by  a couple  of  rails  pass^  along  the  bottom, 
and,  I think,  it  will  be  sufficient:  and  that,  should  the  upper  part  prove 
too  weak  for  very  strong  cattle,  a pole  run  horizontally  through  will 
bind  them  together,  and  make  them  sufficient.  Col.  Randolph  thinks 
the  cockspur  hawthorn  (our  common  one)  would  be  preferable  as  being 
stronger.  My  grandson,  Jefferson  Randolph,  found  one  common,  about 
Willis’s  mountains,  which  he  thinks  eminently  preferable  to  all  others. 
The  Pyracanthus  which  I got  from  Maine  is  a beautiful  plant,  but  not 
fit  for  a hedge.  He  tried  the  honey  locust,  meaning  to  keep  it  down  by 
the  shears;  but  I thought  it  too  straggling.  The  holly  certainly  wiU 
not  do  with  us,  because  all  but  impossible  to  make  live  in  our  climate. 
I have  one  tree  44  years  old,  not  yet  taller  than  a hedge  should  be.  Of 
the  cedar  I have  no  experience,  but  of  the  difficulty  of  either  transplant- 
ing it  or  raising  it  from  the  berry.  On  the  whole,  I think  nothing  com- 
parable with  the  thorn,  and  that  they  may  be  made  to  answer  perfectly, 
with  the  aids  I have  mentioned.  . . . 

P.  S.  Col.  Randolph  tells  me  he  has  repeatedly  heard  Mr.  Correa  say 
that  our  cockspur  hawthorn  (crataegus  crux  galli)  was  the  best  for 
hedges  he  had  ever  met  with.  (Jefferson  and  Cabell,  Letters:  63-66.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  David  Hosack.) 

Monticello  July  13,  16. 

Uninformed  of  the  persons  particularly  connected  with  the  Botanical 
garden  of  N.  Y.  I hope  I shall  be  pardoned  for  this  addrep  to  yourself. 
I have  just  received  from  my  antient  friend  Thouin,  director  of  the 
King’s  garden  at  Paris  a packet  of  seeds  selected  by  him  as  foreign  to  the 
U.  S.  they  are  of  the  last  year’s  gathering,  but  he  informs  me  that  if 


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they  arrive  (as  they  have  done)  too  late  to  be  committed  to  the  earth 
this  year,  most  of  them  will  be  still  good  for  the  ensuing  year,  not  be- 
lieving I could  make  a better  use  of  them  than  by  presenting  them  to  the 
Botanical  garden  of  N.  York,  I have  taken  the  liberty  of  sending  the 
packet  to  your  address  by  mail,  and,  altho’  large,  I have  thought  the 
object  justified  my  franking  it.  I have  not  opened  the  packet  knowing 
I could  not  pack  them  so  well  again ; but  coming  from  Thouin  I am  sure 
they  are  worthy  the  acceptance  of  the  garden.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  John  Taylor.) 

Monticello,  July  16,  1816. 

Yours  of  the  loth  is  received,  and  I have  to  acknowledge  a copious 
supply  of  the  turnip  seed  requested.  Besides  taking  care  myself,  I shall 
endeavor  again  to  commit  it  to  the  depository  of  the  neighborhood,  gen- 
erally found  to  be  the  best  precaution  against  losing  a good  thing.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  15:  44.) 


(Joseph  C.  Cabell  to  Jefferson.) 

Edgewood,  4th  August,  1816. 

I bM  you  to  accept  my  sincere  thanks  for  your  favor  of  the  13th  inst. 

. . . The  information  you  give  me  on  the  subject  of  hedges  is  very  ac- 
ceptable ; it  will  exempt  me  from  the  mortification  of  failures  in  experi- 
ments that  extend  through  so  large  a portion  of  human  life.  I have 
about  half  a bushel  of  holly  seed  now  lying  in  my  garden,  undergoing 
the  process  of  preparation  for  the  seedbed ; but  since  the  receipt  of  your 
letter,  I have  determined  to  thrown  them  aside,  or  to  make  very  small 
use  of  them.  I shall  direct  my  future  attempts  in  this  line  towards  the 
thorn,  and  to  the  variety  you  recommend,  unless  I should  be  able  to 
procure  that  of  which  Mr.  Jefferson  Randolph  speaks  so  highly,  for 
which  purpose  I have  sent  him  the  enclosed  letter  of  enquiry.  I pre- 
sume he  alludes  to  a thorn  in  the  old  fields  about  Hendrick’s  tavern,  the 
strength  and  density  of  which  have  frequently  been  mentioned  to  me  by 
gentlemen  who  had  been  traveling  that  way.  It  is  not  certain,  although 
it  is  probable,  that  Maine’s  recipe  will  succeed  with  all  the  different 
thorns.  . . . (Jefferson  and  Cabell,  Letters;  67-68.) 

(John  Campbell  White  to  Jefferson.) 

Baltimore,  is***  Aug‘.  i8i6. 

Two  of  my  sons  travelling  in  England  through  the  favour  of  Sir  John 
Sinclair,  received  some  melon  seed,  of  two  species,  brought  from  Persia 
by  Sir  Gore  Resdy  (?],  it^has  a high  character.  I have  therefore  much 
pleasure  in  sending  a portion  of  it,  to  the  first  character  in  the  United 
States,  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  United  States  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture,) 


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(Jefferson  to  Leroy  & Bayard.) 

Monticello  Aug.  15.  16. 

. . . ray  resources  arc  those  of  a farmer,  depending  on  the  produce  of 
my  farm,  which  is  usually  sold  in  April  or  May.  . . . [ Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  John  Campbell  White.) 

Monticello,  Aug.  24.  16. 

Th : Jefferson  presents  his  salutations  and  respects  to  Mr.  White  with 
his  thanks  for  the  Persian  melon  seed  he  has  been  so  kind  as  to  send  him. 
he  will  endeavor  to  do  it  justice  by  his  attentions,  and  especially  to  dis- 
perse it  among  his  most  careful  acquaintances,  it  is  by  multiplying  the 
good  things  of  life  that  the  mass  of  human  happiness  is  increased,  and 
the  greatest  of  consolations  to  have  contributed  to  it.  . . . [Jefferson 
Papers,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.) 

(Jethro  Wood  to  Jefferson.) 

Aurora  10  Mo  ist  1816 

Friend  Thomas  Jefferson 

The  firm  of  which  I am  a partner  requests  thy  acceptance  of  a plough, 
as  a respectful  tribute  to  thy  Ingenuity  in  improving  that  important  In- 
strument. We  shall  feel  ourselves  amply  recompensed  by  thy  approba- 
tion; or,  additionally  obliged  by  any  suggestion  which  may  tend  to 
render  it  more  Complete. 

By  an  accident  occasioned  by  the  warping  of  the  wooden  patern  the 
edges  are  raised  J of  an  Inch  to  high.  The  plough  is  now  gone  for  New 
york  and  will  be  forwarded  to  thee  as  soon  as  possible.  . . . [Jefferson 
Papers,  Missouri  Historical  Society.) 


(Thomas  Appleton  to  Jefferson.) 

Lvpinella-Grass  seed 


Oct.  20.  16. 


The  Lupinella  grass  is  unquestionably,  the  most  prolific  & most  nu- 
tritous  known  in  Italy  and  preferred  by  horses,  oxen,  sheep  &c.  to  every 
other  species.  It  should  be  planted  in  grounds,  not  subject  to  inunda- 
tions, or  wet  soils — it  is  commonly  planted  here,  on  small-elevations.  It 
should  be  cut  with  a Sickle,  as  is  grain,  and  bound  in  small  bundles  of 
about  7.  [?]  each,  to  prevent  the  flowers  from  wasting;  and  a short  time 
before  they  are  perfectly  mature.  The  cattle  fed  on  this  hay  require  no 
oats  or  beans,  indeed,  it  should  be  given  with  moderation  to  horses  of 
luxury:  to  hard  laboring  horses,  it  may  be  freely  given. — In  addition  to 
this  qualities,  the  ground  in  which  it  has  been  planted,  thru  successive 
years,  on  the  fourth,  you  may  plant  wheat,  from  which  you  will  reap  a 
most  abundant  harvest,  without  the  aid  of  any  species  of  manure. — the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book. 


56a 


[1816 


leanest  grounds  by  this  cultivation,  becomes  rich  & fertile.  It  produces 
here  about  six  thousand  American  pounds  of  hay,  on  a field  which  would 
require  two  bushels  of  wheat.  {Jeffeison  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Poplar  Forest  Nov.  10.  16. 

We  are  all  well  here  my  dear  Martha,  and  thinking  of  our  return 
home  which  will  be  about  the  30“*.  or  peihaps  a day  or  two  sooner,  it 
is  necessary  therefore  that  the  boys  Johnny  & Randall  with  the  mules 
should  set  off  from  Monticello  on  the  19“.  or  ao^**.  to  take  the  cart  and 
baggage.  I must  pray  you  to  desire  mr  Bacon  to  let  them  have  a good 
mule  and  gecr  in  addition  to  Tulmatt  and  his.  tell  Wormley  also  to 
send  some  Calycanthus  plants  well  done  up  in  moss  and  straw,  and  about 
a bushel  of  Orchard  grass-seed  out  of  the  large  box  in  the  Greenhouse, 
would  it  be  possible  for  you  to  make  up  some  of  the  hardy  bulbous  roots 
of  flowers  as  to  come  safely  on  the  mule,  daffodils,  jonquils,  Narcis- 
suses, flags  de  lillies  of  different  kinds,  refuse  hyacinths  &c.  with  some  of 
the  small  bulbs  of  the  hanging  onion.  I think  if  wrapped  & sowed  up 
tight  in  two  balls,  one  to  come  in  each  end  of  a wallet  with  nothing  else 
in  it  to  bruise  them,  they  would  come  safe.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 


(Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello.  Nov.  20,  1816. 

We  received  your  letter  last  night  only,  and  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions for  the  boy’s  Journey  would  take  up  so  much  of  the  day  that  we 
determined  not  to  send  them  till  tomorrow  morning  21®*.  Wormley 
will  see  to  every  thing  but  the  bulbous  roots,  the  kinds  you  mention  are 
all  growing  at  present  and  could  not  be  moved  without  destroying  them 
but  I have  sent  you  a number  of  offsets  of  tulips  and  hyacinths  some 
blooming  roots  and  some  that  will  not  bloom  till  the  ensuing  year  but  I 
believe  all  of  the  finest  kinds,  they  were  intended  to  have  been  planted 
in  the  border  last  fall  but  were  kept  out  waiting  for  a bed  to  be  pre- 
pared for  them,  the  others  can  be  dug  up  at  the  proper  season  and 
planted  next  summer  or  fall.  . . . the  large  crown  imperial  root  is  for 
Mrs  Eppes,  if  you  go  that  way.  the  smaller  ones  are  not  blooming 
roots  yet,  but  will  be  in  a year  or  2.  the  tulips  & hyacinths  are  mixed 
but  Cornelia  knows  them  all.  . , . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

From  the  Account  Book  180^—1820: 

Apr.  8.  gave  Col®  Monroe’s  gardener  for  vines  i.  D.  [See  letter, 
Jefferson  to  Monroe,  January  16,  1816.] 

May  13,  p*.  portage  box  of  vines  i. 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


563 


1816] 

Planting  Memorandum  for  Poplar  Forest,  1816; 

1816.  Nov.  I.  planted  large  roses  of  diff^  kinds  in  the  oval  bed  in  the 
N.  front. 

dwarf  roses  in  the  N.  £.  oval.  Robinia  hispida  in  the 
N.  W.  d". 

Althaeas,  Gelder  roses,  lilacs,  calycanthus,  in  both 
mounds.  Privet  round  both  Necessaries. 

White  Jessamine  along  N,  W.  of  E.  oiEces. 

Azedaracs  opp.  4 angles  of  the  house.  Aug.  17.  5 
liv*. 

22.  planted  190.  poplars  in  the  grounds.  5 Athenian  pop- 
lars. 2.  Kentucky  locusts  near  house.  European  mul- 
berries in  the  new  garden.  {Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 


i8i7 


i8i7.> 


where 


when 


come  to 
table 


Mucellanies. 


Frame  peas. 


lettuce  ice,  & radishes. . 

winach 

Celery 

Frame  peas 


lettuce  white  & radish. 

Cabbage.  Savoy 

Sprout  Itale 

Brussels  sprouts  * 

Hotspurs. 

Ledmatia 

summer  spinach 

ice  lettuce 

violet  radish.  N.  Y.*. . . 
spinach,  summer. .... 

lettuce  white 

radish  violet  N.  Y. . . . 

Leadmans 

lettuce  white 

radish  scarlet 

beet 

salsiiia 

carrots 

Bess  snaps 

Lettuce  White 

radish  scarlet 

Tomatas.  dwarf 

Okra f 

Nasturtium. 

Uma  beans 

Long  Haricots 

Leadmans.... 

Lettuce  Wlute. 

radishes 

parsley. 


Border  I-V. . . 


Stone  house  E, 


Feb.  19. 


submural. 


. 31. 

Mar.  I. 


Sq.I.. 

11, 


10, 


*9- 


HI. 


XIV.  3. 
XIV.  I. 
XIII. 

V 


3g. 

3*. 


Border  X.. . 

Sq.X 

XII.  3... 

IX 

Terras  A.5.6. 
Terras  A.1,3.3.4. 
Sq.  IV 


Apr.  I. 

3, 


May  3$, 


May  3$. 
June  I. 


May  30. 


June  7. 


July  38. 
July  38. 
July  38. 


July  id. 


Jan.  II. — ^Feb.  18. 
the  whole  of  our 
winter  lettuce  & 
endive  killed,  tho’ 
well  covered,  spin- 
ach stood  tolerably. 


May  4.  pod.  these 
are  forwarder  y® 
those  of  Feb.  19. 


May  34.  blossom. 


June  3.  gone. 


564 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1817] 


565 


i8i7.> 


where 


when 


come  to 
table 


Jerus.  Artichokes 

Snaps  gre)r 

lettuce  white 

cucumbers  long  green .... 

Squashes.  Winter 

Summer 

Fr.  kidney  beans 

Grey  snaps 

winter  cabbaK.  Brussels 

sprouts?  Divers  ‘ 

Swedish  turneps 

Spinach  winter 


Sq.Vl... 

Sq.Vlii! 


VII 


It. 

la, 

>4- 


June  29. 
May  6. 


May  17. 
Aug.  7. 
Sep.  43. 


June  28. 


Miscellanies. 


1817.'  Jan.  10.  filled  the  Ice  house  * at  the  river  with  ice. 

Mar.  13.  filled  the  Snow  house’  here  with  snow. 

Apr.  4.  planted  i£.  Scuppernon  vines  * in  lowest  terras  of  Vineyard. 
May  4.  peas  at  mr  Divers,  sown  early  in  Jan^. 


^ 1S/7.  The  cornerstone  of  Central  College,  later  to  be* 
come  the  University  of  Virginia,  was  laid  on  October  6.  This 
was  the  outstanding  event  of  the  year  for  Jefferson.  From 
this  year  until  his  death  in  1826,  this  project  was  first  in  his 
life.  He  wrote  to  Joseph  C.  Cabell  on  October  24:  “Our 
Central  College  gives  me  more  employment  than  I am  equal 
to.  The  dilatoriness  of  the  workmen  gives  me  constant 
trouble.’’  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  19:  251.)  And 
to  George  Ticknor  he  wrote  on  November  25 : 

I am  now  entirely  absorbed  in  endeavors  to  effect  the  establishment 
of  a general  system  of  education,  in  my  native  state.  ...  In  the  mean- 
time, and  in  the  case  of  failure  of  the  broader  plan,  we  are  establishing 
a college  of  general  science,  at  the  same  situation  near  Charlottesville, 
the  scale  of  which,  of  necessity  will  be  much  more  moderate,  as  resting 
on  private  donations  only.  These  amount  at  present  to  about  75,000 
Dollars.  The  buildings  are  begun,  and  by  midsummer  we  hope  to  have 
two  or  three  professorships  in  operation.  (Ford,  Jefferson  12:  77-79*) 

The  range  of  Jefferson’s  correspondence  was  the  same  as  in 
other  years,  and  the  number  of  letters  written  is  surprising, 
considering  his  age  and  the  manifold  projects  he  had  under 
way.  Although  he  was  not  so  active  in  the  garden  and  the 
farm,  agriculture,  especially  its  theory,  was  still  of  great  in- 


^66  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1817 

terest  to  him.  His  letters  tell  of  the  method  of  plowing  slop- 
ing land  and  the  kinds  of  plants  to  grow  on  it. 

An  English  traveler,  Lieutenant  Francis  Hall,  visited 
Monticello  during  the  summer.  Later,  in  describing  his  visit, 
he  wrote  in  part; 

Having  an  introduction  to  Mr.  Jeflerson  I ascended  his  little  moun- 
tain, on  a fine  morning,  which  gave  the  situation  its  due  effect.  The 
whole  of  the  sides  and  base  are  covered  with  forest,  through  which  roads 
have  been  cut  circularly  so  that  the  winding  may  be  shortened  at  pleas- 
ure: the  summit  is  an  open  lawn,  near  to  the  south  side  of  which  the 
house  is  built,  with  its  garden  just  descending  the  brow.  ...  I walked 
with  him  round  his  grounds,  to  visit  his  pet  trees  and  improvements  of 
various  kinds.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  3:  436.) 

James  Monroe  was  elected  President  of  the  United  States 
this  year,  Monroe’s  election  delighted  Jefferson,  and  inaugu- 
rated for  the  nation  what  was  called  “The  Era  of  Good  Feel- 
•> 

mg. 

Four  visits  were  made  to  Poplar  Forest.  The  house  there 
was  still  uncompleted.  There  were  few  changes  at  Monti- 
cello. In  the  garden  and  the  farms  the  usual  kinds  of  plants 
were  set  out. 

* Brassica  oleracea  var.  gemmifera  Zenker.  Brussels 
sprouts. 

* New  York. 

* George  Divers.  See  letter,  George  Divers  to  Jefferson, 
March  27,  1817. 

* This  entry  has  been  removed  from  page  56  of  the  Garden 
Book  and  inserted  here  in  proper  chronological  order. 

* So  far  as  I know,  this  is  the  only  occasion  on  which  Jeffer- 
son mentions  an  ice  house  at  the  river.  It  was  probably  lo- 
cated near  his  mills. 

^ Jefferson  is  referring  here  to  his  ice  house  at  Monticello. 

* The  scuppernong  is  a direct  offspring  of  the  curious  musca- 
dine grape  {Vitis  rotundifolia).  “It  is  said  that  the  scup- 
pernong was  discovered  on  Roanoke  Island,  North  Carolina, 
by  Sir  Walter  Raleigh’s  colony,  and  that  the  original  vine  is 
still  m existence.”  (Bailey,  0«r  iVa/jW  Ff«h5.*  83-84.)  A 
delicious  wine  is  made  from  the  scuppernong  grape.  It  was 
a favorite  wine  of  Jefferson.  (See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Samuel 
Maverick,  May  12,  1822,  in  note  i,  1822.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1817] 


567 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1817 
(Jefferson  to  George  M.  Jeffreys.) 

Monticello  Mar.  3.  17. 

Your  favor  of  Feb.  17.  came  to  hand  two  days  ago.  I wish  it  were 
more  in  my  power  to  fulfill  the  request  of  furnishing  you  with  a full 
and  compleat  catalogue  for  an  Agricultural  library,  for  this  first  and 
most  useful  of  all  human  arts  and  sciences  I have  had  from  earlier  life 
the  strongest  partiality,  yet  such  have  been  the  circumstances  of  the 
times  in  ■which  I have  happened  to  live  that  it  has  never  been  in  my 
power  to  indulge  it.  my  reading  in  that  line  therefore  has  been  neces- 
sarily restrained,  and  for  practice  1 have  had  still  less  leisure  and  op- 
portunity until  age  had  deprived  me  of  the  activity  it  called  for.  the 
catalogue  therefore  now  inclosed,  is  sent  rather  in  proof  of  my  readi- 
ness, than  of  my  competence  to  serve  your  society,  there  is  probably  no 
better  husbandry  known  at  present  than  that  of  England,  but  that  is 
for  the  climate  & productions  of  England,  their  books  lay  for  us  a 
foundation  of  good  general  principles:  but  we  ought,  for  their  applica- 
tion, to  look  more  than  we  have  done  into  the  practices  of  countries  and 
climates’ more  homogeneous  with  our  own.  I speak  as  a Southern  man. 
the  agriculture  of  France  and  Italy  is  good,  and  has  been  better  than  at 
this  time;  the  former  in  the  age  of  De  Serres,  the  latter  in  the  time  of 
Cato,  Varro  &c.  lessons  useful  to  us  may  also  be  derived  from  Greece 
and  Asia  Minor,  in  the  times  of  their  eminence  in  science  and  popula- 
tion. I wish  I could  have  been  more  copious  in  that  part  of  my  cata- 
logue; but  my  acquaintance  with  their  agricultural  writings  has  not  en- 
abled me  to  be  so. 

The'horizontal  ploughing  after  which  you  enquire,  has  been  practiced 
here  by  Col®.  Randolph,  my  son  in  law,  who  first  introduced  it,  about  a 
dozen  or  fifteen  years,  it’s  advantages  were  so  soon  observed  that  it  has 
already  become  very  general,  and  has  entirely  changed  & renovated  the 
face  of  our  country,  every  rain  before  that,  while  it  did  a temporary 
good,  did  greater  permanent  evil  by  carrying  off  our  soil;  and  fields  were 
no  sooner  cleared  than  wasted,  at  present  we  may  say  that  we  lose  none 
of  our  soils,  the  rain  not  absorbed  in  the  moment  of  it’s  fall  being  re- 
tained in  the  hollows  of  the  beds  until  it  can  be  absorbed,  our  practice 
is  when  we  first  enter  on  this  process,  with  a rafter  level  of  10.  f.  span, 
to  lay  off  guide-lines,  conducted  horizontally  from  one  end  to  the  other 
of  the  field,  and  about  30.  yards  apart,  the  steps  of  the  level  on  the 
ground  are  marked  by  a stroke  of  a hoe,  and  immediately  followed  by  a 
plough  to  preserve  the  trace,  a man,  or  a boy  of  12,  or  15.  years  old, 
with  the  level,  and  two  smaller  boys  to  mark  the  steps,  the  one  with 
sticks,  the  other  with  the  hoe,  will  do  an  acre  of  this  an  hour,  and  when 
once  done,  it  is  forever  done,  we  generally  level  a field  the  year  it  is 
put  into  corn,  until  all  have  been  once  levelled,  the  intermediate  fur- 
rows are  run  by  the  eye  of  the  ploughman,  governed  by  these  guide  lines, 
and  is  so  done  as  to  lay  the  earth  in  horizontal  beds  of  6,  f.  wide  with 
deep  hollows  or  water  furrows  between  them,  to  hold  the  superfluous 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


568 


[1817 


rain,  the  inequalities  of  declivity  in  the  hill  will  vary  in  places  the  dis- 
tance of  the  guide  lines,  and  occasion  gores,  which  are  thrown  into  short 
beds.  As  in  ploughing  very  steep  hillsides  horizontally  the  common 
plough  can  scarcely  throw  the  furrows  uphill.  Col®.  Randolph  has  con- 
trived a vefy  simple  alteration  of  the  share  which  throws  the  furrows 
down  hill  both  going  and  coming,  it  is  as  if  two  shares  were  welded  to- 
gether at  their  strait  side,  and  at  a right  angle  with  each  other,  this 
turns  on  it's  bar  as  a pivot,  so  as  to  lay  either  share  horizontal  and  the 
other  vertical,  & is  done  by  the  ploughman  in  an  instant  by  a single  mo- 
tion of  the  hand  at  the  end  of  every  furrow.  I enclose  a bit  of  paper 
cut  into  the  form  of  the  double  share,  which  being  opened,  at  the  fold, 
to  a right  angle,  will  give  an  idea  of  it’s  general  principle.  I have  trans- 
ferred this  method  of  ploughing  to  a possession  I have  near  Lynchburg 
90.  miles  to  the  S.  W.  from  this  place,  where  it  is  spreading  rapidly,  and 
will  be  the  salvation  of  that,  as  it  confessedly  has  been  of  this  part  of 
the  country,  horizontal  and  deep  ploughing,  with  the  use  of  plaister  & 
dover  which  are  but  beginning  to  be  used  here,  we  believe  will  restore 
this  part  of  our  country  to  it’s  original  fertility  which  was  exceeded  by 
no  upland  in  the  state.  This  is  the  best  account  I am  able  to  give  you 
of  the  horizontal  ploughing,  poor  as  I am  in  the  practice  of  agriculture, 
and  not  rich  in  it’s  theory,  I can  do  no  more  than  prove  my  wishes  to  be 
useful,  adding  those  for  the  success  of  your  institution.  . . . [The  list 
indosed  in  Jefferson’s  letter  was  of  books  included  in  his  library.  See 
appendix  VII.]  {Jefferson  Papersj  L.  C.) 


(Thomas  Appleton  to  Jefferson.) 

Leghorn  March  5,  1817. 

[Mr.  Appleton  sends  Jefferson  a bag  of  Lupinella  seeds.  See  letter, 
Thomas  Appleton  to  Jefferson,  October  20,  1816.]  {Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Joel  Yancey.) 

Monticello  Mar,  6.  17. 

[Jefferson  sends  artichokes  to  be  planted  In  the  locks  of  the  fence  In 
the  big  garden,  and  some]  Pride  of  China  plants  which  may  be  planted 
somewhere  near  the  mounds.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  W.  Eppes.) 

Monticello  Mar.  6.  17. 

. . . M".  Eppes  will  receive  herewith  a box  containing  some  caly- 
canthuses,  pricUy  locusts  (Robinia  hispida)  a Snowberry  bush  and  the 
sweet-scented  curran.  the  two  last  were  brought  from  the  Pacific  ocean 
by  Lewis  and  Clark,  the  Snowberry  is  beautiful  in  autumn  and  winter 
by  it’s  bunches  of  snow  white  berries.  I send  in  a paper  some  sprout 
kale  to  be  sowed  and  transplanted  as  cabbage,  it  is  to  remain  in  it’s 


Jbffbrsok's  Garden  Book 


1817] 


569 


place  during  winter  and  will  give  2.  or  3.  successive  crops  of  sprouts 
from  the  beginning  of  December  to  April,  and  is  a fine,  tender,  sweet 
winter  vegetable.  . . . P.  S.  a Halesia  sent,  also  purple  & white  £gs. 
{Jefferson  Papers,  Huntington.) 


(JefEerson  to  Archibald  Thweatt.) 

Monticello  Mar.  16.  17. 

. . . You  ask  the  cost  of  a mill  carrying  3 or  4 pair  of  stones,  mine 
carries  2 p*".  of  burrs,  the  one  of  5.  f.  the  other  of  6.  f.  and  a pair  of 
rubbers  for  cleaning  the  grain,  with  all  the  modern  labor  saving  ma- 
chinery, the  house  very  roomly,  & walls  of  stone,  it  cost  me  10,000.  D. 
but  good  judges  say  it  ought  to  have  cost  but  $8,000.  this  is  exclusive 
of  the  canal  which  alone  cost  me  20.000  D.  and  of  the  dam.  . . . {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Jethro  Wood.) 

Monticello  Mar.  23.  17. 

I received  on  the  7th  of  Nov.  your  favor  of  Oct.  i and  delayed  its 
acknolegement  until  the  arrival,  within  this  week  past,  of  the  plough 
you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  send  me  on  the  part  of  the  firm  of  which 
you  are  a member,  for  this  mark  of  their  attention  I pray  them  to  ac- 
cept my  thanks.  I have  examined  it  with  care,  and  think  it  promises 
well  in  all  its  parts  ,*  and  shall  exhibit  it  with  pleasure  to  the  notice  of 
our  practical,  as  well  as  our  theoretical  farmers.  I have  no  doubt  it 
would  produce  many  calls  were  there  a deposit  within  the  state  from 
which  they  could  be  furnished ; as  at  Richmond,  for  example,  the  water 
communications  from  thence  would  place  them  within  the  reach  of  a 
neat  part  of  the  state,  with  the  tender  of  my  great  respect  to  your 
nrm,  I pray  you  to  accept  the  same  for  yourself  personally.  {Jefferson 
Papers,  Missouri  Historical  Society.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  Mar.  27,  1817. 

. . . The  large  potatoes  you  gave  me  turned  out  very  well,  1 send 
you  in  return  seven  that  was  produced  from  seed  that  came  from  the 
eastward,  I also  send  you  a few  of  a very  forward  kind  that  came  from 
Liverpool  last  spring,  1 have  divided  with  you  a few  peach  stones  & 
some  cabbage  seed  which  I lately  rec^  from  Mr.  Thomas  Cropper  which 
I send  by  your  servant.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(James  Barbour  to  Jefferson.) 

Barboursville  Mar.  29,  1817. 

...  If  you  have  anything  in  the  seed  way  which  you  would  recom- 
mend & which  is  not  common  you  will  oblige  me  by  sending  it.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


570 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1817 


(Joseph  C.  Cabell  to  Jefferson.) 

Edgewood,  30th  March,  1817. 

I have  had  a good  hunt  among  my  papers  for  Maine’s  recipe  for  the 
preparation  of  haws;  and  at  length,  after  ainnost  despairing,  have  found 
it  in  the  midst  of  a small  volume  of  extracts  from  Brown’s  Rural  Af- 
fairs. I now  send  it  to  you,  agreeably  to  your  desire.  . . . (Jefferson 
and  Cabell,  Letters:  75*) 

(Jefferson  to  Tristran  Dalton.) 

Monticello,  May  2,  ’17. 

I am  indebted  to  you  for  your  favor  of  Apr.  22,  and  for  the  copy  of 
the  Agricultural  magazine  it  covered,  which  is  indeed  a very  useful  work, 
while  I was  an  amateur  in  Agricultural  science  (for  practical  knolege  my 
course  of  life  never  permitted  me)  I was  very  partial  to  the  drilled  hus- 
bandry of  Tull,  and  thought  still  better  of  it  when  reformed  by  Young 
to  12 1.  rows,  but  I had  not  time  to  try  it  while  young,  and  now  grown 
old  I have  not  the  requisite  activity  either  of  body  or  mind. 

With  respect  to  held  culture  of  vegetables  for  cattle,  instead  of  the 
carrot  and  potato  recommended  by  yourself  and  the  magazine,  and  the 
beet  by  others,  we  find  the  Jerusdcm  artichoke  best  for  winter,  & the 
Succory  for  Summer  use.  this  last  was  brought  over  from  France  to 
England  by  Arthur  Young,  as  you  will  see  in  his  travels  thro’  France,  & 
some  of  the  seed  sent  by  him  to  Gen'.  Washington,  who  spared  me  a part 
of  it.  it  is  as  productive  as  the  Lucerne,  without  its  laborious  culture, 
and  indeed  without  any  culture  except  the  keeping  it  clean  the  first  year, 
the  Jerusalem  artichoke  far  exceeds  the  potato  in  produce,  and  remains 
in  the  ground  thro’  the  winter  to  be  dug  as  wanted.  A method  of  plow- 
ing over  hill  sides  horizontally,  introduced  into  this  most  hilly  part  of 
our  country  by  Col".  T.  M,  Randolph,  my  son  in  law,  may  be  worth 
mentioning  to  you.  he  has  practiced  it  a dozen  or  15  years,  and  it’s 
advantages  were  so  immediately  observed  that  it  has  already  become 
very  general,  and  has  entirely  changed  and  renovated  the  face  of  our 
country,  every  rain,  before  that,  while  it  gave  a temporary  refresh- 
ment, did  permanent  evil  by  carrying  off  our  soil;  and  fields  were  no 
sooner  cleared  than  wasted,  at  present  we  may  say  that  we  lose  none 
of  our  soil,  the  rain  not  absorbed  in  the  moment  of  it’s  fall  being  re- 
tained in  the  hollows  between  the  beds  until  it  can  be  absorbed,  our 
practice  is  when  we  first  enter  on  this  process,  with  a rafter  level  of 
10.  f.  span,  to  lay  off  guide  lines  conducted  horizontally  around  the  hill 
or  valley  from  one  end  to  the  other  of  the  field,  and  about  30  yards 
apart,  the  steps  of  the  level  on  the  ground  are  marked  by  a stroke  of  a 
hoc,  and  immediately  followed  by  a plough  to  preserve  the  trace,  a man 
or  a lad,  with  the  level,  and  two  small  boys,  one  with  sticks,  the  other 
with  the  hoe,  will  do  an  acre  of  this  in  an  hour,  and  when  once  done  it 
is  forevw  done,  we  generally  level  a field  the  year  it  is  put  into  Indian 
corn  laying  it  into  beds  of  6.  f . wide  with  a large  water  furrow  between 
the  beds,  until  all  the  fields  have  been  once  leveled,  the  intermediate 


Jeffbrson’s  Garden  Book 


571 


1817] 

furrows  are  run  by  the  eye  of  the  ploughman  governed  by  these  guide 
lines,  the  inequalities  of  declivity  in  the  hill  will  vary  in  places  the  dis- 
tance of  the  guide  lines,  and  occasion  gores  which  are  thrown  into  short 
beds.  As  in  ploughing  very  stedp  hill  sides  horizontally  the  common 
plough  can  scarcely  throw  the  furrow  uphill,  Col®.  Randolph  has  con- 
trived a very  simple  alteration  of  the  share,  which  throws  the  furrow 
down  hill  both  going  and  coming,  it  is  as  if  two  shares  were  welded 
together  at  their  strait  side,  and  at  a right  angle  with  each  other,  this 
turns  on  it’s  bar  as  on  a pivot,  so  as  to  lay  either  share  horizontal,  when 
the  other  becoming  vertical  acts  as  a mould  board,  this  is  done  by  the 
ploughman  in  an  instant  by  a single  motion  of  the  hand,  at  the  end  of 
every  furrow.  I enclose  a bit  of  paper  cut  into  the  form  of  the  double 
share,  which  being  opened  at  the  fold  to  a right  angle,  will  give  an  idea 
of  it’s  general  principle,  horizontal  and  deep  ploughing,  with  the  use 
of  plaister  and  clover,  which  are  but  beginning  to  be  used  here  will,  as 
we  believe,  restore  this  part  of  our  country  to  it’s  original  fertility, 
which  was  exceeded  by  no  upland  in  the  state.  Believing  that  some  of 
these  things  might  be  acceptable  to  you  I have  hazarded  them  as  testi- 
monies of  my  great  esteem  and  respect.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Isaac  Coles.) 

Monticello  May  7.  17. 

Have  you  any  orchard  grass  seed  left?  or  have  your  brothers  any? 
I want  about  a bushel  to  finish  a grass  lot  now  prepared  for  it,  and 
should  be  very  thankful  for  tl  it  much.  I looked  for  you  at  court  [to] 
invite  you  to  come  and  see  mrs  Madison  & mf  Madison,  but  could  not 
find  you.  I thought  too  you  ought  not  to  need  an  invitation  to  come 
here  or  to  see  them.  Appleton  of  Leghorn  has  sent  me  some  grass  seed 
(arrived  at  Boston)  which  he  calls  Lupinella,  of  which  he  gives  a very 
high  account  as  to  produce.  6000  lb  in  the  ground  which  requires  a. 
bushels  of  wheat  wlffin  sown  in  wheat,  when  I receive  it  I shall  wish 
to  distribute  it  among  careful  farmers,  in  which  number  I count  you. 

. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Isaac  Coles  to  Jefferson.) 

Enniscorthy  May  8“.  1817. 

I have  not  an  Orchard  Grass  seed  left  but  as  I think  it  possible  that 
my  Brother  may  still  have  some  on  hand  I have*  directed  your  servant  to 
go  there.  I fear  however  as  it  is  now  so  much  later  than  we  arc  in  the 
habit  of  sowing  it,  that  you  will  be  disappointed  in  getting  any. 

I only  got  a glimpse  of  you  on  Monday  as  you  ascended  to  the  Jury 
room,  and  was  called  off  to  dine  before  you  came  down  again.  I would 
have  come  up  with  Gen'.  Cocke  in  the  evening  to  see  you,  & pay  my 
respects  to  M'.  & M”.  Madison,  if  I had  not  apprehended  from  the  size 
of  the  party  I heard  were  with  you,  that  your  House  was  entirely  full. 

I shdl  be  very  thankful  for  a few  seed  of  the  Lupinella  when  you  re- 
ceive it,  & will  certainly  give  it  a fair  experiment.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  L,  C.) 


572 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8i7 


(Jefferson  to  William  Johnson.) 

Monticello  May  lo.  17. 

. . . the  pamphlet  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me  manifests  a zeal, 
which  cannot  be  too  much  praised,  for  the  interests  of  agriculture,  the 
employment  of  our  first  parents  in  Eden,  the  happiest  we  can  follow,  and 
the  most  important  to  our  country,  while  it  displays  the  happy  capabili- 
ties of  that  portion  of  it  which  you  inhabit,  it  shews  how  much  is  yet  to 
be  done  to  develop  them  fully.  I am  not  without  hope  that  thro’  your 
efforts  and  example,  we  shall  yet  see  it  a country  abounding  in  wine  and 
oil.  North  Carolina  has  the  merit  of  taking  the  lead  in  the  former  cul- 
ture, of  giving  the  first  specimen  of  an  exquisite  wine,  produced  in  quan- 
tity, and  established  in  it’s  culture  beyond  the  danger  of  being  discon- 
tinued. her  Scuppernon  wine,  made  on  the  Southside  of  the  Sound, 
would  be  distinguished  on  the  best  tables  of  Europe,  for  it’s  fine  aroma, 
and  chrystalline  transparence,  unhappily  that  aroma,  in  most  of  the 
samples  I have  seen,  has  been  entirely  submerged  in  brandy,  this  coarse 
taste  and  practice  is  the  peculiarity  of  Englishmen,  and  of  their  apes 
Americans.  I hope  it  will  be  discontinued,  and  that  this  fortunate 
example  will  encourage  our  country  to  go  forward  in  this  culture,  the 
olive,  the  Sesamus,  the  Cane  & Coffee  offer  field  enough  for  the  efforts 
of  your’s  and  other  states  South  & West  of  you.  we,  of  this  state,  must 
maice  bread,  and  be  contented  with  so  much  of  that  as  a miserable  insect 
will  leave  us.  this  remnant  will  scarcely  feed  us  the  present  year,  for 
such  swarms  of  the  Wheat-fly  were  never  before  seen  in  this  country. 

. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  Josephus  B.  Stuart.) 

Monticello,  May  10  1817. 

. . . We  all  know  that  a farm,  however  large,  is  not  more  difficult  to 
direct  than  a garden,  and  does  not  call  for  more  attention  or  skill.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  15;  H2.) 

(John  Adams  to  Jefferson.) 

Quincy,  May  26,  1817. 

...  I congratulate  you,  and  Madison  and  Monroe,  on  your  noble 
employment  in  founding  a university.  From  such  a noble  triumvirate 
the  world  expect  soniething  very  great  and  very  new;  but  if  it  con- 
tains anything  quite  original,  and  very  excellent,  I fear  the  prejudices 
are  too  deeply  rooted  to  suffer  it  to  last  long,  though  it  may  be  accepted 
at  first.  It  will  not  always  have  three  such  colossal  reputations  to  sup- 
port it.  . . , (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  15:  123.) 

(Jefferson  to  Baron  F.  H,  Alexander  von  Humboldt.) 

Monticello,  June  13,  1817. 

The  receipt  of  your  Distributio  Geographka  Plantarum,  with  the 
duty  of  thatLking  you  for  a work  which  sh^s  so  much  new  and  valu- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


573 


18x7] 

able  light  on  botanical  science,  excites  the  desire,  also,  of  presenting  my- 
self to  your  recollection,  and  of  expressing  to  you  those  sentiments  of 
high  admiration  and  esteem,  which  although  long  silent,  have  never 
slept.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  is:  68.) 

(Jefferson  to  Albert  Gallatin.) 

Monticello,  June  16,  1817. 

, . . We  have  had  a remarkably  cold  winter.  At  Hallowell,  in 
Maine,  the  mercury  was  at  thirty-four  degrees  below  zero,  Fahrenheit, 
which  is  sixteen  degrees  lower  than  it  was  in  Paris  in  1788^.  Here  it 
was  at  six  degrees  above  zero,  which  is  our  greatest  degree  of  cold.  . . . 
(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  15:  135.) 

(John  Love  to  Jefferson.) 

Breckland,  July  i6th,  1817. 

At  an  early  period  of  the  summer,  the  President  passed  on  this  road, 
when  I had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him.  He  was  then  satisfyed  from 
the  different  appearances  of  the  common  wheats,  and  the  kind  here  called 
the  Lawler,  that  the  latter  was  uninjured  by  the  Hessian  fly,  and  en- 
gaged from  me  200  bush’ls  for  himself,  and  200  for  you,  to  whom  he 
mentioned  his  intention  to  write  on  the  subject.  I have  still  a consider- 
able portion  of  my  crop  to  dispose  of,  but  orders  for  it  have  been  received 
to  a considerable  amount  from  different  parts  of  the  United  States,  and 
will  probably  soon  be  equal  to  the  quantity  to  be  disposed  of  in  this 
neighborhood.  It  may,  therefore,  be  proper  that  I should  more  cer- 
tainly at  this  time  be  informed  of  your  wishes  on  the  subject,  as  I have 
not  had  the  honor  of  hearing  from  you.  If  more  should  be  wished  I 
can  supply  it,  or  if  less  it  will  be  a matter  of  no  importance.  I see  small 
parcels  of  it  have  been  raised  this  year  on  James  River.  You  have  there- 
fore probably  seen  the  growth  of  it,  or  I would  enclose  a stalk,  it  is  I 
think  much  harder  than  that  of  any  other  kind.  But  as  the  cause  of  the 
exemption  of  this  wheat  from  the  ravages  of  the  fly  could  not  be  satis- 
factorily agreed  on  by  the  members  of  the  committees  of  this  neighbor- 
hood, it  was  not  in  our  power  to  make  any  public  statement  on  this  part 
of  the  subject. 

The  crops  in  this  neighborhood  of  the  Lawler  wheat  are  of  good 
quality,  not  quite  so  heavy  as  the  last  year;  the  growth  has  been  very 
great  as  might  be  expected.  My  crop  i$  entirely  clear  of  disease,  altho 
I am  told  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fauquier  C[ourt]  h[ouse]  the  smut 
has  appeared  in  considerable  quantity.  My  farm  has  not  yet  been  visited 
by  this  dreadfull  disease,  and  I believe  it  has  not  found  its  way  to  James 
river.  I think  from  what  I have  seen  in  this  neighborhood  it  is  at- 
tributable to  bad  seed,  as  it  is  very  much  the  custom  here  to  cut  wheat  in 
a green  state,  and  the  seed  does  not  mature  so  perfectly  as  when  left  to 
the  process  of  nature. 

By  the  middle  or  20th  of  August,  I could  be  prepared  to  deliver  wheat 
for  seed.  . . . (Ford.  Jefferson  Correspondence:  231-232,) 


574 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1817 


(Jefferson  to  John  Love.) 

Monticello,  August  3,  *17, 

Your  favor  of  July  16,  came  to  hand  yesterday  evening  only,  and  I 
feel  much  indebted  to  the  President  for  having  thought  of  me,  and  to 
yourself  for  giving  me  an  opportunity  of  procuring  a supply  of  the 
Lawler  wheat  for  seed.  I have  heard  much  of  it’s  superior  security 
from  the  fly,  and  indeed  know  something  of  it  from  an  example  in  my 
neighborhood,  how  it  may  stand  in  comparison  with  our  red  bearded 
wheat  in  other  important  circumstances  we  do  not  know,  and  therefore 
I have  concluded  to  sow  enough  of  it  only  to  produce  my  stock  of  seed 
for  another  year,  the  little  necessary  for  this  I get  in  my  own  neighbor- 
hood and  leave  therefore  the  benefit  you  offer  me  for  the  supply  of  others 
who  will  want,  with  abundant  thanks  for  the  preference  you  have  been 
so  good  as  to  offer  me.  of  smut  we  have  had  but  one  example  here.  I 
think  with  you  it  proceeds  from  bad  or  infected  grain,  recollecting  al- 
ways with  pleasure  the  scenes  of  our  cooperation  in  the  public  councils  I 
pray  you  to  accept  assurances  of  my  continued  esteem  and  respect. 
(Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence:  332.) 

(Francis  W.  Gilmer  to  Jefferson.) 

Winchester,  18,  Aug.  1817. 

...  I inclose  for  Mrs.  Randolph  a few  seeds  of  the  plant  which  has 
been  dedicated  to  you,  under  the  name  of  Jeffersonia.  It  is  not  very 
beautiful  but  is  curious,  and  its  name  will  I am  sure  recommend  it  to  her 
piety.  It  grows  in  deep,  shady  bottoms  like  the  May  apple  (podophyl- 
lum peltatum).  The  seeds  came  from  Harpers  Ferry  where  all  the  re- 
gions of  nature  have  conspired  to  do  you  honor.  . . . {Francis  Gilmer 
Letter  Book,  Missouri  Historical  Society.) 

(Jefferson  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Poplar  Forest  Aug.  31.  17. 

. . . Ellen  and  Cornelia  are  the  severest  students  1 have  ever  met 
with,  they  never  leave  their  room  but  to  come  to  meals,  about  twi- 
light of  the  evening,  we  sally  out  with  the  owls  & bats,  and  take  our 
evening  exocise  on  the  terras,  an  alteration  in  that  part  of  the  house, 
not  yet  finished,  has  deprived  them  the  use  of  their  room  longer  than  I 
had  expected ; but  two  or  three  days  more  will  now  restore  it  to  them, 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Edmund  Bacon.) 

[Monticello]  Nov.  13.  17, 

...  We  have  saved  red  Hughes  enough  from  the  North  orchard  to 
make  a smart  cask  of  cyder,  they  are  now  mellow  & beginning  to  rot. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


575 


1817] 

I will  pray  you  therefore  to  have  them  made  into  cyder  immediately- 
let  them  be  made  clean  one  by  one,  and  all  the  rotten  ones  thrown  away 
or  the  rot  cut  out.  nothing  else  can  ensure  fine  cyder.  . . . (Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H,  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  Correa  da  Scrra.) 

Poplar  Forest,  November  25, 1817. 

...  I have  taken  measures  to  obtain  the  crested  turkey,  and  will  en- 
deavor to  perpetuate  that  beautiful  and  singular  characteristic,  and  shall 
be  not  less  earnest  in  endeavors  to  raise  the  Moronnier.  . . . (Lipscomb 
and  Bergh,  Jefferson  15:  157.) 


i8i8 


1818I 


where 


when. 


to  table 


Miscellanies. 


forward  potatoes . 
Hunter’s  peas. . . . 
Frame  peas 


Hunter’s. 
Frames. . 


Border.  I.  iq^*. 
d“.  E.  end. . . . 


Jan. 
Feb.  47. 


Submural  W.. 
d".  E. . 


May  14. 
....  3>- 


May  44. 
....31- 


Hotspur.  . 
Ledmans. 


Mar.  9. 


June  J. 
. ...  14. 


Cabbage  early  York. . , 
green  Savoy. 
Savoy  Latch 

Sprout  Kale 

Summer  Spinach 

Orache 

cabbage  early  York. . , 
great  Savoy.. 

Sprout  Kale 

beets 

carrots 

aalsafia 


16, 

40. 


Ledmans . 


III. 


S4. 


Snaps,  grey. 


Salsafia 

Carrots. 

Span,  tomatas 

Nasturtium 

Summer  Spinach 

Okra 

cucuAibas  frame 

long  haricots 

lima  beans 

early  frame  cucumber, 
Ledmans. 


“5- 

46. 


30. 


Terras  A.3,, 


island*. 


t 


Apr.  4. 

....  3. 

t 


squashes 

wey  snaps 

name  cucumbers, 
long  haricots. . . . 

^nach 

Dutch  Brown. . . . 


island. 


, . . . 8, 

n. 

. . . . ti. 
May  7, 
Sep.  li 


June  40. 
June  II. 


Mar.  13.  up. 

Mar.  13.  up.  May  6, 
blossom. — 

d”.  May  10. 

pod. 

Mar.  13.  up.  May  6. 
blossom 
ij.  pod. 

44.  up.  May  41. 
pod. 

. . 4j.  up.  May  44. 
blossom. 


June  17. 


Mar.  44.  almond 
blooms. 

Apr.  6.  up.  May  a6. 
blossom. 

June  7.  pod, 
June  3.  blossom. 

7.  pod. 


June  5.  blossom 
13-  P°d. 

June  10.  pod. 


576 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1818] 


577 


‘ 1818.  Jefferson  wrote  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette  on 
November  23 : 

The  hand  of  age,  my  dear  friend,  has  been  pressing  heavily  on  me  for 
the  few  last  years  and  has  rendered  me  unequal  to  the  punctualities  of 
correspondence.  My  health,  too,  is  lately  very  much  broken  down  by 
an  illness  of  three  months  from  which  I am  but  now  on  the  recovery. 
If,  therefore,  I am  slack  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  mu^ 
valued  letters,  goodness  will  ascribe  it  to  its  true  causes,  declining  age 
and  health.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  ig:  268.) 

In  order  to  effect  a cure  for  his  illness,  which  he  had  suffered 
most  of  the  summer,  Jefferson  spent  the  month  of  August  at 
the  Warm  Springs  of  Virginia. 

He  made  two  trips  to  Poplar  Forest,  and  as  usual  enjoyed 
the  quiet  surroundings  and  the  absence  of  large  numbers  of 
visitors,  which  flowed  to  Monticello. 

The  Commissioners,  who  had  been  appointed  to  select  a lo- 
cation for  the  State  University  of  Virginia,  decided  that  Char- 
lottesville was  the  most  central  place  and  that  Central  College 
should  be  renamed  the  University  of  Virginia.  The  final  ac- 
tion for  the  change  was  not  taken  by  the  Legislature  until  the 
following  year.  Jefferson  was  now  busy  with  the  plans  for 
the  enlarged  school. 

While  Jefferson  was  absorbed  in  the  new  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, his  financial  condition  was  growing  more  serious.  He 
wrote  to  Mr.  Beckley,  on  April  16,  “I  have  not  at  this  moment 
more  than  50.  dollars  in  the  world  at  my  command”  (^Jefferson 
Papers,  M,  H.  S.)  In  spite  of  this,  he  endorsed  two  notes  of 
ten  thousand  dollars  each,  for  his  old  friend,  Wilson  C.  Nicho- 
las. This  favor  was  to  cause  Jefferson  partial  financial  em- 
barrassment for  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Letters  covering  the  same  wide  range  of  interests  were  writ- 
ten during  the  year.  They  were  less  numerous,  with  relatively 
fewer  on  agriculture  and  related  topics. 

Edmund  Bacon  continued  as  overseer  at  Monticello,  and 
Joel  Yancey,  at  Poplar  Forest,  His  grandson,  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson Randolph,  supervised  the  farm  and  garden  affairs,  as 
well  as  other  concerns  of  Jefferson.  Jefferson  recorded  the 
routine  calendar  of  the  vegetable  garden,  letting  others  dr 
most  of  the  planning  and  planting. 

* Island  here  probably  referred  to  an  isolated  place  in  the 
garden. 


578 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[i8i8 


• Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  i8i8 

(Jefferson  to  David  Hosack.) 

Monticello  Feb.  i8.  i8. 

I received  some  time  ago  from  M.  Thouin,  Director  of  the  Botanical 
or  King’s  garden  at  Paris,  a box  containing  an  assortment  of  seeds,  Non- 
American,  and  therefore  presumably  acceptable  to  the  American  botan- 
ist, finding  it  more  and  more  necessary  to  abridge  the  catalogue  of  my 
cares,  this  is  among  [those]  which  I have  struck  from  it.  I have  there- 
fore this  day  sent  the  box  to  Richmond  to  the  care  of  Cap‘  Peyton  of 
that  place,  to  be  forwarded  to  you  for  the  use  of  the  Botanical  garden 
of  N.  York,  to  which  I presume  the  assortment  may  be  [acceptabjle,  for 
I have  not  opened  it  nor  do  I know  it’s  particular  [conten]ts.  I am 
happy  in  this  disposition  of  it  to  fulfill  the  good  intentions  of  the  donor, 
and  to  make  it  useful  to  your  institution.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton.) 

Monticello,  Mar.  20,  18. 

. . • The  impossibility  of  buying  raw  cotton  obliges  [me]  to  recur  to 
the  cultivating  it  myself.  So  much  has  it  [got]  out  of  practice  that 
even  the  seed  is  lost  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Could  you  possibly  buy 
me  a sack  or  barrel  of  about  5 bushels?  It  will  be  a great  accommoda- 
tion to  me.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  1 : 269. ) 

(Jefferson  to  Jacob  Bigelow.) 

Monticello,  April  11,  1818 

I thank  you.  Sir,  for  the  comparative  statement  of  the  climates  of  the 
several  States  as  deduced  from  observations  on  the  flowering  of  trees  in 
the  same  year.  It  presents  a valuable  view  and  one  which  it  is  much  to 
be  desired  could  be  extended  through  a longer  period  of  years  and  em- 
brace a greater  number  of  those  circumstances  which  indicate  climate. 

I closed  the  year  before  last  a seven  years’  course  of  observations  in- 
tended to  characterize  the  climate  of  this  State,  which  though  very  vari- 
ous in  its  various  parts  may  be  considered  as  reduced  to  a mean  at  this 
place  nearly  central  to  the  whole.  In  return  for  your  favor  I transcribe 
the  heads  of  observation  which  I thought  requisite  and  some  of  the  gen- 
eral results  with  the  assurance  of  my  high  respect  and  esteem. 

1.  The  greatest  and  least  height  of  the  thermometer  every  day. 

2.  The  greatest,  least  and  mean  height  of  the  thermometer  in  every 
month,  with  the  mean  of  each  year  and  the  mean  of  the  seven 
years  which  last  was  SSi”. 

3.  The  minimum  and  maximum  of  the  whole  term,  to  wit:  Si** 
and  944". 

4.  The  number  of  freezing  nights  in  a winter  (30)  and  of  freezing 
days  (10). 

5.  How  long  fires  are  necessary  in  our  apartments,  to  wit : 4 months 
constant,  and  on  evening  and  morning  of  month  before  and 
after  that  time. 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


i8i8] 


579 


6.  The  earliest  frost  in  autumn  Oct.  7-36,  and  the  latest  in  spring 
Mar.  19-May  I. 

7.  The  earliest  ice  in  autumn  Oct.  24-Nov.  15,  and  latest  in 
spring  Mar.  8-Apr.  10. 

8.  The  quantity  of  water  falling  in  a year,  average  47.218. 
g.  The  number  of  rains  in  the  year,  89. 

10.  The  number  of  fair  days  average  5 to  the  week. 

The  number  of  snow  22 J inches  average  covers  the  ground  22 
days. 

12.  The  number  of  days  each  wind  prevailed  through  the  year. 

13.  The  flowering  of  plants,  ripening  of  their  fruit  and  coming  to 
table  of  the  products  of  the  garden,  arrival  of  birds,  insects,  etc. 

14.  The  teniperature  of  the  springs  54^“,  the  winter  air  being  at  75“. 

15.  The  latitude  of  the  place  of  observation  (Monticello)  37°  57' 
5i"-26". 

Extract  from  Number  13; 

The  peach  blossoms  Mar.  9— Apr.  4. 

The  tick  appears  Mar.  15-Apr.  2. 

The  house  martin  Mar.  i8-Apr.  9. 

Asparagus  come  to  table  Mar.  23-Apr.  14. 

The  lilac  blooms  Apr.  i— Apr.  28. 

The  red  bud  blooms  Apr.  2-19. 

The  whip-poor-will  is  heard  Apr.  2-2 1. 

The  dogwood  blossoms  Apr.  3-33. 

The  locust  blossoms  Apr.  25— May  17. 

Garden  pea  comes  to  table  (unforced)  May  3-25, 
Strawberries  ripe  May  3—25. 

Fireflies  appear  May  8. 

Cherries  ripe  May  18-25. 

Wheat  harvest  begins  June  21—29. 

Cucumbers  at  table  (unforced)  June  22-25. 

Peaches  ripe  July  7-21. 

Katydids  or  sawyers  heard  July  14—20. 


Average  of  Every  Month 

Prevalence  of  the 
several  winds  stated 
in  days  of  year 

Therm. 

Rain 

Tan 

36 

46 

IS 

15, 

67 

45i 

37 

3.66 

Feb 

3-47 

3.99 

t.co 

N.  61 

N.  E.  29 

E.  I? 

S.  E.  16 

May 

5.M 

1.47 

S.  60 

July 

S.  W.  66 

4.06 

W.47 

N,  W.  71 

5.96 

,3-40 

2.02 

I.j6 

36j 

(Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jeffersou  19:  259-261.) 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


580 


[i8i8 


(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Digges.) 

Monticello  June  15.  18. 

...  I thank  you  for  thinking  of  me  as  to  the  spring  wheat,  my 
family  will  try  it  with  pleasure,  meddling  little  myself  with  the  affairs 
of  the  farm.  , . . {Jefferson  Papers,  h.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Honore  Jullien.) 

Monticello  Oct.  6.  18. 

I thank  you,  my  good  friend,  for  the  favors  of  the  cheese  & seeds  men- 
tioned in  your  letter  of  Sept.  ii.  to  have  been  forwarded  to  me.  if  by 
water,  they  will  probably  still  come  safely  to  hand:  but  if  by  the  stage, 
they  have  probably  stopped  at  Fredericlsburg  or  at  some  other  stage 
house  by  the  way.  uncertain  by  what  route  they  have  been  forwarded, 
1 have  been  unable  to  enquire  for  th'em.  but  whether  lost  or  safe,  I 
receive  it  as  a mark  of  your  good  will  which  is  more  acceptable  to  me 
than  the  objects  themselves.  I am  recovering  from  a long  indisposition, 
and  not  yet  able  to  sit  up  to  write  but  with  pain.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Nathaniel  Bowditch.) 

Monticello,  October  26,  1818. 

. . . The  soil  in  this  part  of  the  country  is  as  fertile  as  any  upland 
soil  in  any  of  the  maritime  States,  inhabited  fully  by  substantial  yeo- 
manry of  farmers  (tobacco  long  since  given  up)  and  being  at  the  first 
ridge  of  mountains  there  is  not  a healthier  or  more  genial  climate  in  the 
world.  Our  maximum  of  heat  and  that  only  of  one  or  two  days  in 
summer  is  about  96,  the  minimum  in  winter  is  5^,  but  the  mean  of  the 
months  of  June,  July,  August  is  72,  75,  73,  and  of  December,  January, 
February  is  45,  36,  40.  The  thermometer  is  below  55  (the  fire  point) 
four  months  of  the  year  and  about  a month  before  and  after  that  we 
require  fire  in  the  mornings  and  evenings.  Our  average  of  snow  is  22 
indies,  covering  the  ground  as  many  days  in  the  winter.  . . . (Lips- 
comb and  Bergh,  Jefferson  rg;  266.) 

(Henry  E,  Watkins  to  Jefferson.) 

Prince  Edward 
Nov.  6*^  i8i8. 

You  were  good  enough  to  say,  when  I had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
in  Stanton,  that  you  would  send  me  some  of  the  seed  of  the  succory,  if  I 
would  remind  you  of  it  after  your  return  home.  It  is  therefore  that 
I now  take  the  liberty  of  requesting  that  you  would  forward  me  a 
parcel  of  the  seed  of  this  plant;  and  I do  this  with  the  less  reluctance 
from  a confidence  that  you  think  highly  of  its  usefulness,  and  would  be 
gratified  in  giving  aid  to  its  more  extensive  cultivation.  1 am  desirous 
of  trying  it  under  favourable  circumstances,  and  would  be  glad  to  be  in- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


581 


1818] 

formed  (if  you  have  leisure)  what  kind  of  soil  suits  it  best,  what  is  the 
proper  time  and  manner  of  sowing  it,  and  how  it  should  be  worked.  A 
package  directed  to  me,  and  sent  to  the  care  of  Ellis  & Allan,  of  Rich- 
mond, would  probably  be  safely  received.  . . . {Jefferson  PaperSj 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.) 

(Jefferson  to  Henry  E.  Watkins.) 

Monticello  Nov.  27.  18. 

Your  fav'.  of  the  6““  did  not  get  to  hand  till  the  23“.  and  I now  with 
pleasure  send  you  as  much  of  the  Succory  seed  as  can  well  go  under  the 
volume  of  a letter,  as  I mentioned  to  our  colleagues  at  the  Gap,  I had 
forgotten  which  of  them  expressed  a willingness  to  try  this  plant,  and 
therefore  I have  waited  for  their  application,  having  taken  care  to  have 
a plenty  of  seed  saved. 

Sow  the  seed  in  rich  beds,  as  you  would  tobacco  seed,  and  take  the 
advantage  of  good  seasons  in  the  spring  to  draw  and  transplant  them, 
the  ground  should  be  well  prepared  by  the  plough.  I have  generally  set 
the  plants  18.  I.  or  2.  f.  apart  every  way,  to  give  room  for  several  weed- 
ings  the  summer,  for  during  that  they  are  too  weak  to  contend  with 
the  weeds,  after  that  they  will  not  be  in  danger  from  weeds,  do  not 
cut  the  plants  the  i“.  year  that  they  may  shed  their  seed  and  fill  up  all 
the  intervals,  the  grazing  of  sheep  destroys  the  plant,  it  is  perennial, 
and  of  immense  produce,  and  is  a tolerable  sallad  for  the  table  in  ^e 
spring,  somewhat  like  the  turnep  tops  but  earlier,  the  warm  spring 
bath  proved  extremely  injurious  to  my  health.  I have  been  very  poorly 
ever  since,  but  within  a week  past  have  got  on  horseback,  altho’  not  yet 
entirely  well.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  United  States  Department  of 
Agricidture.) 


Miscellenea. 


1819.* 

where 

when 

come  to 
table 

high  hed 

Jan.  36, 

true  early  Frame  peas 

Submural. . . . 

Jan.  37. 

May  13. 

j 

. . . . 

Celery 

low  grounds . . 

Feb.  5. 

. a . . It* 

£flr]y  York 

SavoyA 

Sprouf  Kale 

R^ppinillllllllllHHIIII 

Hotspurs * . « 

Feb.  34. 

Mar.  3. 

June  4. 

....  13- 

Cir  Ach 

Lettuce  ice\ 

June  3, 

June  3. 
June  t6. 

June  18. 

June  9. 

ra(y8h.  j 1 

Spinach.  Smooth. 

....  x<J 

Q^ach 

Leadmans 

18. 

Chick  peas  from  Julien  * . . 

Snaps  grey 

Apr,  X. 

Salsafia. 

Carrots 

tomatas 

okra 

nasturtium 

beets, 

cucumbers 

orach. 

spinach  smooth 

IHHIIII 

lettuce,  wh.  & Ten.  ball. . 

■ 

Mar.  3.  up. 

Mar.  3.  up.  failed 
afterwds 

these  are  Hunters. 
Mar.  3.  up.  Apr.  aa, 
blos^.  30.  pod. 
May.  28.  late  gather- 
ing 


ar.  4.  up. 
blossom.  M 


Apr.  30. 
ay  9.  pod. 


failed 

May  8.  blossom. 
14.  pod. 

May  1$.  blossom. 
36  pod. 

failed. 


succeeded 

May  31.  blossom. 

pod  June  3, 

try  planting  them  i**. 

week  of  April,  say 

they***. 

May  35.  blossom. 
June  3.  pod. 


succeeded 
last  dish.  June  i. 


58a 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


583 


1819] 


1819.* 


where 


when 


come  to 
table 


Miscellenea. 


radishes 

Lima  beans 

Long  Haricots 

lettuce  ice  & Tennis .... 
wild  goose  bean  to  wit 
French  dry  haricot. 

Lange  * 

Marrow  fats 


red  bloss°  kidn| 
IV 


..6. 

ey  bean. . 


Ledmans. 


July  g. 
July  13. 

June  14. 
June  ai. 


snaps 

lentils 

Orach 

green  curled  Savoys. . . 

snaps 

Silesia  lettuce 

Orach 

Swed.  turneps.  Vaughan ‘| 
snaps 


squitch  spots  ^ 


. . . 13- 
May  3. 


XVII.a.N., 


A.l3.terras. 


аа. 

аб. 


May  ay.  blossom. 

{une  10.  pod 
une  3.  blossom. 
June  10  pod”  some 
day, 

June  4.  blossom. 


June  II.  blossom 


1819.'  May  6.  put  a carp  into  the  a^.  fishpond  and  4.  chubs  into  the  3^.  the  i‘^  or 
wpermost  pond  is  for  eus.i  the  carp  8c  chub  came  from  GenL 
Coclce  s ^ 

May.  eels  put  into  the  1**.  pond  as  we  catch  them  are  4-^-a-fa•^-7■^-34-l. 
Oct.  19.  planted  Seakale ' 6.  rows  100  .f.  long,  16  L apart,  & the  seeds  16. 1. 
(fiat*,  in  y*  row  making  6.  rows  of  75.  holes  each  » Sao,  holes  or  plants.  6 seeds  in 
each  hole. 


* iS/ff.  Jefferson  suffered  two  severe  spells  of  sickness 
during  the  autumn  of  the  year.  The  second  one  almost 
caused  his  death.  By  the  end  of  October,  however,  he  was 
able  to  be  on  his  horse  again  and  was  riding  over  his  farms. 

On  April  9 the  North  Pavilion  of  Jefferson’s  house  was 
burned.  Fortunately  the  fire  was  confined  to  the  Pavilion  and 
did  not  reach  the  main  house.  He  wrote  to  William  Short 
on  June  22 : “The  conflagration  in  which  you  are  kind  enough 
to  take  an  interest  was  only  of  a detached  pavilion,  which  is 
no,w  again  under  repair"  {Jeferson  Papers,  M.  H.  C.  i ; 286) . 

The  cisterns  at  Monticello  we-e  still  leaking,  causing  the 
loss  of  a valuable  supply  of  water  that  was  so  sorely  needed 
on  top  of  the  mountain.  On  May  15  Jefferson  “inclosed  to 
W.  J.  Coffee  N.  York  40.  D.  to  procure  Roman  cement  for 


£04  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  ti8i9 

my  cisterns.”  It  is  doubtful  if  Jefferson’s  cisterns  were  ever 
wholly  satisfactory. 

Jefferson  made  only  two  visits  to  Poplar  Forest  this  year; 
however,  he  remained  there  two  months  at  the  summer  visit. 
While  at  Poplar  Forest,  he  supervised  the  laying  of  a marble 
hearth  and  the  plastering  of  the  ceiling  of  the  dining  room. 

The  Calendar  in  the  Garden  Book  is  fuller  this  year,  but 
the  variety  of  vegetables  is  the  same.  There  is  no  mention  of 
fruit  trees.  Letters  on  agricultural  matters  dwindle  markedly 
in  number  and  in  interest.  The  University  of  Virginia  was 
taking  the  place  of  agriculture  in  Jefferson’s  thinking  and  writ- 
ing. The  work  on  the  University  buildings  was  progressing, 
but  Jefferson  had  many  problems  to  solve  in  order  to  carry  on 
the  building  program. 

*Mr.  Jullien,  one  of  Jefferson’s  favorite  servants  at  the 
White  House  during  his  Presidency.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to 
Mr.  Jullien,  October  6,  i8i8. 

‘ Abraham  Lange.  See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Abraham  Lange 
[=Laage],  January  24,  1819. 

‘Squitch  spots  (altered  form  of  quitch),  couch-grass  {Tri- 
ticum  repens).  It  evidently  means  here  that  lentils  were 
planted  in  spots  where  couch-grass  formerly  grew.  (See  Ox- 
ford English  Dictionary  9;  751.) 

® Benjamin  Vaughan  ( 1751-1835),  diplomat,  political  econ- 
omist, and  agriculturist,  the  eldest  son  of  Samuel  Vaughan,  a 
London  merchant,  and  Sarah  (Hallowell)  Vaughan,  of  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts.  He  was  graduated  in  medicine  from 
Edinburgh  in  1781.  He  was  a friend  of  Franklin  and  Jef- 
ferson, and  often  corresponded  with  the  latter.  {Diet.  Am. 
Biog.  19;  233-235.)  See  letter,  Benjamin  Vaughan  to  Mrs. 
Martha  Randolph,  June  23,  1819. 

* This  entry  has  been  removed  from  page  56  of  the  Garden 
Book  and  inserted  here  in  proper  chronological  order. 

^ Anguilla  bostoniensis,  the  American  eel,  is  often  used  for 
food. 

* John  Hartwell  Cocke  (September  19,  1780— July  i,  1866), 
planter,  publicist,  was  born  in  Surry  County,  Virginia.  He 
attended  the  College  of  William  and  Mary  (l794-i799)> 
and  about  1803  settled  at  Bremo,  his  country  estate,  in  Fluv- 
anna County,  Virginia.  During  the  War  of  1812  he  rose 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


58s 


1819] 

from  a captain  to  a brigadier-general.  He  was  a progressive 
agriculturist  and  interested  in  varied  public  improvements. 
Jefferson  and  Mr.  Cocke  were  friends  and  neighbors.  When 
Jefferson  was  founding  the  University  of  Virginia,  Mr.  Cocke 
played  a conspicuous  part  in  the  building  program.  {Diet. 
Am.  Biog.  4:  253-254.)  (For  Jefferson’s  estimate  of  Gen- 
eral Cocke,  see  letter,  Jefferson  to  John  David,  January  13, 
1816.) 

* Crambe  maritima  L.  Sea  kale. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1819 

(Jefferson  to  Joel  Yancey.) 

Monticello  Jan.  17.  19. 

...  1 shall  be  very  glad  to  receive  the  latter  peas  I liked  so  much 
the  last  year  and  hope  Nace  has  saved  me  a full  sowing  of  them.  ...  I 
will  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  send  by  Jerry  the  Athenian  poplars  in  the 
nursery  of  the  garden,  you  will  know  them  by  the  stem  being  ribbed, 
which  distinguish  them  from  the  Lombardy  poplars  & aspens  in  the 
same  place.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Abraham  Lange  [=Laage].) 

Monticello  Jan.  24.  19 

Th:  Jefferson  presents  his  compliments  to  M'.  Lange  and  his  thanks 
for  the  two  parcels  of  beans  he  has  been  so  kind  as  to  send  him.  they 
are  safely  received,  and  are  quite  sufficient  in  quantity  to  put  him 
promptly  into  stock  and  with  his  acknolegements  for  the  favor,  he 
salutes  M.  Lange  with  esteem  & respect.  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Fontaine  Maury  to  Jefferson.) 

Washington,  Feby.  14,  1819. 

I have  lately  imported  from  England  a small  quantity  of  Talevera 
wheat,  which  was  procured  by  a particular  Friend  of  ray  Brother  from 
the  Farm  of  Sir  Watkins  Williams  Wynne  of  Wynnstay,  Wales,  who 
is  estimated  to  be  one  of  the  most  celebrated  agriculturists  in  that  Coun- 
try, and  as  you,  at  least,  have  the  reputation  of  being  a zealous  pro- 
moter of  that  Science,  in  this,  I have  taken  the  liberty  to  transmit  to 
you  for  trial  a small  partition  of  what  I have  remaining.  You  also  have 
a description  of  its  properties,  to  which  I am  told  may  be  added  the  fa- 
vorable circumstance  of  its  maturing  ten  or  fifteen  days  earlier  than 
most  other  wheats.  My  brother  James  in  a late  letter  speaks  of  you 
with  his  usual  interest,  and  has  directed  his  son  Matthew,  to  make  you 
a call  before  he  leaves  this  Country,  which  I have  also  desired  him  to  do. 
. . . (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence:  244-245.) 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


586 


[1819 


(Jefferson  to  Fontaine  Maury.) 

Monticello  Feb.  21.  i8ig. 

. . . the  torpidity  of  age  having  detached  me  from  all  pursuits  of  that 
kind,  I have  put  it  [wheat]  into  the  hands  of  my  son  in  law,  Colo.  Ran- 
dolph, and  of  my  grandson,  our  best  farmers  in  this  neighborhood  who 
will  give  it  a fair  and  skilful  trial.  ...  be  so  kind  as  with  my  thanks 
for  the  wheat,  to  accept  for  yourself  the  assurance  of  my  great  esteem 
and  respect.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence:  245.) 


(Jefferson  to  James  Madison.) 

Monticello,  Mar.  3.  19. 

I promised  your  gardener  some  seeds  which  I put  under  a separate 
cover  and  address  to  you  by  mail.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  la:  1 16.) 


Mar.  ag,  1819 

Notes  on  the  Culture  of  the  Swedish  Turnip,  as  practised  in  Maine 
with  success. 

1.  Rich  loam,  or  black  mould  is  found  to  suit  it  best. 

a.  The  land  should  be  new,  (either  from  turning  up  the  sod,  or  from 
burnt  woods) ; or  well  manured  with  stable  manure  the  year  preceding; 
for  if  done  the  same  year,  you  will  be  troubled  with  worms  & other  in- 
sects. Plaister  of  Paris  may  be  applied  to  it,  with  great  advantage ; — 
both  by  rolling  the  seed  in  it,  & as  a top  dressing. 

3.  When  the  ground  is  well  ploughed  & harrowed,  & immediately 
after  planting  your  corn;  sow  the  turnip  seed  in  drills,  3 or  3^  feet 
asunder;  dropping  at  least  one  seed  to  every  three  inches;  in  order  to 
admit  of  some  being  destroyed,  and  still  having  enough  left  for  selec- 
tion, when  they  are  thinned  at  the  second  hoeing. 

4,  This  crop  must  be  kept  clean  by  the  hoe ; and  at  the  second  hoing, 
the  plants  in  the  rows  are  to  be  left  from  i foot  to  15  Inches  from  each 
other;  always  selecting  the  most  vigorous. 

The  success  of  this  crop  depends  much  upon  its  being  kept  clean,  & 
receiving  frequent  rains.  Should  both  these  circumstances  concur,  from 
2 to  500  bushels  may  be  expected  on  an  acre ; according  to  climate  & soil. 

In  Maine,  the  Turnip  must  be  housed  early  in  the  fall ; tho’  a slight 
frost  does  not  affect  it.  Perhaps  the  whole  crop  would  stand  out  dur- 
ing a Virginia  Winter, 

.As  food  for  cattle  & sheep,  it  should  be  used  with  a proportion  of  hay 
or  dry  fodder ; ic  not  more  than  a peck,  or  half  a bushel,  per  day,  given 
to  an  ox  weighing  800  lbs ; & in  like  proportion  to  smaller  animals.  For 
horses  & milch  cows,  the  carrot  is  preferable.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  William  J.  Coffee.) 

Monticello  May  15.  19. 

I have  been  long  indebted  to  you  for  your  letter  of  Nov.  7.  explaining 
to  me  the  nature  & character  or  the  Roman  cement,  and  Idndiy  offering 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


587 


1819] 

your  assistance  in  procuring  it.  as  the  proper  season  is  now  arrived  for 
using  it,  I wish  to  try  it  on  one  of  my  4 cisterns,  and  if  I find  we  can 
execute  it  efFectudly,  I may  then  ask  more  for  the  other  three.  I there- 
fore now  inclose  40.  D.  and  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  send  me  as  many 
barrels  of  the  cement  as  that  may  procure  to  be  forwarded  by  sea  to 
Cap‘  Bernard  Peyton  of  Richmond.  I am  particularly  thankful  for  the 
exactness  of  your  instructions  as  to  the  manipulation.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Benjamin  Vaughan  to  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph.) 

Hallowell,  June  23,  1819. 

. . . The  packet  of  Swedish  turnip  seed  was  sent,  as  desired,  with  a 
letter  from  my  eldest  son,  W“.  Oliver  Vaughan.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers, 
M.  H.  C.  i:  283.) 

(Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Monticello  Aug.  7.  1819. 

. . . We  are  still  suffering  from  the  drought  here.  Jefferson  thinks 
that  not  much  of  his  corn  is  so  far  gone  but  what  it  might  still  recover 
if  we  have  rain  soon,  the  thermometer  in  your  window  was  many  days 
at  94  the  other  one  13^....  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

From  the  Account  Book  1809-1820: 

Jan.  1.  mf.  Eppes’s  Martin  for  Thorn  haws.  50. 

Planting  Memorandum  for  Poplar  Forest,  1819: 

1819.  Apr.  23.  planted  in  the  garden  under  the  N.  wall  of  the  stable 
20.  cuttings  of  Balsam  poplars  from  mf  Radford 
(some  may  live).  {Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 


i820 


Maj  25.  bl( 


^90  Jeffjsrson’s  Garden  Book  . [1820 

^ 1820.  Jefferson’s  health  was  far  below  normal  during 
the  year.  He  wrote  to  William  Short  on  April  13; 

You  kindly  inquire  after  my  health.  There  is  nothing  in  it  immedi- 
ately threatening,  but  swelled  legs,  which  are  kept  down  mechanically, 
by  bandages  from  the  toe  to  the  knee.  These  I have  worn  for  six 
months.  But  the  tendency  to  turgidity  may  proceed  from  debility  alone. 
1 can  walk  the  round  of  my  garden ; not  more.  But  I ride  six  or  eight 
miles  a day  without  fatigue.  I shall  set  out  for  Poplar  Forest  within 
three  or  four  days;  a journey  from  which  my  physician  augurs  much 
good.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  15:  248.) 

On  September  30  he  mentioned  the  same  subject  to  his  friend, 
Charles  Pinckney,  whom  he  had  not  seen  for  twenty  years : 

Twenty  years  added  to  fifty-seven  make  quite  a different  man.  To 
threescore  and  seventeen  add  two  years  of  prostrate  health,  and  you  have 
the  old,  infirm,  and  nerveless  body  I now  am,  unable  to  write  but  with 
pain,  and  unwilling  to  think  widiout  necessity.  (Ford,  Jefferson  la : 
164.) 

But  Jefferson  was  not  idle.  In  fact,  he  was  far  more  ac- 
tive than  these  letters  would  indicate.  He  was  spending  all 
of  his  spare  hours  at  the  University,  of  which  he  wrote  to  Mr. 
Short,  in  another  part  of  the  letter  quoted  above; 

Seven  of  the  ten  pavilions  destined  for  the  professors,  and  about  thirty 
dormitories,  will  be  completed  this  year;  and  three  other,  with  six  hotels 
for  boarding,  and  seventy  other  dormitories,  will  be  completed  the  next 
year,  and  the  whole  be  in  readiness  then  to  receive  those  who  are  to 
occupy  them. 

That  he  was  building  the  University  with  the  same  earnest 
zeal  that  characterized  all  of  his  labors  is  shown  in  a letter  to 
Mr.  Correa,  written  on  October  24,  in  which  he  refers  to  “our 
University,  the  last  of  my  mortal  cares,  and  the  last  service  I 
can  render  my  country”  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  15 ; 
285). 

Jefferson  again  visited  Poplar  Forest  twice  during  the  year. 
He  was  usually  accompanied  on  these  trips  by  some  of  his 
granddaughters,  whose  presence  took  away  much  of  the  lone- 
liness that  he  suffered  when  he  was  away  from  Monticello. 

Jefferson’s  mills  became  more  active  during  the  fall  of  the 
year.  He  wrote  in  the  Account  Book  for  the  year:  “Sept.  7. 
the  elevators  of  the  mill  are  now  ready  for  taking  in  , wheat  & 
we  will  grind  next  week.”  And  on  September  30  he  wrote : 
“The  merchant  mill  began  to  grind  corn  on  the  25  inst.” 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


591 


1820] 

In  spite  of  his  much  'stiffened  wrist,  Jefferson  wrote  more 
and  more  letters.  The  plants  he  received  from  others  were 
usually  passed  on  to  his  son-in-law,  or  to  his  grandson,  Jeffer- 
son Randolph.  A few  new  varieties  of  familiar  species  occur 
in  the  Calendar  of  the  garden  for  the  year. 

Thomas  Mann  Randolph  was  now  Governor  of  Virginia, 
so  that  most  of  his  time  was  spent  at  Richmond.  Mrs.  Ran- 
dolph divided  her  time  between  Richmond  and  Monticello. 

* Thomas  Jefferson  Randolph  ( 1792—1875),  son  of  Thomas 
Mann  Randolph  and  Martha  (Jefferson)  Randolph,  and 
grandson  of  Jefferson. 

* James  Leitch  was  a prominent  merchant  of  Charlottesville, 
with  whom  Jefferson  traded  for  many  years. 

* William  J.  Coffee,  of  New  York.  See  letters,  Jefferson  to 
William  J.  Coffee,  May  15,  1819,  and  Jefferson  to  Richard 
Randolph,  May  13,  1822. 

* The  Italian  plants  named  here  probably  came  from 
Thomas  Appleton,  of  Leghorn,  Italy. 

“ This  entry  has  been  removed  from  page  56  of  the  Garden 
Book  and  inserted  here  in  proper  chronological  order. 

^ See  letter,  George  Divers  to  Jefferson,  May  3,  1820. 

Letters  and  Extract  or  Letters,  1820 

(Thomas  Appleton  to  Jefferson.) 

Leghorn  2i'‘.  January  1820. 

...  I have  inclos'd  in  the  bag  of  hemp  seed,  four  little  bundles  of  the 
white,  genlilli  wheat,  and  it  is  directed  to  the  care  of  the  Collector  of 
the  port  of  Alexandria.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers^  L.  C.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  Feb.  28,  i8ao. 

I am  sorry  I cannot  supply  you  with  all  the  pot-herbs  wanted,  we 
have  not  the  Sweet  Marjoram,  sweet  basil,  or  summer  savory.  I send 
you  some  Marjoram,  winter  savory  and  Thyme.  (Jefferson  Papers, 

M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton.) 

Monticello  Apr.  ii.  20. 

I received  in  due  time  your  favor  of  March  30.  and  on  reconsidera- 
tion of  the  subject,  have  changed  my  mind,  while  I lived  in  Washing- 
ton I received  sample  of  wheat  from  Chile,  which  I gave  to  mf  Divers 


592 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1820 

to  take  care  of.  it  proves  not  so  productive  as  our  own  but  whiter 
than  the  whitest  of  the  May  wheat,  at  the  next  harvest  I will  get  mf 
Divers  to  prepare  half  a dozen  barrels  of  that  which  sent  as  a rarity 
can  be  more  delicately  offered  in  that  character  as  well  as  for  its  su- 
perior excellency.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(George  Divers  to  Jefferson.) 

Farmington  May  3,  1820. 

My  sea  kale  plants  are  quite  too  small  to  transplant;  they  are  how- 
ever out  of  the  way  of  the  fly  & if  the  worms  don’t  destroy  them  I can 
supply  you  with  as  many  plants  as  will  make  a pretty  good  bed  in  the 
course  of  10  or  12  days.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  S.  Skinner.) 

Monticello  May  16.  20. 

I am  not  able  to  give  you  any  certain  information  of  the  Lupinella. 
mf  Appleton,  our  Consul  at  Leghorn  sent  me  some  of  the  seed,  but, 
done  at  length  with  these  things,  and  more  disposed  to  retire  from  old 
cares  than  to  undertake  new  ones,  I put  it  into  younger  hands  for  trial. 
I saw,  in  one  instance,  the  young  plants,  just  up,  and  leafed,  and  thought 
them  decisively  the  Saint  fob,  already  known  to  us,  and  so  generally 
cultivated  on  the  borders  of  the  Mediterranean,  never  having  seen  the 
term  Lupinella  in  any  book  either  of  Italian  or  other  husbandry  nor 
even  in  a dictionary  I supposed  it  to  be  the  local,  and  especially  the 
Tuscan  name  for  fob.  but  this  is  conjecture  only,  there  is  a species 
of  S*.  fob,  called  Sulla,  raised  abundantly  in  the  island  of  Malta,  where 
no  rain  falls  from  Spring  to  Autumn,  and  which  still  yields  good  crops, 
it  is  not  so  heavily  leafed  as  the  other,  but  is  very  valuable  for  countries 
subject  to  severe  droughts,  about  the  year  1785.  or  6.  I procured  the 
seed  of  this  from  Malta,  and  sent  it  to  the  Agricultural  society  of  South 
Carolina;  but  1 believe  they  found  it  less  advantageous  than  the  Guinea 
grass  and  did  not  pursue  it’s  culture.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


i82I 


iSai.t 

where 

when 

come  to 
table 

May  peas 

Lietch’s  peas 

Frame  peas 

June  4. . . . 

loaf  June  7. 

Celery 

....  11. 

lettuce  wh.  & Ice 

radishes. 

....  IC. 

spinach  summ' 

cabbage  Early  York. , 

Spinach  Sum 

. • . . 174 

Carrots 

Hotspur  pcass 

Mar.  I. 

June  4.... 

Marrow  fats,  ....... 

....  12. 

soinach 

....  IC. 

Marrow  fata . 

• • . . 11« 

SaUaiia. 

....  ai* 

Saa  Kale 

• . . . a^ 

Sum.  Spinach 

....  a7w 

Orach.*. 

....  ao. 

Oniotia 

Naaturdum 

same  bed 

— 30. 

Apr.  3. 
....  7* 

Tomataa.  both 

Murpw  fats  \ 

Leitch’s  latter/ 

Snaps.  

June  7.... 
....  ao. 
June  43. 

....  18. 

aquaahea 

scarlet  beans. 

....  la 

white  haricots 

ImiiMWi 

innmni 

Miscellaneous 


Mu.  1.  up.  Mar.  19.  com. 
pleatly  killed,  thermom. 

40® 

Mu.  19.  compleatly 
killed. 

Mu.  19.  lulled  BO  as  to 
make  seed  only,  a few 
only  came  to  table 


Feb.  41.*  planted  7.  moun- 
tain raspberries  in  the  up. 
permost  raspberry  terras. 

these  run  to  seed. 

Mu.  46.  up.  May  6. 

blossom. 

ar.  up 


July  14.  last  dish. 
May  46.  blossom. 


593 


594 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[iSri 


i8ai.i 

where 

when 

come  to 
table 

Miscellaneous 

a.  kinds  of  peas.  LietcK 
Marrow  fats  \ 

....  16. 

Leitch's  latter/ 

White  h&ricots 

....  ao. 

long  haricots 

May  7. 
....  lo. ' 

snspa 

squashes 

June  ai.  j 

Sep.  17. 
Sep.  36. 

Sea  Kale. . . . : 

\ 

Spinach  winter 

Lettuce  Dutch  B 

Sea  kale 

/ 

^ iSzT.  Jefferson's  health  was  greatly  Improved  this  year. 
His  life,  accordingly,  became  more  active.  He  wrote  to  his 
old  friend,  Lafayette,  on  March  22:  “My  health  is  better,  but 
not  good,  so  weak  as  not  to  walk  further  than  my  garden, 
but  I ride  with  little  fatigue”  (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspond- 
ence: 259 ) . By  November  24  he  was  writing  to  Mr.  William 
Short  in  a much  more  buoyant  spirit: 

Your  welcome  favor  of  the  12^  came  to  hand  two  days  ago.  I was 
just  returned  from  Poplar  Forest,  which  I have  visited  four  times  this 
year.  I have  an  excellent  house  there,  inferior  only  to  Monticello,  am 
comfortably  fixed  and  attended,  have  a few  good  neighbors,  and  pass 
my  time  there  in  a tranquility  and  retirement  much  adapted  to  my  age 
and  indolence.  You  so  kindly  ask  an  explanation  of  the  illness  which 
held  me  so  long  that  I feel  it  a du^  to  give  it.  Having  been  long  sub- 
ject to  local  and  slight  affections  of  rheumatism,  and  being  at  Staunton 
on  other  business,  I thought  I would  go  to  the  Warmsprings  and  eradi- 
cate the  seeds  of  it,  for  I was  then  in  perfect  health.  I used  the  bath 
moderately  for  three  week.  I was  not  quick  enough,  however,  in  ob- 
serving the  gradual  debility  it  was  bringing  on  me.  At  length  it  pro- 
duced a general  eruption  and  imposthume.  After  a painful  journey  1 got 
hoine  unable  to  walk  without  help,  and  the  debility  and  indisposition 
rapidly  increased  and  reduced  me  to  death’s  door.  Swelled  legs  began 
to  threaten  dropsy,  aided  by  a prostration  of  the  visceral  powers.  Aban- 
doning medicine,  however,  and  fortifying  my  legs  by  bandages  con- 
tinued 8 or  10  months,  1 am  at  length  entirely  recovered,  and  suppose 
myself  as  well  as  I ever  shall  be.  I am  very  little  able  to  walk„but  ride 
freely  without  fatigue.  No  better  proof  than  that  on  a late  visit  to  the 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1821] 


595 


Natural  Bridge  I was  six  dajre  successively  on  horseback  from  breakfast 
to  sunset.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H,  C.  i:  307-308.) 

The  renewed  activity  that  Jefferson  was  enjoying  was  de- 
voted mainly  to  the  new  University.  Little  time  was  alloted 
to  the  garden.  The  routine  Calendar  of  the  garden  was  set 
down  in  the  Garden  Book,  with  a few  new  varieties  added. 
He  did  manage,  Jiowever,  to  make  four  visits  to  Poplar  Forest. 

Repairs  on  the  cisterns  were  made  in  the  fall  of  the  year. 
Jefferson  received  the  Roman  cement  ordered  from  Mr.  Coffee 
and  paid  on  September  29  “Chisolm’s  Lewis  gratuity  for 
cistern  i.  D.” 

Early  in  the  year  Jefferson  wrote  to  Joel  Yancey,  his  over- 
seer at  Poplar  Forest,  that  he  had  now  placed  his  grandson, 
Jefferson  Randolph,  in  charge  of  all  of  his  plantations.  Be- 
fore this  year  Jefferson  had  continued  to  supervise  the  planta- 
tion at  Poplar  Forest,  while  his  grandson  attended  to  those  in 
Albemarle  County. 

Jefferson’s  letters  generally  were  fdwer  this  year,  owing  no 
doubt  to  his  increased  activity  and  the  difficulty  of  writing 
with  a stiffened  wrist. 

* See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Trist,  February  21,  1821. 


Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1821 

(Isaac  A.  Coles  to  Jefferson.) 

Clarksville,  Pike  County,  Missouri. 

Feby  15“*.  1821. 

1 send  you  enclosed  a specimen  of  WUd  Hemp  which  I find  in  great 
abundance  on  many  parts  of  my  Land.  We  have  collected  a sufficient 
quantity  of  it  for  idl  our  purposes,  and  find  that  it  makes  a much 
stronger  rope  than  the  Hemp  of  Virginia,  the  stem  is  generally  of  the 
size  of  ones  finger,  and  from  5 to  10  feet  in  height,  it  is  a perennial 
Plant,  delights  in  low,  moist,  rich  land,  and  yields  fully  as  well  (I 
think)  as  the  common  hemp.  The  seeds  are  small,  resembling  very 
much  the  seed  of  the  Yellow  Jessamine  but  larger  and  more  full,  and 
are  contained  in  pods  on  the  top  of  the  Plant,  as  these  burst  open  in  the 
early  part  of  winter,  I have  not  been  able  to  procure  any  of  the  seed  to 
send  you.  The  specimen  enclosed  was  [taken?]  from  a stalk  which  I 
yesterday  cut  in  the  woods  and  prepared  as  you  see  it,  by  merely  rubbing 
it  between  my  fingers  & then  combing  it  straight  with  my  pocket  comb. 
It  has  stood  out  exposed  in  the  woods  the  whole  winter.  As  there  is 
now  nothing  remaining  of  this  Plant,  but  the  naked  stem  and  the  roote 
(whi<^  are  exceedingly  numerous)  it  will  be  difficult  to  class  it,  but  it 


' Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


596 


[1821 


does  not  appear  to  me  to  resemble  at  all  either  Hemp  or  flax.  What- 
ever it  may  be,  it  must,  I think,  prove  a Plant  of  great  value.  The 
strength,  delicacy,  softness  & whiteness  of  the  fibre,  will  no  doubt  be 
greatly  improved  by  being  cut  at  the  proper  time,  & healed  in  a proper 
manner,  & being  a perennial,  when  once  sowed  it  will  last  for  ages,  and, 
may  be  cut  with  as  little  trouble  as  a timothy  meadow.  I do  not  dispair 
still  of  being  able  to  procure  a few  of  the  seed,  and  if  I succeed  they  shall 
be  forward^  to  you.  An  inch  or  two  of  the  top  of  the  Plant,  with  two 
pods  are  also  inclosed.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton.) 

Monticello  Feb.  20.  21. 

...  I am  in  want  of  some  earthen  pots  for  covering  plants  of  Sea 
Kale  in  the  garden.  I am  told  they  are  made  at  a Pottery,  in  or  near 
Richmond,  will  you  get  me  i hundred.  ...  I must  also  request  you 
to  get  from  some  of  the  seed-dealers  4.  oz.  green  curled  Savory  seed  and 
forward  it  by  mail  in  a letter.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Trist.) 

Monticello  Feb.  21.  21. 

I am  very  thankful  my  dear  Madam  for  Miss  Polly  Mark’s  kind  at- 
tention to  my  wishes  for  the  Mountain  raspberry,  and  I pray  you  give 
her  that  assurance.  I now  send  for  them.  . . . Mrs.  Randolph  is  to 
try  the  flowering  bean,  we  were  unlucky  as  to  fail  last  year  in  saving 
the  seed  of  the  green  Curled  Savory,  if  mf  Divers  has  any  to  spare  I 
shall  be  much  obliged  to  him  for  a little.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M. 
H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  General  John  H.  Cocke.) 

Monticello  Mar.  xa.  1821. 

Our  last  mail  brought  me  a letter  from  mf  Rodney  and  the  inclosed 
seeds  of  pumpkin  and  asparagus  for  you.  ...  if  you  have  any  Sea-Kale 
seed  to  spare  I will  thank  you  for  some  to  replenish  my  bed.  they  had 
better  come  by  mail  dispat^.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  H.  Cocke.) 

Monticello  Apr.  i.  21.  Sunday  Morn. 

...  1 return  you  many  thanks  for  the  carp  and  for  the  Kale  seed  you 
were  so  kind  as  to  send  and  salute  you  with  affectionate  esteem  and  re- 
spect. . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  U,  Va.) 

(Jefferson  to  Jonathan  Thompson.) 

Monticello,  June  25,  21. 

I am  thankful  to  you  for  your  notice  of  the  14th  respecting  a box  of 
seeds.  This  comes  from  the  King's  garden  at  Paris.  They  send  me  a 


Jepperson's  Garobk  Book 


1821] 


597 


box  annually,  depending  on  my  applying  it  for  the  public  benefit.  I 
have  generally  had  them  delivered  for  a public  garden  at  Philadelphia 
or  to  Dr.  Hosack  for  the  Botanical  Garden  at  N.  York.  I am  inclined 
to  believe  that  he  now  receives  such  an  one  from  the  same  place.  If  he 
does  not,  be  so  good  as  to  deliver  it  to  him,  but  if  of  no  use  to  him  let  it 
come  to  Richmond  to  the  care  of  Capt  Bernard  Peyton  my  corre- 
spondent there,  and  your  note  of  any  expense  attending  it  will  be  im- 
mediately replaced  either  by  him  or  myself.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
Missouri.) 


(Samuel  Maverick  to  Jefferson.) 

Montpelier,  Pendleton  Disti  So:  Carolina, 

Augt.  II,  i8ai. 

For  many  years  past  I have  been  in  the  habit  of  Cultivating  the  Grape 
Vine  and  with  various  Success,  owing  to  some  cause  or  other  they  verry 
generally  Rotted,  and  which  has  ailmost  allways  happened  Just  at  the 
moment  as  it  were  when  they  have  attained  their  full  size,  they  then 
take  a drab  Coloured  spot  on  one  side  which  spreads  in  a few  days  over 
the  Grape  and  has  the  appearance  of  being  scalded  and  in  that  state  they 
readily  part  from  the  Vine,  that  is  they  are  easily  shook  of,  this 
phenominon  is  most  comon  to  the  large  Dark  purple  or  Black  Grape, 
the  white  Chasilas  and  several  other  Kinds  of  Grape  are  infested  with 
the  same  Brown  spot,  drys  a way  flatning  on  one  side,  and  the  Branches 
fall  off.  I have  a Valuable  Grape  now  in  Bearing,  which  is  said  to  have 
been  procured  from  you  some  years  past  it  has  made  its  appearance  in 
this  part  of  the  Country  or  Rather  I have  procured  it  in  two  ways  One 
from  Col : Hawkins  from  the  Creek  Nation,  and  ia  another  from  a Mr. 
Booth  from  Virginia  this  has  ripened  well  and  is  a good  Bearer,  I now 
have  Inclosed  two  Leaves  from  that  Vine  in  order  that  you  may  be  better 
inabled  to  give  me  Information  what  grape  it  is,  and  where  Imported 
from,  for  several  reasons.  One  of  which  is  to  compair  the  similarity  of 
Effect  in  perhaps  different  Latitudes,  and  for  a further  Importation  of 
Vines,  the  Bunches  on  this  Vine  contain  generally  from  20  to  40  Grapes, 
and  after  attaining  i to  | Inch  in  Diameter,  they  turn  light  Coloured, 
then  gradually  assume  the  Colour  of  Madarah  wine  or  light  brick 
Colour,  the  Grape  is  nearly  round,  flattened  a little  at  the  ends,  and 
rather  most  at  the  stem,  the  fruit  is  verry  Excelent,  but  leaves  a verry 
slight  astringent  tast  in  the  skin. 

I am  in  Latitude  34.20  the  Land  lays  pleasantly  Rolling,  perhaps  one 
of  the  Best  watered  Countrys  in  America,  about  30  miles  below  the 
Table  Mountain  which  forms  part  of  the  Great  Chain  running  threw 
this  Continent  our  soil  is  various,  and  in  my  particular  neighbourhood 
and  farm  we  have  a mixture  of  sand  and  Black  Loom  from  4 to  12 
Inches  on  a Greasy  Red  Retentive  Clay,  on  which  I have  tryed  various 
Methods  to  Cultivate  the  Vine,  on  Arbours,  Aspilliers  and  frames  2^ 
foot  high  training  them  Horisontally,  but  I find  to  train  them  on  Poles 
about  10  foot  high,  running  them  up  in  single  stems  and  Exposing  them 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


598 


[1821 


to  the  Sun  and  air,  answers  best  with  me  and  occasionally  pulling  off  the 
Leaves,  on  a Gradual  South  Exposiour,  I have  Laid  of  Horisontal  Beds 
5 foot  wide,  with  10  foot  space  Between  from  which  I have  taken  off  all 
the  Soil,  I carted  on  Top  soil,  Cow  manure  and  sand  on  the  Beds  and 
Incorporated  them  with  a Portion  of  the  Clay  and  soil  from  2^  to  3 
foot  deep,  and  planted  one  Row  of  Vines  about  fa  to  8 foot  apart  on 
Each  Bed,  in  this  way  alone  I have  been  inabled  to  rase  the  Large  Black 
Grape,  which  has  allmost  invariably  rotted  in  every  other  way,  the  only 
appology  I have  to  offer  for  this  paper  to  you  is  the  Emence  Importance 
to  this  Country  in  the  Introduction  of  a New  and  Valuable  Article  of 
Commerce,  as  well  as  a most  delicious  and  agreeable  fruit,  the  Introduc- 
tion of  which  may  perhaps  ameliorate  the  awful  effects  of  spiritual 
Liquor.  I have  in  my  Colection  a Small  Grape  in  Tolerable  size 
Bunches  say  d to  ^ lb  in  weight  which  Ripens  well,  very  sweet  and  de- 
licious flavour,  wild  grapes  are  plenty  and  Consist  of  the  Large  Black 
Muscadine  small  thin  Leaf  groes  on  Rich  Bottom  Lands — Fox  Grape 
Black  Red  and  White — the  summer  Grape  on  high  land  the  small 
winter  Grape  on  water  Courses  and  a new  kind  I have  just  discovered, 
but  some  what  similar  to  the  summer  Grape  and  I supose  of  that  kind 
the  Bunches  and  Berrys  Larger  ripens  well,  if  there  is  any  thing  in  this 
way,  which  strikes  your  fancy,  you  will  please  to  order  me  to  whom  and 
where  I shall  send  them  by  way  of  Charleston  to  you,  to  which  place  I 
will  forward  them  by  a waggon. 

1 shall  consider  it  a great  favour  for  any  Information  Relitive  to  the 
Grape  Vine  as  to  Soil,  Manure,  Climate,  Exposier,  prooning,  Kinds,  or 
any  thing  else,  I once  had  the  pleasure  of  speaking  to  you  on  the  Road, 
my  Unde  Wm.  Turpin  and  mysdf  met  you  in  passing  through  Virginia 
on  our  way  to  Carolina  about  13  years  ago,  since  when  he  has  settled 
himself  at  New  Rotchcll  New  York. 

are  they  not  Various  other  plants  that  might  be  Introduced  for  the 
great  Convenience  and  Cumfort  of  the  Inhabitance  of  this  wide  Ex- 
tended Country,  even  Tea  and  other  Luxerys  to  sasiate  the  avoricc  of 
Comerce,  or  at  leak  to  spair  the  Ne[ce]essity  of  the  Millions  yearly  Ex- 
pended in  protecting  the  Introduction  of  scarce  articles  which  we  might 
have  in  great  profusion  at  home,  it  appears  to  me  that  there  is  no  Excuse 
Except  to  keep  yp  a nursery  of  seamen  and  follow  the  old  plan  of  those 
Nations  of  Europe  differently  situated  from  us,  they  from  Nc[ce]ssity 
have  become  Amphibious,  but  we  are  Land  Animals,  and  will  perhaps 
indanger  our  political  Existence  by  following  them  too  far  into  the 
water.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence;  261-26^.) 

From  the  Account  Book  iSzi-'iSzd: 

Sept.  16.  p^.  Nace  for  bringing  up  pots  for  sea  Kale  2.  D.  [See  letter, 
Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton,  February  20,  1821.] 

Sept.  29.  Chisolm’s  Lewis  gratuity  for  cistern  i.  D. 


i822 


1824.» 


where 


when 


come  to 
table 


Lettuce  wh,  & Ice. 

Spinach  Summer. . 

May  peas.. 

peas  [torn  Leitch . . 


Frames. 


Hotspurs. 


jsubmural 

submural 
bord.  I-V 


Feb.  23. 
Feb.  45. 


March  a.  potted*  30.  plants 
of  sea-kale  ay.  old  complect. 


beet 

Savoys. 

Sprout  Kale 

Hotspurs 

Marrow  fats 

beets 

carrots 

okra 

orach 

Spinach 

nasturdum 

saisafy. 

snaps 

Span,  tomatas 

Marrow  fats, 

long  haricots 

Lima  beans 

scarlet  beans 

marrow  fats 

snaps 

Limas.  G.  D * 

quashes.  Dearb  . 
Cucumbers  frame. . . 
d®.  forward  Bank.*. . 

white  haricots 

cucumb.  long  green. 

Gerkins 

snaps 


lettuce.  T.B.  & D.B.‘ 
Spinach  winter,; .... 
mustard  i D.  Hig*. . 

Dutch  brown 

^inach  winter. 

Dutch  brown 

^inach  winter 

Dutch  brown 

Spinach 


. . . . 26. 
Mar.  6. 


Mar.  9.  up.  Apr.  22.  blossom 
Mar.  10.  up  Apr.  aj 
blossom 
Apr.  26. 
blossom. 

Apr.  27. 
blossom 


Mar.  n.  up. 


II. 


16. 


aj, 


. 49, 
Apr.  ii 


*5- 


21. 


July  15. 


June  15. 


*3' 

30' 


May  6. 
Aug.  26. 

Sep.  2. 
Sep.  9 


30. 

30. 


partly  lulled  by  frost  Apr.  22, 
July  6.  gone. 


sowed  3.  beds 


599 


6oo  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1822 

^ 1822.  A few  extracts  from  letters  written  during  the 
year  give  a pretty  clear  picture  of  Jefferson  and  what  he  was 
doing.  His  interests  and  complaints  were  the  same  as  in  the 
previous  years.  He  wrote  to  Samuel  Maverick,  of  South 
Carolina,  on  May  12: 

Age,  debility  and  decay  of  memory  have  for  some  time  withdrawn  me 
from  attention  to  matters  without  doors,  the  grape  you  inquire  after  as 
having  gone  from  this  place  is  not  now  recollected  by  me.  as  some  in 
my  vineyard  have  died,  others  have  been  substituted  without  noting 
which,  so  that  at  present  all  are  unknown,  that  as  good  wines  will  be 
made  in  America  as  in  Europe  the  Scuppernon  of  North  Carolina  fur- 
nishes sufficient  proof,  the  vine  is  congenial  to  every  climate  in  Europe 
from  Hungary  to  the  Mediterranean,  and  will  be  bound  to  succeed  in 
the  same  temperatures  here  wherever  tried  by  intelligent  vignerons.  the 
culture  however  is  more  desirable  for  domestic  use  than  profitable  as  an 
occupation  for  market,  in  countries  which  use  ardent  spirits  drunken- 
ness is  the  mortal  vice;  but  in  those  which  make  wine  for  common  use 
you  never  see  a drunkard.  (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence:  270-271.) 

On  October  29,  in  a letter  addressed  to  Albert  Gallatin, 
Jefferson  wrote : 

Our  University  of  Virginia,  my  present  hobby,  has  been  at  a stand  for 
a twelve-month  past  for  want  of  funds.  . . . The  institution  is  so  far 
advanced  that  it  will  force  itself  through.  So  little  is  now  wanting  that 
the  first  liberal  Legislature  will  give  it  its  last  lift.  (Ford,  Jefferson 
13 : 263.) 

And  to  Mr.  Henry  Dearborn  he  wrote : “Our  Virginia  Univer- 
sity is  now  my  sole  occupation”  (Ford,  Jefferson  12:  265). 
On  October  28  he  sent  the  following  message  to  the  Marquis 
de  Lafayette : 

On  our  affairs  little  can  be  expected  from  an  Octogenary,  retired 
within  the  recesses  of  the  mountains,  going  nowhere,  seeing  nobody  but 
his  own  house,  & reading  a single  newspaper  only,  & that  chiefly  for  the 
sake  of  the  advertisements.  ...  I learn  with  great  pleasure  that  you 
enjoy  good  health.  Mine  is  nlso*good  altho’  I am  very  weak.  I can- 
not wrik  further  than  my  garden  wthout  fatigue.  But  I am  still  able 
to  ride  on  horseback,  and  it  is  my  only  exercise.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson 
13:  259-261.) 

In  early  spring  Jefferson  received  six  barrels  of  hydraulic 
cement  from  Richard  Randolph,  for  further  repairs  on  his 
cisterns.  This  cement  proved  to  be  useless,  so  Jefferson  con- 
tinued to  use  Roman  cement.  (See  letters,  Jefferson  to 


iSaa]  Jefferson's  Garden  Book  6oi 

Richard  Randolph,  May  13,  1822,  and  Randolph  to  Jefferson, 
May  30,  1822.)  On  June  14  Jefferson  wrote  to  William 
Coffee  a more  encouraging  message  about  the  cisterns: 

Our  a®  cistern  answers  well,  having  now  4.  f.  3.  I.  water,  the  last 
(or  3^.)  has  but  2.  ft,  altho  it  has  exactly  the  corresponding  & equal 
area  of  roof  to  supply  it.  I think  the  fault  may  be  in  the  gutters  con- 
veying the  water,  & shall  have  that  examined.  (Jefferson  Papers,  M. 
H.  S.)  [See  Appendix  II.] 

In  October  Jefferson  lost  Edmund  Bacon,  the  most  efficient 
overseer  who  had  served  him  in  that  capacity.  After  serving 
Jefferson  as  overseer  since  1806  and  before  that  working  for 
him  in  various  jobs,  Bacon  decided  to  settle  in  Kentudcy.  Jef- 
ferson highly  esteemed  Bacon,  and  when  the  latter  had  gone 
to  Missouri  in  1818,  to  search  out  a place  to  settle,  Jefferson 
gave  him  the  following  recommendation: 

The  bearer,  Mr.  Edmund  Bacon,  has  lived  with  me  twelve  years  as 
manager  of  my  farm  at  Monticello.  He  goes  to  the  Missouri  to  look 
out  for  lands  to  which  he  means  to  remove.  He  is  an  honest,  correct 
man  in  his  conduct,  and  worthy  of  confidence  in  his  engagements.  Any 
information  or  instruction  which  any  person  may  give  him,  will  be 
worthily  bestowed ; and  if  he  should  apply  particularly  to  Gov.  Clarke 
on  his  way,  the  Governor  will  especially  oblige  me  by  imparting  to  him 
his  information  and  advice.  (Pierson,  Monticello:  22—23.) 

On  November  12  Jefferson  had  the  misfortune  to  fall  down 
a flight  of  terrace  steps,  breaking  his  left  arm  near  the  wrist. 
Fortunately  the  bones  knitted  rapidly,  but  owing  to  excessive 
swelling,  he  was  never  able  to  use  his  arm  again  with  perfect 
freedom.  Both  of  his  arms  were  now  incapacitated. 

Jefferson  made  only  one  trip  to  Poplar  Forest  during  the 
year,  the  visit  lasting  from  May  14  to  May  28. 

Nothing  new  appeared  in  the  garden  this  year.  The  Calen- 
dar was  kept  as  usual. 

* See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton,  February  20,  1821. 

* George  Divers,  of  Farmington,  AJbemarle  County. 

‘Mrs.  Henry  Dearborn,  second  wife  of  General  Henry 

Dearborn.  See  her  letter  to  Jefferson,  December  16,  1815. 

* Mrs.  Anne  Cary  (Randolph)  Bankhead, 

* T.  B.,  Tennis  Ball;  D.  B.,  Dutch  Brown  lettuce. 

^ David  Higginbotham,  of  Morven,  Albemarle  County. 


6o2  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1822 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1822 

(Jefferson  to  John  W.  Eppes.) 

^onticello  Jan.  17.  1822. 

...  I send  mis  Eppes  2.  trees  of  the  most  beautiful  kinds  known. 
The  tallest  is  the  silk  tree  from  Asia,  it  will  require  housing  about  2. 
years  more  and  will  then  bear  the  open  air  safely,  the  mother  tree 
growing  here,  about  15.  years  old  and  25.  f.  high  & still  growing 
vigorously  has  stood  winters  which  have  killed  my  Azederacs  & mul- 
berries. the  other  is  the  celebrated  Sou;  wood  of  Louisiana  which  may 
be  planted  in  the  spring  where  it  is  to  stand  as  it  bears  our  climate  per- 
fectly. it  bears  a fruit  of  the  size  and  appearance  of  an  orange,  but  not 
eatable.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

(Samuel  Maverick  to  Jefferson.) 

Montpelier,  Pendleton  District, 
So:  Carolina,  March  4th,  1822. 

I wrote  you  the  inclosed  Letter  nth  Augt.  last,  but  having  in  a few 
days  after  to  go  to  Alabama,  it  was  neglected  until  my  return,  and  now 
take  the  Liberty  to  forward  it,  making  enquiry  respecting  the  Grape 
Vine.  [See  letter,  Maverick  to  Jefferson,  August  ii,  1821.] 

would  not  the  Tea  plant  and  the  Bread  fruit  Tree  be  Valuable  to 
those  people  who  will  indure  the  long  tedious  warm  summers  of  Ala- 
bama, etc.  there  cotton  grows  so  Luxuriantly  as  to  produce  6 to  1200 
lbs.  and  in  some  instances  1500  to  2000  lbs  cotton  in  the  Seed  per  Acre 
(Green  Seed). 

the  Cultivation  of  the  Vine  has  commenced  on  the  Black  warrior 
River  by  the  Settlement  of  Frenchmen,  but  with  what  success  I am  un- 
able to  say,  as  I did  not  go  so  low  by  70  miles,  I saw  several  of  the 
frenchmen.  they  appear  confident  of  success  of  the  Vine,  in  So.  Ca. 
at  Charleston  the  olive  Tree  looks  helthy  and  well  and  some  years  pro- 
duces fruit. 

any  Ideas  respecting  or  on  the  Culture  of  the  Vine,  will  be  thank- 
fully reed.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence;  269.) 

(James  "W.  Wallace  to  Jefferson.) 

Washington  April  5.  1822. 

...  In  October  1811,  I was  at  Monticello  and  well  remember  your 
account  of  a native  ^ape  like  our  common  Fox  grape.  I have  ever-since 
extended  my  enquiries  and  have  only  of  late  been  able  to  procure  some 
cuttings  for  you  which  I obtained  in  New  York  under  the  name  of  bland 
grape,  carried  there  from  Philadelphia  which  flourishes  equally  well  in 
either  City.  To  these  I add  soine,  given  to  me  on  the  Delaware  in  the 
Steam  boat,  said  to  have  been  introduced  by  Joseph  Bonaparte  from 
France,  called  Muscatel—tho  account  of  their  qualities  so  exactly  re- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1822] 


603 


sembles  the  one  I heard  you  give  that  I am  induced  to  believe  tis  a 
favorite  grape  with  you,  but,  have  no  recollection  of  the  name  you  gave 
it.  These  will  be  given  to  Mr.  Nelson  of  Albemarle  to  whose  polite- 
ness on  this  occasion  their  safe  arrival  will  depend — they  I expect  will 
be  well  secured.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Jefferson  to  Richard  Randolph.) 


Monticello  May  13.  1822. 

^ Your  favor  of  Apr.  10.  was  received  in  due  time  as  had  been  some 
time  before  the  6.  barrels  of  water  proof  cement  from  you.  I had  al- 
ready laid  in  as  much  Roman  cement  as  did  my  a*.  & s'*.  Cisterns,  with 
a barrel  surplus  towards  the  4“  and  last,  the  2^.  and  3®.  were  done 
under  the  superintendance  of  mr  Coffee,  and  with  perfect  success,  we 
opened  a barrel  of  yours  and  he  tried  several  fair  and  careful  experi- 
ments according  to  the  directions  you  had  given,  in  every  instance  this 
cement  dissolved  on  being  put  into  water,  while  we  saw  that  the  Roman 
became  immediately  set  and  hard  on  being  put  into  water.  I have  still 
one  cistern  to  finish,  but  after  the  unsuccessful  trials  by  mf  Coffee  who 
understood  the  manipulation  of  these  things  so  much  better  than  I do,  I 
am  afraid  to  risk  it  with  yours,  it  would  be  giving  up  a finishing  of 
the  success  of  which  we  are  certain  for  one  which  our  experience  teaches 
us  to  doubt  at  least,  there  is  no  call  at  the  University  for  any  thing  of 
the  kind  nor  could  I recommend  to  that  what  I am  afraid  to  try  myself, 
in  this  state  of  things  I will  make  any  disposition  of  the  6.  barrels  you 
will  direct,  but  seeing  no  probability  of  their  being  employed  in  this 
neighborhood,  I think  the  best  would  be  to  send  them  down  to  you, 
which  I will  do  if  you  think  so  also.  I do  not  know  whether  you  con- 
tinue your  pottery,  if  you  do  I will  request  of  you  50.  pots  for  the  sea- 
kale  such  as  you  saw  here,  which  indeed  are  made  on  the  exact  model  of 
mf  Wickham’s,  if  delivered  packed  in  hogsheads  to  the  order  of  Col**. 
Peyton,  he  will,  on  sight  of  this  letter,  pay  for  them.  . . . {Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Richard  Randolph  to  Jefferson.) 

Richmond  30®  May  1822. 

The  six  barrels  of  hydraulic  cement  were  sent  to  you  with  a belief 
that  they  would  answer  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  intended,  and  be 
useful  to  you  in  the  construction  of  your  cisterns.  I am  sorry  that  you 
are  afraid  to  hazard  the  success  of  it  in  the  cistern,  and  request  you  to 
use  them  in  any  way  that  you  may  think  proper.  Perhaps  you  may  have 
occasion  to  use  it  at  the  Mill.  Maj*^  Gibbon  has  a cistern  laid,  and 
lined,  with  that  cement,  which,  after  standing  ten  days,  was  filled,  and  is 
now  getting  quite  hard,  and  holds  water  perfectly.  I have  given  direc- 
tions for  your  bleaching  pots  to  be  made,  and  as  soon  as  thqr  are  done, 
shall  be  delivered  to  Col®.  Peyton.  • . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


f • s 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


604 


[1822 


(Jefferson  to  John  Adlum.) 

Monticello  June  13.  22. 

...  I am  very  glad  to  learn  that  you  are  pushing  that  culture,  and  I 
hope  5'ou  will  particularly  that  of  what  I would  call  the  Caumartin 
grape,  as  it’s  wine  resembles  so  exactly  that  of  the  Caumartin  Burgundy. 
I presume  you  know  that  a wine  of  remarkable  merit  is  made  in  con- 
siderable quantities  in  a district  of  N.  Carolina  on  the  Scuppernon 
Creek.  . . . (Jeffetson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


(Bernard  Peyton  to  Jefferson.) 

Richmond,  July  8,  1822. 

I reC*  today  a small  Box  of  seeds  from  New  York.  Will  send  them 
the  first  opportunity.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers.  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  J.  Peter  Derieux.) 

Monticello  Sept.  25.  1822. 

...  I regret  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  send  you  the  Egyptian 
wheat  which  is  the  subject  of  your  letter.  I received  it  while  I lived  in 
Washington  and  having  no  means  of  taking  care  of  such  things  there,  I 
generally  sent  them  to  some  careful  neighbors.  I do  not  recollect  to 
whom  of  them  I sent  this  particular  article,  but  I remember  that  the  re- 
sult was  that  it  was  not  of  advantageous  culture  in  our  climate  & was 
therefore  abandoned.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Virginia  Randolph  to  Nicholas  Trist.) 

Monticello  October  i,  1822. 

...  We  have  had  constant  rains,  & on  the  25“  of  September  a 
violent  storm  which  strewed  the  whole  mountain  top  with  broken  boughs 
of  trees,  & tore  one  of  our  willows  completely  asunder.  . . . (Nicholas 
Trist  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  Constantine  S.  Rafinesque.) 

Monticello  Oct.  9.  22. 

Your  favor  of  Sep.  24.  is  received,  and  I thank  you  for  the  seeds  it 
covered,  too  old  to  plant  trees  for  my  own  gratification,  I shall  do  it 
for  my  posterity.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.)  [The  seeds  men- 
tioned above  were  from  the  tree  Virfilia  fragrans  l^f.] 

(Jefferson  to  N.  Herbemont) 

Monticello  Nov.  3.  22. 

...  I have  long  earnestly  wished  for  the  introduction  of  the  Olive 
into  S.  Carolina  & Georgia,  while  in  France  I procured  for  the  Agri- 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1822] 


605 


cultural  Society  of  Charleston  a number  of  plants  of  the  genuine  olive 
of  Aix,  from  which  the  finest  oil  in  the  world  is  made,  this  was  35 
years  ago,  but  I learn  that  some  of  these  trees  are  still  living  in  S.  C. 
cuttings  from  them  grafted  on  seedling  stocks  would  soon  yield  a plenti- 
ful supply  of  trees,  their  culture  is  of  little  labor,  as  is  that  of  silk 
also.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


From  the  Account  Book  1821—1826: 

July  18.  inclosed  5.  D.  to  Jonathan  Thompson  Collector  N.  Y.  to 
reimburse  2.47  for  freight  on  a box  of  seeds  from  France. 

Oct.  15.  had  a final  settlement  with  Edmund  Bacon  & paid  him  41.90 
the  balance  due  him  in  ful. 

Oct.  16.  p*.  Edm^  Bacon  20.75  more  to  correct  error  in  yesterday’s 
settlement. 

Nov.  10.  p*.  Israel  for  100  cabbages  3.  D. 

Dec.  II.  p*.  Gill  53  cabbages  1.59. 


1823 


1843' 


where 


when 


to  table 


Apr.  19.  blossom.  26.  pod 
. 22.  blossom.  28.  pod 
. 27.  blossom  May  7.  pod 


Apr.  28.  blossom  [bad  peas  and 
to  be  discontin°. 


May  peas. . 
Leitcli’s  d".. 
Frames. . . . 

lettuce 

Radish 

S.  Spinach’. 
Hotspurs . . . 


Marrow  fats. . 
Dutch  brown. 

Savoys 

early  York. . . 

Salsafia 

Carrots 

Sprout  Kale . . 
Marrow  fats. 

Spinach 

parsley 

Salsana 

parsneps 

beet 

orach 

marrow  fats. . 


Feb.  22. 


snaps 

long  haricots 

tomatas 

okra. 

nasturdum 

Limas 

Scarlets 

white  haricots. . . . 
Marrow  fats. . . . . 
forw°  Cucumbers. 

Benni 

squashes 

gerldns 

Snaps.. 

Snaps 

Dutch  brown. . . . 
winter  Spinach. . . 


May  II. 
20. 
. 21. 


Mar.  I. 

....  3- 
....  J. 
....  14. 


June  I. 
••  5- 


May  2.  blossom. 


n 


....  ig, 
, . . . 20. 
Apr.  I. 


June  1. 


3' 

A* 

14. 

*7- 


a6. 

May  to. 
Sep.  0. 
Sep.  3. 


not  a dngle  seed  produced.' 


May  10.  up 


jabundance  for  winter  & spring. 


606 


1823] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


607 


Compend  of  a Calendar  * 

Jan.  last  week,  plant  forward  potatoes. 

Feb.  I.  lettuce,  radish,  spinach,  carrots,  from  this 
time  to  Sep.  30.  sow  lettuce  every  Monday 
morning  and  radishes  with  y*  early  sowings 

13.  May  peas,  and  Frame  peas,  spinach,  celery. 

Mar.  I.  Hotspurs.  Marrow  fats,  spinach,  parsley, 
cabbage,  onions,  celery. 

15.  Marrow  fats,  carrots,  salsafia.  beet,  orach 

Apr.  I.  Marrow  fats,  snaps.  Lima  beans,  long  hari- 
cots. white  d“.  scarlet  beans,  tomatas.  okra, 
nasturtium,  orach,  parsneps.  cucumbers 

15.  Marrow  fats,  snaps,  squashes.  Jerus.  arti- 
chokes 

May.  1.  melons.  Gerkins.  Benni.  snaps 

13.  snaps. 

Aug.  1.  may  peas  for  autumn,  turneps. 

15.  carrots  for  the  spring.  Spinach  for  winter, 
snaps,  lettuce  for  winter 

Sep.  I.  sow  Spinach,  a full  crop  for  winter  use.  let- 
tuce weekly  to  Sep.  30 


^ 1S2J.  Jefferson  was  now  eighty  years  old.  His  finances 
werji  in  a deplorable  state.  Both  of  his  arms  were  so  crippled 
that  they  were  almost  useless  to  him.  His  disposition  was  to 
carry  on,  and  he  did  it  with  a brave  spirit.  His  grand- 


6o8 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1823 


(laughters  wrote  many  of  his  letters,  which  continued  to  cover 
a wide  range  of  interests.  Little  attention,  however,  was 
given  to  agricultural  matters  in  them. 

His  first  interest,  the  University  of  Virginia,  was  nearing 
its  completion.  Needless  to  say,  it  still  presented  problems. 

Jefferson’s  health  was  discouraging  in  the  spring.  He 
wrote  to  William  Short  on  March  28 ; 

The  bone  of  my  arm  is  well  knitted  and  strong,  but  the  carpal  bones, 
having  been  disturbed,  maintain  an  oedematous  swelling  of  the  hand  and 
fingers,  keeping  them  entirely  helpless  and  holding  up  no  definite  term 
for  the  recovery  of  their  usefulness.  I am  now  in  the  5 th  months  of 
this  disability.  (Ford,  Jefferson  la;  283.) 

By  November  he  was  better  and  on  the  fourth  wrote  to 
Lafayette : 

After  much  sickness,  and  the  accident  of  a broken  and  disabled  arm, 
I am  again  in  tolerable  health,  but  extremely  debilitated,  so  as  to  be 
scarcely  able  to  walk  in  my  garden.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson 
is:  494-) 

Jefferson  made  a month’s  visit  to  Poplar  Forest  in  the 
spring.  It  was  his  last  visit  to  the  estate  where  he  had  spent 
many  quiet  and  happy  months.  In  letters  written  to  Francis 
Eppes  on  May  i,  1824,  and  April  6,  1825  {q.  v.),  he  inti- 
mated proposed  trips  to  Poplar  Forest,  but  there  is  no  indica- 
tion that  he  made  them.  In  his  will  Poplar  Forest  was  left  to 
Francis  Eppes,  his  grandson.  In  October  visits  were  made  to 
James  Barbour  at  Barboursville,  and  to  Mr.  Madison  at 
Montpelier, 

In  a letter  of  May  31  to  Thomas  Leiper,  after  thanking 
him  for  millet  seed,  he  wrote: 

I shall  turn  it  over  to  my  grandson  T.  J.  Randolph,  to  whom  I have 
committed  the  management  of  the  whole  of  my  agricultural  concerns,  in 
which  I was  never  skilful  and  am  now  entirely  unequal  from  age  and 
debility.  He  had  reed,  some  seed  of  the  same  kind  from  another  quar- 
ter and  had  sowed  an  acre  & a half  by  way  of  experiment.  To  this  he 
will  add  what  you  are  so  kind  as  to  send  if  it  comes  in  time.  (Ford, 
Jefferson  la:  286-287.) 

Keeping  the  Calendar  of  the  garden  was  again  Jefferson’s 
chief  agricultural  pursuit. 

* Summer  spinach. 


Plate  XXXVI. — Ea«t  -view  of  Poplar  Forest,  showing  the  main  honae,  kitchen,  and  tmokehonse.  At  the  left  is  a portion  of  one  of  the 
two  mounds.  See  Jefferson’s  planting  plans  for  Poplar  Forest  (pp.  464, 4^5,  494,  S49>  S^S)-  (Courtesy  of  Mr.  C.  S.  Hutter,  Jr.) 


1823]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  609 

"See  letters,  Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton,  May  6,  1824, 
and  Peyton  to  Jefferson,  May  10,  1824. 

* Jefferson’s  summary  of  the  planting  dates  for  vegetables 
in  his  garden. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1823 

(Andre  Thoiiin  to  Jefferson.) 

. Paris  February  5,  1823. 

[Mr.  Thouin  sends  Jefferson  a collection  of  lo?  species  of  grains,  cere- 
als, trees,  and  legumes.  Letter  in  French.]  (Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Frank  Carr  to  Jefferson.) 

Red  Hill,  Sept.  26*^  1823. 

Instead  of  the  seed,  I send  you  three  potatoe  pumpkins.  The  two 
smallest,  I should  think  from  their  form,  are  the  most  genuine.  The 
fourth  is  a cushaw,  (my  ear  directs  the  orthography  as  I have  only  heard 
the  name,)  not  inferior,  when  thoroughly  ripe,  in  their  edible  qualities 
to  the  potatoe  pumpkin.  Both  delight  in  a light,  moist  soil,  fresh  land 
is  very  propitious  to  their  growth.  You  would  seldom  fail,  I think  to 
grow  them  successfully  in  a situation  selected  with  reference  to  the 
above  description.  . . . (Carr-Cary  Papers,  XJ.  Va.) 


1824 


1834' 


where 


when 


to  table 


May  peas. 
Frames. . . 


submuri. . 
und'shop 


Feb.  19. 
oo. 


May  34. 
May  a8. 


Apr.  ig.  1'*.  blossom. 


lettoc.  wh.  & Br,  ice* . 
radish,  leather  coal. , . 

winter  spinach 

d*. 


lettuce  wh.  & Brown. . 

Frame  peas 

Marrow  fats  G.  8t  L. , 

Green  Savoys 

Sprout  Kale. 

Marrow /ats{|^'^™/| 

Salsafia 
Carrots 
Beets. . 

Orach. . 

Spinach 


ai. 


• »S- 
Mar.  I. 


Sq.l.. 

II. 


green  Savoy 

Marrow  fats.  Richn° 
d".  small  parcel  S.C.*. 

snaps 

Lima  beans 

kmg  haricots 

scarlet  beans 

Chicle  Peas 

dwarf  Tomatas. . . 

Benni 

early  Cucumbers. . 
Marrow  fats. .... 

Snaps 

squashes 

Snaps 

Gerkins 

Nasturtium  ' 

Guinea  grass 

snaps 


W.  Spinach. . 
D.  Brown  let. 
W,  Spinach. . 
D.  Brown  let. 


3- 

5. 

30. 


..  35. 
Apr.  I. 


13, 


*5- 

31. 


May  3. 


13 

*7' 

31 


Sep.  9. 
....  15. 


May  I j, 

June  5. 
June  16. 


97- 


May  3. 

pod. 
May  0. 
pod 


May.  36.  blossom. 


from  Richmond,  very  late 


6x0 


1824]  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  61 1 

^ 1824.  Jefferson  brought  the  Garden  Book  to  its  close  in 
the  fall  of  1824.  The  culture  of  the  earth  had  been  one  of 
his  constant  joys.  The  theory  of  this  culture  had  fascinated 
him,  even  though  he  had  never  been  able  to  apply  it  profitably. 
For  the  remaining  two  years  of  his  life,  declining  health  even 
deprived  him  of  tabulating  the  garden  Calendar. 

Lafayette  visited  Monticello  in  November.  This  renewal 
of  friendship  gave  Jefferson  much  happiness.  Building  the 
University  of  Virginia  and  employing  professors  to  instruct  In 
it,  still  came  first  in  Jefferson’s  life.  The  University  opened 
its  doors  for  instruction  on  March  5,  1825.  On  April  3 fol- 
lowing, Jefferson  wrote  to  Judge  Augustus  B.  Woodward: 

Withdrawn  by  age  from  all  other  public  services  and  attentions  to 
public  things,  I am  closing  the  last  scenes  of  life  by  fashioning  and 
fostering  an  establishment  for  the  instruction  of  those  who  are  to  come 
after  us.  I hope  its  influence  on  their  virtue,  freedom,  fame  and  happi- 
ness, will  be  salutary  and  permanent.  The  form  and  distributions  of  its 
structure  are  original  and  unique,  the  architecture  chaste  and  classical, 
and  the  whole  well  worthy  of  attracting  the  Curiosity  of  a visit.  (Lips- 
comb and  Bergh,  Jefferson  16:  117.) 

Plants  and  seeds  came  from  Jefferson’s  friends  and  there 
were  also  letters  about  them.  The  year  1825  was  the  last  one 
in  which  he  ordered  seeds. 

Among  Jefferson’s  last  botanical  interests  was  the  establish- 
ment of  a botanical  garden  at  the  University  of  Virginia.  He 
wrote  to  the  Proctor,  A.  S.  Brockenbrough,  on  August  3, 
1825:  “The  botanical  garden,  after  being  laid  off  under  the 
direction  of  Dr.  Emmett,  to  be  pursued  at  all  spare  time’’  {Jef- 
ferson Papers,  L.  C.).  And  on  April  26,  1826,  he  wrote  to 
Dr.  John  P.  Emmet,  professor  of  natural  history  at  the  Uni- 
versity, about  the  introduction  of  a School  of  Botany  and  the 
details  for  establishing  a botanical  garden  in  the  University 
(see  letter,  Jefferson  to  Dr.  John  P.  Emmet,  April  27,  1826). 
The  botanical  garden  was  never  established. 

Jefferson’s  pecuniary  problems  gradually  grew  worse. 
None  of  his  plans  for  relieving  them  suceeded.  The  worry 
over  these  and  his  growing  debility  brought  his  life  to  a close 
on  July  4,  1826. 

* Lettuce,  white,  & Brown,  ice. 

* Richmond.  See  letter,  Bernard  Peyton  to  Jefferson, 
March  22,  1824. 


6i2 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1824 


* South  Carolina. 

* See  letter,  Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton,  May  6,  1824;  and 
letter,  Peyton  to  Jefferson,  May  10,  1824. 

From  the  Account  Book  1821-1826: 

July  4.1824.  drew  on  d®.  [Raphael]  for  ii._D.  my  s[u]bscript[io]n 
to  Albemarle  Agricult*,  society,  payable  to  Peter 
Minor. 

Sept.  29.  1824.  desired  him  [B.  Peyton]  also  to  deposite  in  some 
bank  of  Richm**  to  the  credit  of  Edmund  Bacon  33.  D. 
which  finally  closes  my  account  with  Bacon,  principal 
& all  interest.  See  ante.  Aug.  1823. 

From  the  Farm  Book: 

1824.  Apr.  Gen*  Cocke  says  the  Peach  tree  worm  is  hatching  all  July, 
Aug.  Sep.  and  lays  it’s  egg  immediately  on  being  hatched, 
it  may  be  seen  & taken  out  from  Mar.  to  June,  it  should 
always  be  done  before  harvest. 

Letters  and  Extracts  of  Letters,  1824,  1825,  1826 
(William  Mewburn  to  Jefferson.) 

South  East,  8 Feby.  1824. 

William  Mewburn  has  the  honour  of  presenting  to  Mr.  Jefferson  his 
highest  respects,  & hopes  for  his  excuse  in  the  liberty  taken  by  sending 
the  enclosed  to  his  care. 

The  inclosure  contains  a few  seeds  of  the  cowslip  & primrose,  reed  by 
WM  in  a letter  from  England,  it  is  believed  there  are  none  in  the 
United  States  & hoped  they  will  be  acceptable  to  Mrs.  Randolph.  ' 
They  are  enclosed  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  because  it  is  expected  the  letter 
to  him  will  receive  more  care  & attention  than  by  any  other  mode  WM 
has  been  able  to  devise.  . . . WM  has  been  lately  in  correspondence 
with  Mr.  Willis  of  Maryland  for  fruit  trees,  in  raising  of  which,  the 
Editor  of  the  American  Farmer,  states  that  Gentleman  to  have  been 
emminently  successful.  Mr.  Willis  in  his  letter,  mentions  his  high 
obligations  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  for  which  he  expresses  great  gratitude. 
(Jeffenon  Papert,  Missouri.) 

(James  Wilkinson  to  Jefferson.) 

City  of  Mexico 
March  at"*,  24. 

It  is  rather  to  gratify  curiosity  than  from  the  expectation  of  utility, 
that  I send  you  by  Mr,  M®An4rews  of  Phil*  samples  of  a few  of  the 


1824] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


613 


Seeds  of  this  Country,  to  amuse  your  Agricultural  avocations;  and  there- 
fore should  they  be  turned  either  to  pleasure  or  profit  under  your  foster- 
mg  direction,  I shall  experience  unexpected  complacency. — Should  Col. 
Randolph  be  near  you ; I will  thank  you  to  furnish  Him  specimens,  for 
experinaent,  from  the  small  stock  I send  you,  which  must  be  ascribed  to 
me  entire  destitution  of  Seeds-man  or  Shop,  in  this  filthy  monstrous  City. 
Before  I leave  the  Country  (I  would  even  it  were  Tomorrow  & for- 
ever) I will  take  measures  to  have  you  supplied  with  some  seed  Wheat, 
from  the  ensuing  Crop,  which  begins  to  invite  the  sickle  in  the  Province 
of  Puebla  the  next  month.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

Mexico,  March  2i“^  1824. 

Seed  & Grain  committed  to  the  care  of  W.  [M“]  Andrews  For 
Mr.  Jefferson. 

Chirmolla,  Avocate,  Zapote,  J Mamae  arborous,  tropi'al  Fruits. 

Beans  in  great  variety,  called  Frijol ; & composing  the  chief  aliment 
of  the  natives. 

Two  kinds  of  early  corn,  i red,  i white.  Flour  & 2 white  of  wheat. 

Gantilope  from  tierra  Galunte  [=Caliente]. 

Large  P epper,  a good  salad  the  seeds  being  removed. 

Carrots  12  inches  in  circumference — Lentilles  to  be  drilled  2 ft  apart. 

Garravanees,  a favorite  vegetable  of  the  Potage. 

Small  white  Table  Pea. 

Chilikiote  a kind  of  Pumpkin  used  as  Cucumber  for  Ragouts  when 
Young  & tender.  When  ripe  the  Entrails  cleansed  of  the  seed  & stewed 
with  Syrup  makes  a sweet  [mash]  of  this  Country, 

Large  white  Cabbage,  white  onion,  Tomata,  Beets,  Lettuce,  Arti- 
choke, Radish,  Parsly,  Turnips.  {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Bernard  Peyton  to  Jefierson.) 

Richmond,  March  22,  1824. 

On  Friday  last  I sent  you  by  a waggon,  to  Charlottesville— one  and 
an  half  Gallons  best  Marrow  Fat  Peas,  which  I hope  will  reach  you  in 
time  for  your  purposes.  By  a waggon  a few  days  prior  to  the  one  above 
referred  to,  sent  you  a Box  of  Grape  cuttings*  sent  to  my  Counting 
House,  by  Dr.  Norton  of  this  City,  without  directions,  he  tells  me  they 
were  intended  for  Jefferson  Randolph.  Please  acquaint  him  wiffi  it. 
. . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Francis  Eppes.) 

Mont[iceU]o  May  i.  24. 

...  I am  engaged  in  a piece  of  work  here  which  will  probably  de- 
tain me  till  the  next  month,  when  I hope  I may  be  able  to  pay  you  a 
short  visit,  . . . {Huntington  Library  Quarterly  6 (3)  : 355,  1943.) 


Jefferson's  Garden  Book 


614 


[1824 


(Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton.) 

Monticello  May  6.  1824. 

...  I missed  raising  Nasturtium  seed  the  last  year  and  it  is  not  to  be 
had  in  this  neighborhood,  can  your  seedsmen  furnish  it?  the  quantity 
sufficient  to  sow  a bed  of  lo  yd  & 19.  the  seed  may  come  by  mail  as  the 
season  is  passing  by.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Bernard  Peyton  to  Jefferson.) 

Richmond  May  10,  1824. 

. . . The  seed  you  write  for,  I have  procured  & just  put  them  in  the 
hands  of  Col.  Randolph,  now  on  his  way  to  Monticello,  for  you.  . . . 
(Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 


(Jefferson  to  Bernard  Peyton.) 

Monticello  May  16.  24. 

A neighborhood  debt  obliges  me  to  draw  on  you  in  favor  of  John 
Winn  for  64.85  which  I do  with  reluctance  until  we  get  tob®.  down,  or 
receive  monies  due.  M'.  Thompson  Collector  of  N.  York  has  sent  to 
your  care  for  me  a box  of  seeds  from  France  for  which  he  has  paid 
charges  I.  D.  90  c.  can  you  remit  so  small  a sum  . . . ? (Jefferson 
Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  J.  Barnes.) 

Monticello  June  3.  24. 

...  I am  quite  in  good  health  not  able  to  walk  further  than  my 
garden.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette.) 

Monticello,  Sept.  3.  24. 

...  I see  you  are  to  visit  our  Yorktown  on  the  19th  of  Oct.  My 
spirit  will  be  there,  my  body  cannot.  I am  too  much  enfeebled  by  age 
for  such  a journey.  I cannot  walk  further  than  my  garden,  with  in- 
firmities too  which  can  only  be  nursed  at  home.  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson 
la:  376.) 

(Jefferson  to  David  Gelston.) 


Mont®.  Sep.  10.  24. 

I have  duly  received  your  favor  of  the  4'\  covering  a specimen  of 
wheat,  for  which  be  pleased  to  accept  my  thanks,  withdrawn  by  age 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1824] 


615 


from  all  agricultural  attentions  I have  made  the  most  advantageous 
disposition  of  it  by  consigning  it  to  the  Agricultural  society  of  my  county, 
who  will  give  it  a fair  trial.  . . . (Jefferson  Papersj  M.  H.  S.) 


(Thomas  Appleton  to  Jefferson.) 

Leghorn  October  8,  1824. 

...  As  the  vessel  has  delayed  her  Departure,  I am  enabled  to  send 
you  a small  collection  of  garden  seeds  of  Naples,  which  though  I wrote 
for  six  months  ago,  I received,  only  yesterday,  as  they  are  all  of  this 
year.  The  herbage  of  Naples,  is  the  finest,  I have  seen  in  any  part 
of  Europe.  Their  numerous  qualities  of  Broccoli,  is  not,  anywhere 
equalled.  Their  Cauli-flowers  which  I have  seen  at  Naples,  would  not 
enter,  into  a peck-measure.  The  Fennel,  is  beyond,  every  other  vege- 
table, Delicious.  It  greatly  resembles  in  appearance  the  largest  size 
Sellery,  perfectly  white,  and  there  is  no  vegetable,  equals  it  in  flavour. 
It  is  eaten  at  Dessert,  crude,  and,  with,  or  without  Dry  Salt,  indeed,  I 
preferred  it  to  every  other  vegetable,  or  to  any  fruit.  I think  they  will 
all  thrive  in  your  dimate;  the  experiment  may  compensate  the  Labour. 
. , . No.  22.  is  the  genuine  flax  seed  of  Cremona  which  invariably  sells 
for  Double  of  all  other  flax  of  Europe  or  Africa.  It  will  be  a valuable 
acquisition,  if  it  should  thrive  in  your  climate:  of  which,  I have  little, 
or  no  Doubt.  The  Seeds  I have  perfectly  well  packed,  thus  there  can 
be  no  mixture. 


No. 

1C 

fC 

u 

it 

u 

tt 

« 


1.  Curled  cabbage. 

2.  Curled  Schiane  cabbage. 

3.  Curled  Cabbage  of  Faisinetta. 

4.  Early  cabbage. 

S-  Curled  cabbage.  Different  quality  from  3. 

6.  Broccoli  of  Palermo,  in  January. 

7.  “ “ " , in  February. 

8.  “ “ " , Feb.  7,  different  quality. 

9.  " of  March,  Naples. 

10.  “ of  Palermo,  March. 

11.  “ of  Palermo,  March,  2.  diff.  quality. 

12.  *'  of  Romani,  March. 

13.  " of  October. 

14.  “ of  December. 

15.  " Black. 

16.  *'  of  Florence. 

17.  Cauliflower  of  February. 

18.  “ of  March. 

19.  " of  December. 

20.  Fennel  of  April, 

21.  “ of  December. 

22.  Cremona  flax-seed.  , \ 

(Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 


6i6 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1824 


(Jefferson  to  Edward  Livingston.) 

Monticello,  March  25,  1825. 

. . . Worn  down  by  time  in  bodily  strength,  unable  to  walk  even 
into  my  garden  without  too  much  fatigue.  . . . (Lipscomb  and  Bergh, 
Jefferson  16:  112.) 

(Jefferson  to  Francis  Eppes.) 

Mont[icell]o  Apr.  [6,  1825] 

The  difficulty  with  which  I write,  my  aversion  to  it,  and  the  satiating 
dose  which  is  forced  upon  me  by  an  overwhelming  correspondence  have 
occasioned  me  to  be  thus  late  in  acknoleging  the  rec[eip]t  of  your  letter 
of  Feb.  24.  I was  glad  to  learn  the  damage  to  your  house  by  fire  was 
less  considerable  than  I had  supposed.  John  Heming  and  his  two  aids 
have  been  engaged  in  covering  this  house  with  tin  which  is  not  yet 
finished,  they  shall  repair  to  your  assistance  as  soon  as  I can  accompany 
them,  which  shall  be  as  soon  as  the  roads  become  practicable.  I would 
rather  you  should  do  nothing  more  than  shelter  by  slabs  or  other  tempo- 
rary coverings  the  uncovered  parts  of  the  house,  any  want  of  sawing 
which  you  can  foresee  had  better  be  obtained  while  Cap[tai]n  Martin’s 
sawmill  has  water,  for  the  terras,  joists  of  the  length  and  breadth  of 
the  former  will  be  needed  but  they  may  be  3.  I.  thick  only  as  we  can 
make  the  gutters  in  a different  way  which  will  for  ever  protect  the  joists 
from  decay,  pine  would  be  the  best  timber — ^heart  poplar  will  do,  oak 
is  too  springey.  1 will  desire  Colo[nel]  Peyton  to  send  up  tin  for 
covering  the  dwelling  house. 

I will  bring  with  me  a plat  of  the  land  as  you  desire,  but  mr  Yancey 
knows  so  well  the  line  between  Cobb[s]  and  myself;  that  I am  sure  he 
can  point  it  out.  so  also  can  the  surveyor  who  run  the  lines.  . . . 
{Huntington  Library  Quarterly  6 (3):  355-356i  19430 

(Jefferson  to  Thomas  Worthington.) 

Monticello,  Nov.  29.  25. 

You  will  startle  at  the  receipt  of  this  letter  as  if  it  were  from  the 
dead ; and  indeed  the  ordinary  term  of  man’s  life  says  I ought  to  have 
been  so  sometime,  however,  here  I am  as  yet,  not  in  very  good  health 
indeed,  but  as  good  perhaps  as  I ought  to  expect;  and  avail  myself  of  a 
little  circumstance  to  take  occasion  to  recall  myself  to  your  recollection. 
I have  pasted  the  text  of  my  letter  at  it’s  head,  but  texts  cut  out  of  a 
newspaper  are  not  like  those  of  holy  writ,  articles  of  faith,  and  the  ob- 
ject of  my  letter  is  to  ask  you  if  this  text  is  really  true?  and  if  it  is  to 
request  further  that  you  will  procure  for  me  and  send  in  a letter  by  mail 
half  a dozen  seeds  of  these  mammoth  cucumbers,  one  of  4 f.  6 i long, 
and  another  of  4 f,  5|  should  afford  so  many  seeds  as  to  spare  a few  to 
a beggar,  altho  giants  do  not  always  beget  giants,  yet  I should  count 
on  their  improving  the  breed,  and  this  vegetable  being  a great  favorite 
of  mine,  I wish  to  take  the  chance  of  an  improvement,  but  whether  sue- 


1824] 


Jeffersont’s  Garden  Book 


617 


cessful  or  not  I shall  find  my  reward  in  the  occasion  it  furnishes  of  re- 
calling m3^elf  to  your  recollection  and  of  assuring  you  of  my  constant 
esteem  and  respect.  (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence ; 298.) 

(Thomas  Worthington  to  Jefferson.) 

Adena  (near  Chillicothe) , 7 Jany.  1826. 

I did  not  receive  your  letter  of  the  29th  Nov.  until  yesterday.  You 
had  directed  it  to  Cincinnati,  from  whence  it  was  returned  to  me  here 
which  has  occasioned  the  delay.  I cannot  very  well  express  the  pleasure 
its  receipt  has  given  me.  I believe,  sir,  you  were  sensible  of  the  sincere 
respect  and  affection  I entertained  for  you  whilst  you  were  in  office. 
My  continuation  in  the  Senate  under  the  administration  of  others  I can 
say  with  truth  encreased  both,  which  to  this  moment  remain  unabated. 

I have  often  in  my  rambles  determined  to  call  on  you,  but  have  been 
deterred  by  the  consideration  that  you  were  too  much  troubled  in  that 
way,  and  from  the  same  causes  contrary  to  my  inclination  have  not 
written  to  you.  I rejoice  to  hear  you  enjoy  as  much  health  as  you  do, 
and  hope  it  will  be  better  and  long  continued  to  you  with  the  faculties 
of  your  mind  to  enable  you  to  see  your  most  sanguine  expectations  ex- 
ceeded in  the  extraordinary  strides  of  a nation  which  under  providence* 
you  have  had  so  great  a share  in  the  establishment  of  its  independence 
towards  physical  strength,  wealth,  and  rational  happiness  beyond  any 
thing  history  gives  us  knowledge.  What  was  Ohio  in  1821,  when  as 
the  agent  of  the  people  I presented  myself  before  the  national  Legisla- 
ture requesting  their  admission  as  a state.  A population  less  than 
40,cxx>.  What  is  she  now.  Her  forests  changed  to  cultivated  fields 
and  her  population  at  this  time  at  least  1,000,000  and  most  probably  at 
the  next  census  ii  or  12,000,000.  Pardon  me,  my  good  sir,  for  trou- 
bling you  with  what  you  already  know.  I could  not  help  noticing 
hastily  what  I have  done,  under  the  belief  that  you  have  great  pleasure 
in  seeing  the  rising  greatness  of  the  nation.  I had  noticed  the  extra- 
ordinary growth  of  cucumbers  of  which  [you"!  refer,  but  paid  no  at- 
tention to  it.  I am  much  gratified  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  ascertain 
the  truth,  and,  if  true,  to  get  some  of  the  seed.  Our  Legislature  are  in 
session  and  a member  with  whom  I am  well  acquainted  and  can  relie 
[upon],  and  who  lives  in  Cleveland  will  give  me  the  whole  truth  and 
get  some  of  the  seed,  if  true.  As  soon  as  this  is  done,  I will  do  myself 
the  pleasure  to  write  again.^  . . . (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence: 
299-300,) 

1 Governor  Worthington  later  sent  a letter  received  from  Leonard  Case, 
of  Columbus,  Ohio,  dated  January  13,  i8a6,  in  which  he  said; 

The  story  of  the  cucumbers  as  published  in  the  Cleveland  Herald  I have  not 
the  least  doubt  is  correct;  I did  not  go  to  see  them  myself  but  heard  them  spoken 
of  at  the  time  by  Gentleman  of  the  strii^est  veracity  who  said  they  had  seen  the 
measurement,  Dr.  Long  is  himself  a Gentleman  who  would  not  have  suffered 
a statement  of  that  kind  to  go  uncontradicted  if  it  had  not  been  true.  When  I 
return  home  I will  endeavor  to  procure  some  of  the  seed  and  forward  to  you  as 
you  request.  (Ford,  Jefferson  Correspondence:  300.) 


6i8 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


[1824 


(Jefferson  to  James  Monroe.) 

Monticello,  Feb.  2a.  26. 

...  A Virginia  estate  managed  rigorously  well  yields  comfortable 
subsistence  to  it’s  owner  living  on  it,  but  nothing  more.  But  it  runs 
him  in  debt  annually  if  at  a distance  from  him,  if  he  is  absent,  if  he  is 
unskilful  as  I am,  if  short  crops  reduce  him  to  deal  on  credit,  and  most 
assuredly  if  thunder  struck  from  the  hand  of  a friend  as  I was.  . . . 
(Ford,  Jefferson  12 : 460-461.) 

(Ellen  (Randolph)  Coolidge  to  Jefferson.) 

Boston,  March  8,  26. 

...  I know  not  whether  my  sisters  mentioned  to  you  the  wish  of  M' 
John  Gray,  son  of  the  late  Lieutenant  Governor  Gray,  to  procure  some 
slips  of  a cider  apple  which  he  understands  you  have,  & consider  one  of 
the  best  in  die  State.  I presume  it  to  be  not  the  Crab,  for  that  is  com- 
mon in  other  parts  of  Virginia,  but  a red  apple,  which  I remember  you 
prized  for  its  cider,  and  Horace  Gray,  who  visited  you  some  years  ago, 
was  the  person  who  spoke  of  it  to  his  brother  in  such  a way  as  makes 
him  anxious  to  obtain  & propagate  it  here.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers,  M. 
H.  C.  1 : 373-) 

(Jefferson  to  Ellen  (Randolph)  Coolidge.) 

Monticello,  Mar.  19,  26. 

Your  letter  of  the  8“  was  received  the  day  before  yesterday,  and  as 
the  season  for  engrafting  is  passing  rapidly  by  I will  not  detain  the 
apple-cuttings  for  Mr  Gray  (until  I may  have  other  matter  for  writing 
a big  letter  to  you) , but  I send  a dozen  cuttings,  as  much  as  a letter  can 
protect,  by  our  1“  mail,  and  wish  diey  may  retain  their  vitality  until 
they  reach  him.  They  arc  called  the  Taliaferro  apple,  being  from  a 
seedling  tree  discovered  by  a gendeman  of  that  name  near  "Williams- 
burg, and  yield  unquestionably  the  finest  cyder  we  have  ever  known,  and 
more  like  wine  than  any  liquor  I have  ever  tasted  which  was  not  wine. 
If  it  is  worth  reminding  me  of  the  ensuing  winter,  I may  send  a larger 
supply,  and  in  better  time,  through  Col.  Peyton.  . . . (Jefferson  Papers, 
M.H.C.  I ; 373-374-) 

(Jefferson  to  Leonard  Case.) 

Monticello  Apr.  8.  26. 

The  seeds  of  the  Serpentine  cucumber  which  you  have  been  so  kind 
as  to  send  me  at  the  request  of  my  friend  mf  Worthington  are  safely 
come  to  hand,  how  much  of  their  extraordinary  size  may  be  ascribed  to 
the  exuberant  soil  and  the  climate  of  Ohio  cannot  be  foreseen,  but  that 
a good  portion  of  it  may  be  retained  we  arc  permitted  to  hope,  with 
my  tbanb  for  this  friendly  and  acceptable  present  be  pleased  to  receive 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


1824] 


619 


the  assurance  of  my  great  esteem  and  respect.  {Jefferson  Papers,  M. 
H.  S.) 


(A.  B.  Woodward  to  Jefferson.) 

Tallahassee,  Apr.  ai,  1826. 

...  I transmit  twelve  seeds  of  the  indigenous  orange  of  Florida.  . . . 
{Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 

(Jefferson  to  George  Divers.) 

Monticello  Apr.  22.  a6. 

You  perhaps  noted  in  the  newspapers  some  3.  or  4.  months  ago  the 
mention  of  cucumbers  in  a particular  garden  in  Ohio  which  measured 
2^  f.  and  3.  f.  in  length,  having  a friend  in  that  quarter  I wrote  and 
requested  him  to  procure  and  send  me  some  seed  from  one  of  the  identical 
cucumbers,  he  has  sent  it,  and  to  multiply  chances  of  securing  it,  I 
send  you  9.  seeds,  assured  that  nobody  will  be  more  likely  to  succeed 
than  yourself.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

(Jefferson  to  Dr.  John  P.  Emmet.) 

Monticello,  April  27,  1826. 

It  is  time  to  think  of  the  introduction  of  the  school  of  Botany  into 
our  institution.  Not  that  I suppose  the  lectures  can  be  begun  in  the 
present  year,  but  that  we  may  this  year  make  the  preparations  necessary 
for  commencing  them  the  next.  For  that  branch,  I presume,  can  be 
taught  advantageously  only  during  the  short  season  while  nature  is  in 
general  bloom,  say  during  a certain  portion  of  the  months  of  April  and 
May,  when,  suspending  the  other  branches  of  your  department,  that  of 
Botany  may  claim  your  exclusive  attention.  Of  this,  however,  you  are 
to  be  the  judge,  as  well  as  of  what  I may  now  propose  on  the  subject  of 
preparation.  I will  do  this  in  writing,  while  sitting  at  my  table,  and  at 
ease,  because  I can  rally  there,  for  your  consideration,  with  more  com- 
posure than  in  extempore  conversation,  my  thoughts  on  what  we  have  to 
do  in  the  present  season. 

I suppose  you  were  well  acquainted,  by  character,  if  not  personally, 
with  the  late  Abbe  Correa,  who  passed  some  time  among  us,  first  as  a 
distinguished  savant  of  Europe,  and  afterwards  as  ambassador  of  Portu- 
gal, resident  with  our  government.  Profoundly  learned  in  several  other 
branches  of  science,  he  was  so,  above  all  others  in  that  of  Botany;  in 
which  he  preferred  an  amalgamation  of  the  methods  of  Linnaeus  and  of 
Jussieu,  to  either  of  them  exclusively.  Our  institution  being  then  on 
hand,  in  which  that  was  of  course  to  be  one  of  the  subjects  of  instruc- 
tion, I availed  myself  of  his  presence  and  friendship  to  obtain  from  him 
a general  idea  of  the  extent  of  groxmd  we  should  employ,  and  the  num- 
ber and  character  of  the  plants  we  should  introduce  into  it.  He  accord- 
ingly sketched  for  me  a mere  outline  of  the  scale  he  would  recommend. 


620  Jefferson’s  Garden  Book  [1824 

restrained  altogether  to  objects  of  use,  and  indulging  not  at  all  in  things 
of  mere  curiosity,  and  especially  not  yet  thinking  of  a hot-house,  or  even 
of  a green  house.  I enclose  you  a copy  of  his  paper,  which  was  the  more 
satisfactory  to  me,  as  it  coincided  with  the  moderate  views  to  which  our 
endowments  as  yet  confine  us.  I am  still  the  more  satisfied,  as  it  seemed 
to  be  confirmed  by  your  own  way  of  thinking,  as  I understood  it  in  our 
conversation  of  the  other  day.  To  your  judgment  altogether  his  ideas 
will  be  submitted,  as  well  as  my  own,  now  to  be  suggested  as  to  the  op- 
erations of  the  present  year,  preparatory  to  the  commencement  of  the 
school  in  the  next. 

I.  Our  first  operation  must  be  the  selection  of  a piece  of  ground  of 
proper  soil  and  site,  suppose  of  about  six  acres,  as  M.  Correa  proposes. 
In  choosing  this  we  are  to  regard  the  circumstances  of  soil,  water,  and 
distance.  I have  diligently  examined  all  our  grounds  with  this  view, 
and  think  that  that  on  the  public  road,  at  the  upper  corner  of  our  pos- 
sessions, where  the  stream  issues  from  them,  has  more  of  the  requisite 
qualities  than  any  other  spot  we  possess. 

To  wit,  19,360  square  yards  = 4 acres  for  the  garden  of  plants. 

” 9,680  “ “ =2  acres  for  the  plants  of  trees, 

29,040  square  yards  = 6 acres  in  the  whole. 

170  yards  square,  taken  at  that  angle,  would  make  the  six  acres  we 
want.  But  the  angle  at  the  road  is  acute,  and  the  form  of  the  ground 
will  be  trapezoid,  not  square.  1 would  take,  therefore,  for  its  breath  all 
the  ground  between  the  road  and  the  dam  of  the  brick  ponds  extending 
eastwardly  up  the  hill,  as  far  and  as  wide  as  our  quantity  would  require. 
The  bottom  ground  would  suit  for  the  garden  plants;  the  hillsides  for 
the  trees. 

3.  Operation.  Enclose  the  ground  with  a serpentine  brick  wall  seven 
feet  high.  This  would  take  about  80,000  bricks,  and  cost  $800,  and  it 
must  depend  on  our  finances  whether  they  will  aSord  that  immediately, 
or  allow  us,  for  awhile,  but  enclosure  of  posts  and  rads. 

3.  Operation  Form  all  the  hillsides  into  level  terrasses  of  con- 
venient breadth,  curving  with  the  hdl,  and  the  level  ground  into  beds 
and  alleys. 

4.  Operation.  Make  out  a list  of  the  plants  thought  necessary  and 
sufficient  for  botanical  purposes,  and  of  the  trees  wc  propose  to  introduce 
and  take  measures  in  time  for  procuring  them. 

As  to  the  seeds  of  plants,  much  may  be  obtained  from  the  gardeners 
of  our  own  country.  I have  moreover,  a special  resource.  For  three- 
and-twenty  years  of  the  last  twenty-five,  my  good  old  friend  Thouin, 
superintendent  of  the  garden  of  plants  at  Paris,  has  regularly  sent  me  a 
box  of  seeds,  of  such  exotics,  as  to  us,  as  would  suit  our  dimate,  and 
containing  nothing  indigenous  to  our  country.  These  I regularly  sent 
to  the  public  and  private  gardens  of  the  other  States,  having  as  yet  no 
employment  for  them  here.  But  during  the  last  two  years  this  envoi 


1824] 


Jefferson’s  Garden  Book 


621 


has  been  intermitted,  I know  not  why.  I will  immediately  write  and 
request  a re-commencement  of  that  kind  office,  on  the  ground  that  we 
can  now  employ  them  ourselves.  They  can  be  here  in  early  spring. 

The  trees  I should  propose  would  be  exotics  of  distinguished  useful- 
ness, and  accommodated  to  our  climate;  such  as  the  Larch,  Cedar  of 
Libanus,  Cork  Oak,  the  Marronnier,  Mahogany,  the  Catachu  or  Indian 
rubber  tree  of  Napul,  (30“)  Teak  tree,  or  Indian  oak  of  Burman, 
(23®)  the  various  woods  of  Brazil,  etc. 

The  seed  of  the  Larch  can  be  obtained  from  a tree  at  Monticello. 
Cones  of  the  Cedar  of  Libanus  are  in  most  of  our  seed  shops,  but  may 
be  had  fresh  from  the  trees  in  the  English  gardens.  The  Marronnier 
and  Cork  Oak,  I can  obtain  from  France.  There  is  a Marronnier  at 
Mount  Vernon,  but  it  is  a seedling,  and  not  therefore  select.  The 
others  may  be  got  through  the  means  of  our  ministers  and  consuls  in  the 
countries  where  they  grow,  or  from  the  seed  shops  of  England,  where 
they  may  very  possibly  be  found.  Lastly,  a gardener  of  sufficient  skill 
must  be  obtained. 

This,  dear  Sir,  is  the  sum  of  what  occurs  to  me  at  present;  think  of 
it,  and  let  us  at  once  enter  on  the  operations.  . . . (Lipscomb  and 
Bergh,  Jefferson  16:  163-167.) 

(Jefferson  to  John  P.  Emmet.) 

Monticello  May  I2.  26 

By  a letter  from  mf  Madison  I now  learn  that  Thouin  has  been  dead 
some  time,  that  his  successor  sends  the  box  annually  to  him  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  Agricultural  society  of  Albemarle,  that  such  a box  is  now 
arrived  at  N.  York,  of  which  he  has  notified  Secretary  Barbour,  his  suc- 
cessor. to  him  I have  written  requesting  it’s  consignment  to  us,  and 
the  sooner  the  better  as  the  Season  is  fast  advancing,  it  may  by  pos- 
sibility reach  us  in  3.  or  4.  wccb.  . . . {Jefferson  Papers,  L.  C.) 


APPENDIX  I 


Jefferson’s  Summary  of  His  Meteorological  Journal 
FOR  THE  Years  i8io  through  i8i6 
AT  Monticello 

1817,  January.  Having  been  stationary  at  home  since  1809,  with 
opportunity  and  leisure  to  keep  a meteorological  diary,  with  a good  de- 
gree of  exactness,  this  had  been  done:  and,  extracting  from  it  a term  of 
seven  years  complete,  to  wit  from  January  1,  1810,  to  December  3I1 
1 8 16,  I proceed  to  analyze  it  in  the  various  ways,  and  to  deduce  the 
general  results,  which  are  of  principal  effect  in  the  estimate  of  climate. 
The  observations,  three  thousand  nine  hundred  and  five,  in  the  whole, 
were  taken  before  sunrise  of  every  day;  and  again  between  three  and 
four  o’clock  P.  M.  On  some  days  of  occasional  absence  they  were 
necessarily  omitted.  In  these  cases  the  averages  were  taken  from  the 
days  of  the  same  denomination  in  the  other  years  onlj;,  and  in  such  way 
as  not  sensibly  to  affect  the  average  of  the  month,  still  less  that  of  the 
year,  and  to  be  quite  evanescent  in  their  effect  on  the  whole  tenor  of 
Seven  years. 

The  table  of  thermometrical  observations,  shews  the  particular  tem- 
perature of  the  different  years  from  1810  to  1816  inclusive.  The  most 
interesting  results,  however,  are  that  the  range  of  temperature  with  us 
may  be  considered  as  within  the  limits  of  5^“  and  94.'’  of  Fahrenheit’s 
thermometer;  and  that  55i°  degrees  as  its  mean  and  characteristic  meas- 
ure. These  degrees  fix  the  laws  of  the  animal  and  vegetable  races  which 
may  exist  with  us;  and  the  comfort  also  of  the  human  inhabitant,  so  far 
as  depends  on  his  sensations  of  heat  and  cold.  Still  it  must  be  kept  in 
mind  that  this  is  but  the  temperature  of  Monticello ; that  in  the  northern 
and  western  parts  of  the  State,  the  mean  and  extremes  are  probably 
something  lower,  and  in  the  southern  and  eastern,  higher.  But  this  place 
is  so  nearly  central  to  the  whole  State,  that  it  may  fairly  be  considered 
as  the  mean  of  the  whole. 

It  is  a common  opinion  that  the  climates  of  the  several  States,  of  our 
Union,  have  undergone  a sensible  change  since  the  dates  of  their  first 
settlements;  that  the  degrees  both  of  cold  and  heat  are  moderated.  The 
same  opinion  prevails  as  to  Europe;  and  facts  gleaned  from  history  give 
reason  to  believe  that,  since  the  time  of  Augustus  Caesar,  the  climate  of 
Italy,  for  example,  has  changed  regularly,  at  the  rate  of  i “ of  Fahren- 
heit’s thermometer  for  every  century.  May  we  not  hope  that  the  meth- 
ods invented  in  later  times  for  measuring  with  accuracy  the  degrees  of 
heat  and  cold,  and  the  observations  which  have  been  and  will  be  made 

611 


A Tabis  or  Thsmiomeimcai.  Ohseatahoks,  Made  at  MoiracEito,  feom  Jahdaet  i,  i8io,  to  Dbcehbee  31,  1816. 


Appendix  I 


623 


*§  1 

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Month 

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Appbnmx  I 


6214 


and  preserved,  will  at  length  ascertain  this  curious  fact  in  physical 

histoiT? 

Within  the  same  period  of  time,  about  fifty  morning  observations,  on 
an  average  of  every  winter,  were  below  the  freezing  point,  and  ten  freez- 
ing days  for  the  average  of  our  winters. 

It  is  generally  observed  that  when  the  thermometer  is  below  5S®,  we 
have  need  of  fire  in  our  apartments  to  be  comfortable.  In  ihe  course 
of  these  seven  years,  the  number  of  observations  below  55“,  was  as 
follows: 


In  1810 — 195  mornings  and  124  afternoons 


’ll 

176 

102 

*12 

aog 

137 

’13 

197 

123 

190 

127 

’i5 

189  • 

116 

’16 

172 

116 

Average 

190 

120 

Whence  we  conclude  that  we  need  constant  fires  four  months  in  the 
year,  and  in  the  mornings  and  evenings  a little  more  than  a month 
preceding  and  following  that  time. 

The  first  white  frost  in 


i8og-io  was 

October  25, 

the  last  April 

11 

'lO-II 

18, 

Mar. 

19 

’11-12 

ar, 

April 

14 

’12-13 

9. 

’13-14 

22, 

April 

*3 

’14-15 

34, 

May 

15 

’1S-16 

26, 

April 

3 

'16-17 

7, 

12 

But  we  have  seen  in  another  period  a destructive  white  frost  as  early 
as  September. 

Our  first  ice  in 


1809-10 

was  in 

Nor. 

7. 

the  last 

April 

10 

’lO-II 

(( 

Oct. 

24. 

It 

Mar, 

8 

’ir-i2 

it 

Nov. 

15, 

It 

April 

12 

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it 

fC 

13, 

It 

Mar. 

25 

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it 

« 

H, 

tt 

tl 

17 

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it 

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9, 

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tt 

22 

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it 

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13, 

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It 

19 

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ft 

(( 

7. 

tt 

It 

20 

The  quantity  of  water  (including  that  of  snow)  which  fell  in  every 
month  and  year  of  the  term  was  as  follows. 


Appendix  I 


625 


1810. 

1811. 

1813. 

1813, 

1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

Average  of 
every  month 

Jan. 

1-873 

3.694 

3-300 

1-735 

4.179 

6.025 

4.86 

3-656 

Feb. 

4-275 

2.351 

4.060 

1-763 

3.760 

5-90 

2.205 

3-473 

Mar. 

3-173 

a.*9S 

3.090 

1.750 

4-386 

3.96 

2.835 

3.926 

Apr. 

4,570 

4.342 

3.228 

3,685 

S-471 

1-35 

3.5a 

3-595 

May 

2.134 

3-779 

14.761 

3,670 

7-134 

2-57 

6.19 

S-604 

June  1 

5*«93 

5-574 

5.565 

0.799 

3-450 

2-94 

0.33 

1 3.470 

July 

5-7*9 

8,306 

3.319 

13.654 

7-59 

4.63 

6.565 

Aug. 

1.883 

5.969 

8.963 

3-9*0 

3-370 

3-48 

0,85 

4.063 

Sept. 

4.908 

2.933 

0 

0 

14.224 

6.834 

2.33 

9.91 

5-964 

Oct. 

0-731 

7.037 

5-184 

4.064 

3.633 

0.73 

3-23 

3-401 

Nov. 

6.741 

0.781 

1.187 

3-932 

4.794 

2.09 

0.96 

3.936 

Dec. 

0.333 

0-5 

'.333 

6.658 

1.359 

3-SS 

0.36 

1-556 

Average  of 
a year 

42.033 

47.451 

53-0*5 

45-719 

60.923 

41-505 

1 

39.87 

47.218 

From  this  table  we  observe  that  the  average  of  the  water  which  falls 
in  a year  is  47^  inches,  the  minimum  41  and  the  maximum  61  inches, 
from  tables  kept  by  the  late  Col.  James  Madison,  father  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  at  his  seat  about  [ ?]  miles  from  Monticello,  from 
the  year  1794  to  1801  inclusive,  the  average  was  43i  inches,  the  mini- 
mum 35f  inches,  and  the  maximum  52  inches. 

During  the  same  seven  years  there  fell  six  hundred  and  twenty  two 
rains,  which  gives  eighty  nine  rains  every  year,  or  one  for  every  four 
days ; and  the  average  of  the  water  falling  in  the  year  being  47^  inches, 
gives  fifty  three  cents  of  an  inch  for  each  rain,  or  ninety  three  cents  for 
a week.  Were  this  to  fall  regularly,  or  nearly  so,  through  the  summer 
season,  it  would  render  our  agriculture  most  prosperous,  as  experience 
has  sometimes  proved. 

Of  the  three  thousand  nine  hundred  and  five  observations  made  in  the 
course  of  seven  yeais,  two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy  six  were 
fair ; by  which  I mean  that  the  quarter  part  of  the  sky  was  unclouded. 
This  shows  our  proportion  of  fair  weather  to  be  as  two  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  seventy  six  to  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty  nine, 
or  as  five  to  two,  equivalent  to  five  fair  days  to  the  week.  Of  the  other 
two,  one  may  be  more  than  half  clouded,  the  other  wholly  so.  We  have 
then  five  of  what  observing  astronomers  call  "observing  days”  in  the 
week;  and  of  course  a chance  of  five  to  two  of  observing  any  astronomical 
phenomenon  which  is  to  happen  at  any  fixed  period  of  time. 


SaS 


Appendix  I 


The  snows  of  Monticello  amounted  to  the  depth  in 


1809-10  of  i6i  in.  and  covered  the  ground  19  days 


lo-ii  “ 3i| 

f< 

31 

11-12  " 

(1 

II 

12-13  “ 35 

44 

22 

13-14  “ i3i 

<4 

16 

14-15  “ 29I 

44 

39 

15-1 6 “ 23 

44 

29 

16-17  “ i9i 

44 

19 

Average — ^22^ 

22 

Which  gives  an  average  of  22^  indies  in  a year,  covering  the  ground 
twenty  two  days,  and  a minimum  of  eleven  inches,  and  eleven  days,  and 
a maximum  of  thirty  five  inches  and  thirty  nine  da3^.  ^According  to 
Mr.  Madison’s  tables,  the  average  of  snow,  at  his  seat,  in  the  winters 
from  1793  to  1801-2  inclusive,  was  23^  the  minimum,  loi^  and  maxi- 
mum, 33^  inches,  but  I once  (in  1772)  saw  a snow  here  three  feet  deep. 

The  course  of  the  wind  having  been  one  of  the  circumstances  regu- 
larly observed,  I have  thought  it  better,  from  the  observations  of  the 
seven  years,  to  deduce  an  average  for  a single  year  and  for  every  month 
of  the  year.  This  table  accordingly  exhibits  the  number  of  days  in  the 
year,  and  in  every  month  of  it,  during  which  each  particular  wind,  ac- 
cording to  these  observations  may  be  expected  to  prevail.  It  will  be  for 
physicians  to  observe  the  coincidences  of  the  diseases  of  each  season,  with 
the  particular  winds  then  prevalent,  the  quantities  of  heat  and  rain,  &c. 


N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

s. 

s,w. 

W. 

N.W. 

Total 

Jan. 

B 

B 

I 

X 

B 

S 

B 

31 

Feb. 

3 

3 

1 

B 

B 

6 

B^ 

6 

38 

Mar. 

S 

3 

% 

3 

6 

S 

3 

S 

31 

Apr. 

B' 

B 

3 

a 

B 

6 

3 

4 

30 

May 

5 

B 

I 

I 

6 

6 

4 

6 

31 

Junis 

S 

2 

I 

I 

4 

6 

s 

6 

30 

July 

6 

mm 

I 

I 

6 

S 

s 

S 

31 

Aug. 

6 

3 

I 

3 

3 

6 

4 

6 

31 

Sept. 

6 

5 

1 

3 

B 

4 

3 

S 

30 

Oct 

5 

B 

I 

X 

S 

s 

s 

7 

3» 

Nov. 

B 

1 

X 

5 

5 

5 

7 

30 

Dec. 

5 

a 

I 

X 

S 

5 

s 

7 

31 

Total 

61 

as 

IS 

x6 

60 

66 

47 

7» 

36s 

Appendix  I 


627 


appeared  to  have  with  rain  or  snow;  for  example,  of  every  five  north 
winds,  one  was  either  accompanied  with  rain  or  snow,  or  followed  by  it 
before  the  next  observation,  and  four  were  dry.  Of  every  four  north- 
easters, one  was  wet  and  three,  dry.  The  table  consequently  shows  the 
degree  in  which  any  particular  wind  enters  as  an  element  into  the  gen- 
eration of  rain,  in  combination  with  the  temperature  of  the  air,  state  of 
clouds.  See. 


An  estimate  of  climate  may  be  otherwise  made  from  the  advance  of 
the  spring,  as  manifested  by  animal  and  vegetable  subjects.  Their  first 
appearance  has  been  observed  as  follows. 


The  Red  Maple  comes  into  blossom, 

from 

Feb. 

18 

to 

March 

1 27 

The  Almond 

Cf 

Mar. 

6 

to 

Apr. 

5 

The  Peach 

(t 

II 

9 

« 

4 

The  Cherry 

ti 

II 

9 

Cl 

13 

The  Tick  appears 

tt 

II 

15 

11 

2 

The  house  Martin 

tt 

<1 

18 

II 

9 

Asparagus  comes  first  to  table 

(( 

11 

23 

II 

14 

The  Shad  arrives 

u 

II 

28 

11 

18 

The  Lilac  blossoms 

II 

April 

I 

If 

28 

The  Red  bud 

II 

ir 

2 

II 

19 

The  whip-poor-will  is  heard 

II 

11 

2 

II 

21 

The  Dogwood  blossoms 

f< 

Cl 

3 

Cl 

22 

The  wood  Robin  is  heard 

It 

II 

20 

to 

May 

1 

The  Locust  blooms 

II 

(1 

25 

II 

17 

The  Fringe  tree  blooms 

II 

ft 

27 

II 

5 

The  red  dover  first  blossoms 

II 

May 

1 

to 

The  garden  pea  first  at  table 

It 

M 

3 

It 

25 

Strawberries  first  ripe 

II 

Cl 

3 

1C 

2S 

Fire  flies  appear 

Cherries  first  ripe 

II 

Cl 

8 

to 

ft 

Cl 

18 

If 

25 

Artichokes  first  at  table 

If 

II 

28 

to 

June 

12 

628 


Appendix  I 


Wheat  harvest  begins 
Cucumbers  first  at  table 
Indian  corn  first  at  table 
Peaches  first  ripe 
The  Sawyer  first  heard 


June 

21 

29 

July 

22 

4 

to  July 
to 

5 

tt 

7 

II 

21 

u 

14 

II 

20 

The  natural  season  of  the  vegetable  is  here  noted,  and  not  the  artificial 
one  produced  by  glasses,  hot-beds  &c.  which,  combining  art  with  nature, 
would  not  be  a test  of  the  latter  separately. 

Another  index  of  climate  may  be  sought  in  the  temperature  of  the 
waters  issuing  from  fountains.  If  the  deepest  of  the  reservoirs  feeding 
may  be  supposed  at  like  distances  from  the  surface,  in  every  part  of  the 
globe,  then  the  lowest  temperature  of  water,  flowing  from  them,  would 
indicate  that  of  the  earth  from  and  through  which  it  flows.  This  will 
probably  be  found  highest  under  the  equator,  and  lower  as  you  recede 
towards  either  pole.  On  an  examination  of  15  springs  in  the  body  of 
the  hill  of  Monticello,  the  water  of  the  coolest  was  54J,  the  outer  air 
being  then  at  75“.  A friend  assures  me  that  in  an  open  well  of  28  feet 
depth  in  Maine,  lat.  44°  22',  and  in  the  month  of  August,  the  water  in 
it  being  then  4 feet  deep,  its  temperature  was  52°  of  Farenheit’s  ther- 
mometer, that  of  the  water  of  Kenebec  river  being  at  the  same  time  72^. 

Lastly,  to  close  the  items  which  designate  dimate,  the  latitude  of 
Monticello  is  to  be  added,  which  by  numerous  observations  lately  made 
with  a Borda’s  cirde  of  5 inches  radius,  with  nonius  divisions  of  1'.  I 
have  found,  by  averaging  the  whole,  to  be  37®  57'  51".  (.Virginia 
Literary  Museum,  and  Journal  of  Belles  Letties,  Arts,  Sciences,  d^c. 
(Charlottesville,  June  24,  1829)  i (2) : 26-29.) 


APPENDIX  II 

The  Water  Supply  at  Monticello 
The  Well 

1778.  Feb.  23.  the  water  is  returned  into  the  well  at  Monticello, 
having  been  now  dry  for  13  months,  it  was  dug  in  1769.  it  failed 
once  before,  to  wit,  in  the  fall  of  1773.  but  came  to  the  spring  follow- 
ing, when  it  failed  the  second  time  as  mentioned  above,  to  wit  January 
1777,  succeeding  spring  happened  to  be  remarkeably  dry,  insomuch 
that  the  river  did  not  afford  water  to  carry  down  tobacco  etc.  so  that 
the  well  not  being  replenished  in  the  spring,  had  no  water  all  the  sum- 
mer of  1777.  1789  it  failed  again  from  beginn*  Oct.  to  beginn*  Dec. 

1796.  again  in  the  fall  & winter  till  Feb. 

dug  in  1769 
failed  1773 

1777 

1789 

1791 

1796 

1797- 

1791.  the  well  has  failed  this  year,  it  has  been  the  dryest  summer 
since  I755. 

1797.  the  well  has  failed  this  summer,  the  spring  & summer  re- 
markeably dry  till  July,  then  dry  again  from  August. 

1799.’  Sept.  II.  the  well  had  got  very  low  this  summer  (which  was 
dry)  so  as  not  always  to  furnish  dear  water  for  drinking,  nor  water  for 
washing,  from  the  20“  to  the  22^  were  3.  days  of  heavy  rain,  again 
from  Sept.  2.  to  10.  were  the  most  constant  & heavy  rains  in  this  neigh- 
borhood which  were  ever  known  in  the  memory  of  man.  at  the  end  of 
that  time  there  were  28.  feet  depth  of  water  in  the  well,  the  wells  in 
the  neighborhood  were  raised  nearly  as  much,  the  water  perfectly  dear 
and  fine. 

1803.  Mar,  12.  The  well  was  observed  about  a month  ago  to  have  a 
plenty  of  water  in  it  after  having  been  dry  about  18.  months. 

1818.  May.  the  wdl  is  found  to  have  in  it  a plenty  of  water,  and 
very  fine,  it  has  been  several  years  out  of  use.  {Weather  Memo- 
randum Book  1776-1820,  Li.  C.) 


630 


Appendix  II 


The  Springs  on  Monticello  Mountain 

1817.  June  15.  the  circuit  of  the  base  of  Monticello  is  miles;  the 
area  of  the  base  about  890.  acres,  within  the  limits  of  that  base  I this 
day  tried  the  temperature  of  15.  springs,  10  on  the  South  & 5.  on  the  N. 
side  of  the  mountain,  the  outward  air  being  generally  about  73®.  of 
Farenheit.  the  springs  were  as  follows. 


South  side  North  side 


10.  Bailey’s  spring 

58^" 

3.  Rock  spring 

55i' 

11.  South  stone  spring 

59 

9.  North  road,  left 

584 

3.  Ned’s 

56i 

7.  d®.  right  hand 

57i 

14.  Abram’s 

63I 

4.  falling  spring 

S6 

15.  Lewis's 

66 

2.  N.  stone  spring 

55 

12.  Nailery 

60 

1.  Overseer’s 

54i 

8.  ragged  branch 

58 

13.  Goodman's 

61 

6.  mouth  of  Meadow  br. 

57i 

The  Cisterns  at  Monticello 


August  16.  1808. 

Supposing  4.  f.  of  rain  water  to  fall  in  the  year,  the  following  calcula- 
tion shews  how  much  the  area  of  my  whole  buildings  would  furnish  to 
cisterns. 

square  feet 

area  of  the  Dwelling  house  6096 

the  2.  pavilions  484  X 2 968 

a.  covered  ways,  each  90.  f.  J I.  by  10.  f.  8. 1.  1922 

2.  ranges  of  offices,  each  120.  f.  5.  I.  by  22.  f. 

10.  1.  5497  __ 

the  whole  buildings 14483  = 1609.  sq.  yds. 

rain  falling  in  one  year 4 

cub.  feet  failing  on  them  in  one  year  57i932 


57»93^ 

gives  for  every  day  an  average  of  138.72  cub.  feet  which  at  X.48 
gall*  of  231  cub.  I.  pr,  cub.  foot  gives  daily  1187.22  gall*. 


& at  ia6.  gall*,  per  butt,  or  pipe  gives  daily  9.42  pipes  or  butts.  (Note 
a rain  of  x.  I.  gives  11.62  butts  of  16.84  cub.  f.  each  or  1201.  cub  feet 
= 9028  gall*.  (9028.36). 


Make  4.  cisterns  of  8.  f.  cube  each,  or  3830.  gallons  to  wit.  one  on 
each  side  of  each  covered  way,  near  it's  angle  with  the  offices  and  allot 
to  them  the  water  gutters  as  follows. 


Appendix  II 


631 


fiq.  f. 

Yearly  fall 

daily 

cub.  f. 

gall*. 

gall*. 

to  the  kitchen  the  South  Western  quarter  to  wit 
S.W.  spout  of  S.W.  portico 

S.W.  <P.  of  S.  piazza 
internal  moiety  of  S.  covered  way 

to  the  Garden  the  S.  Eastern  quarter,  viz. 

S.E,  spout  of  N.E.  portico 

S.E.  d“.  of  S.  piazza 

extern^  moiety  of  S.  covered  way 

to  the  bathing  room  the  N.W.  quarter,  viz. 

N.W.  spout  of  S.W._  portico 

N.W.  spout  of  N.  piazza 
internal  moiety  of  N.  covered  way 

to  the  house  & slope  the  N.E.  quarter,  viz. 

N.E.  spout  ofN.E.  portico 

N.E.  spout  of  N.  piazza 
external  moiety  of  N.  covered  way 

to  the  South  pond 

internal  moiety  of  S.  Offices 

N.  side  of  S.  pavilion 

to  the  North  pond 

internal  moiety  of  N.  offices 

S,  wde  of  N.  pavilion 

for  irrigadne  the  slopes  & for  the  garden 

External  mtuety  of  N.  offices 
d^.  of  S.  offices 

N.  dde  of  N.  pavilion 

S.  side  of  S.  d". 

i 

m 

31,147 

14,451 

13.464 

85-  33 

1974 

7896 

59,063 

163. 

1041 

483 

5” 

H 

■nil 

31,147 

14,451 

15,389 

85-33 

303s 

8140 

60,887 

166,80 

n 

Bel 

mm 

H 

31.1+7 

14.451 

13,464 

85-33 

til 

J974 

7896 

59/563 

16a 

1041 

483 

pi 

4164 

1933 

3044 

31,147 

14,451 

15,389 

83-33 

n 

»3S 

8140 

60,887 

166.80 

1344 

34a 

40,305 

7,340 

H0.15 

19-83 

1586 

6343 

47,445 

130- 

1344 

343 

% 

40,305 

7,34© 

■ 

1^96 

6343 

47,445 

I30* 

140S 

1405 

343 

343 

5630 

tSao 

968 

968 

43,030 

43,030 

7,340 

7,340 

1 

3*94 

13176 

98,540 

370. 

The  fish  pond  near  the  S.  pavilion  is  an  Ellipses  £.  yds.  wide,  10,  yds. 
long  = 40.  sq.  yds,  very  nearly  i.  yard  deep  — 40.  cub.  yds.  contents. 
{Wmthtr  Memorandum  Book  in6~iizo,  L.  C.) 


APPENDIX  III 

Extract  of  a Letter  to  Anthony  Giannini.* 

Paris  Feb.  5.  1786 

...  I wrote  to  mf  Lewis  soon  after  I arrived  in  France  to  get  you 
to  graft  me  a good  number  of  the  fine  white,  red,  & yellow  plumb 
peaches  from  Balyal’s,  taking  the  grafts  from  the  old  trees  remaining  at 
Balyal’s,  to  plant  these  in  the  room  of  all  those  which  die  in  my  orchard, 
and  in  the  room  of  all  such  as  are  found  to  bear  indifferent  peaches.  I 
hope  this  has  been  done  & if  not,  that  you  will  do  it  the  first  season, 
I depend  also  that  you  will  fill  up  my  apple  orchard  on  the  North  side 
of  the  mountain  with  the  kinds  of  trees  I directed,  and  winding  the  rows 
on  a level  round  the  hill  as  was  begun  before  I came  away:  and  always 
as  soon  as  any  fruit  tree  dies,  replant  another  of  the  same  kind  in  it’s 
place,  except  the  peach  trees  which  are  always  to  be  replaced  with 
grafted  ones  from  Balyal’s.  I hope  my  trees  of  every  kind  are  taken 
good  care  of,  and  also  the  grass  grounds,  & that  they  go  on  sowing  grass 
seed  where  I described,  how  does  my  vineyard  come  on?  have  there 
been  grapes  enough  to  make  a trial  of  wine?  if  there  should  be,  I 
should  be  glad  to  receive  here  a few  bottles  of  the  wine.  I trust  much 
to  you  for  the  replacing  my  trees  which  die,  and  extending  them,  and 
that  George  takes  care  of  them  thro’  the  year  so  that  nothing  may  hurt 
them.  , 

1 send  you  inclosed  a list  of  seeds  which  I wish  you  to  gather  for  me. 
they  are  intended  for  friends  here  whom  I very  much  desire  to  oblige, 
and  I write  to  you  yourself  for  them  that  I may  be  sure  to  get  them, 
do  not  let  time  nor  trouble  prevent  your  getting  them,  I pray  you,  but 
go  yourself  in  ouest  of  them  at  the  proper  season.  I depend  much  on 
your  skill  and  care  in  packing  them  so  that  they  may  neither  get  too  dry, 
nor  yet  too  moist.  I believe  that  the  nuts  & acorns  had  better  be  packed 
in  sand,  besides  the  seeds  &c.  send  me  a leaf  or  two  of  every  article, 
the  way  to  do  this  will  be  to  make  a little  book  of  paper  of  about  30 
leaves,  a little  larger  than  the  largest  leaf  you  are  to  send,  then  put  one 
or  two  leaves  of  the  plants  between  every  two  leaves  of  the  book  writ- 
ing the  name  of  the  plant  in  the  page  of  the  book  where  it  is  placed,  do 
not  put  leaves  of  different  kinds  in  the  same  page,  wrap  up  the  book 
very  well  that  they  may  not  drop  out.  send  all  these  things  to  Doctor 
Currie  who  will  forward  them  to  me.  and  write  me  at  the  same  time  in 
Italian  a full  account  of  what  you  send.  I shall  be  glad  also  if  you  will 
write  me  a very  full  state  of  the  condition  in  which  my  trees,  grasses  and 
other  matters  of  that  kind  are.  but  put  these  things  into  a separate 
letter  from  that  in  which  you  give  me  an  account  of  what  you  send. 

*Thl8  letter  was  found  too  late  to  be  placed  in  its  chronological  order.  $ee 
year,  1786. 


Appendix  III 


633 

there  are  some  of  these  things  which  you  might  send  me  immediately, 
such  as  persimmons,  locusts,  walnuts.  Cedar,  Pride  of  china,  laurel. 
Umbrella,  acorns  of  the  last  year,  by  which  means  they  would  arrive  in 
time  to  plant  the  ensuing  fall,  besides  this  I would  have  you  send  the 
same  things  again  in  the  fall  when  you  send  the  others,  if  you  are  at  a 
loss  to  know  any  of  these  plants,  I think  mfs  Lewis  will  be  very  able  to 
tell  you  how  to  know  them,  as  to  the  time  which  you  may  employ  In 
doing  this  business  now  & whenever  I send  you  the  like  commissions 
hereafter,  mf  Lewis  I am  sure  will  satisfy  you,  either  in  the  same  way 
you  were  always  paid  by  me  or  in  any  other  more  agreeable  to  you.  but 
do  not  let  any  difficulties  of  this  kind  prevent  your  doing  this  business, 
but  rely  on  me  that  you  shall  be  satisfied  as  I rely  on  you  that  you  will 
not  let  me  be  disappointed  in  receiving  them,  which  would  be  a great 
mortification  to  me.  I hope  on  my  return,  which  will  not  be  very  dis- 
tant I shall  find  that  you  & George  have  kept  up  my  plans  well  in  my 
absence,  tell  him  & my  other  servants  that  I have  their  welfare  much 
at  heart:  I have  left  them  under  the  protection  of  so  good  a man  mr 
Lewis,  that  my  mind  is  tolerably  quiet.  . . . 

[Inclosure] 

a list  of  seeds  which  Anthony  Giannini  is  desired  to  send  me. 

Wild  honeysuckle,  a gill  of  the  seed. 

Haw  tree,  both  black  & red.  a gill  of  each. 

Persimmon,  a pint  of  the  seeds. 

Honey  locust,  a pint  of  the  seeds. 

Common  locust,  two  pints  of  the  seeds. 

Black  walnuts,  half  a bushel. 

White  walnuts,  a gallon,  this  is  the  kind  which  grows  along  the 
river  side  from  the  Secretary’s  ford  down  to  the  old 
mill,  a gallon. 

Hiccory  nut.)  I am  not  certain  whether  these  arc  of  different  kinds,  or 
Pignut  - - - ) whether  they  are  the  same,  a gallon  of  each  if  different. 
Scaly  barks,  a gallon. 

Cedar,  half  a bushel. 

Lilly  of  Canada,  this  is  the  lilly  which  George  found  for  me  in  the 
woods  near  the  stone  spring.  I think  that  before  I 
left  home  we  took  up  some  roots  and  planted  them 
in  the  flower  borders  near  the  house,  send  all  the 
seed  you  can  get,  & some  roots. 

Pride  of  China,  a pint. 

Swamp  laurel.  20.  cones,  the  nearest  place  where  these  are  to  be  had 
is  about  the  Byrd  ordinary,  waggoner  Phill  knows 
the  spot. 

Umbrella.  20.  cones. 

Wild  cherry,  a gill  of  the  stones. 

Wild  plumbs,  a gill. 

Poke,  a gill. 


Appkkdix  in 


634 

Willovir  oak.  half  a bushel  of  acorns. 

Ground  oak.  half  a bushel  of  acorns,  this  grows  in  the  barrons  about 
Hieion  Gaines’s,  it  is  a bush  not  more  than  4.  feet  high. 
George  once  got  me  a peck  of  the  acorns,  which  I be- 
lieve we  planted  in  the  park. 

Sumach.  2.  pints,  if  there  are  two  kinds  of  Sumach,  send  of  both. 
Scarlet  flowering  maple.  ] I do  not  know  the  size  of  the  seed 

Maple  with  a leaf  like  an  Ash.  of  these  trees;  but  send  about  the 
Fringe  tree  same  proportion  with  those  before 

Ash.  directed,  according  to  the  size  of  the 

Green  ivy.  the  broad  leaved  seed, 
the  narrow  leaved. 

Sweet  gum 

Foplar.  ) I do  not  know  the  size  of  these  seeds ; but  send  a very  great 
Sassafras.)  quantity. 

the  sweet  potatoe.  I mean  that  kind  which  the  negroes  tend  so  gen- 
erally. the  roots  will  not  keep  during  the  voiage, 
therefore  send  a quantity  of  the  seeds,  which  doubt- 
less may  be  got  as  I remember  it  bears  a quantity 
of  blossoms. 

(Jefferson  Papers,  L,  C.) 

A List  of  Plants  Sent  by  Jefferson  from  Paris 
ABOUT  1786  TO  Francis  Eppes 

Pois  Marly,  hatif.  forward  peas  of  Marly. 

Pois  Carre.,  tardif.  latter  peas. 

Pois  micheau.  hatif.  forward  peas. 

Pois  nain  d’hollande  hatif,  a chassis,  dwarf  peas  of  Holland,  for 
frames. 

Haricots,  nain  d’hollande.  dwarf  beans  of  Holland. 

Harirats  gris  dc  Suisse,  en  Mars.  Grey  beans  of  Switzerland,  sow 
in  March. 

Haricots  flajolet.  little  beans,  said  to  be  very  good. 

Feves  de  Marais  Marsh  beans. 

Peyes  Julienne,  hatif.  Julian  beans,  forward. 

Laitue,  coquille  d’hyver.  shdl-winter-lettuce. 

Laitue  feuiile  de  chicor6e  Endive-leaved  lettuce. 

Laitue  golle  hative.  forward  lettuce. 

Laitue  gorge  d’etd  summer  lettuce 
Laitue  Berlin.  Berlin  lettuce. 

Chicord  frize.  seme  en  Mai  et  en  Septembre.  curled  endive,  sow  in 
^ March  & September 
^irare  de  Meaux.  Endive  of  Meaux. 

I^dis  rose,  rond,  hatif.  Rose  radish,  round  & forward. 

Radis  blanc,  rond,  hatif.  White  radish,  round  & forward 
Raves  hatives.  forward  tumeps 
Raves  conteui  de  rose  rose  turneps. 


Appendix  III 


635 


Choux  de  Milan,  en  Mars.  Milan  cabbage,  in  March. 

Choux  de  York  York  cabbage. 

Choux,  coeur  de  boeuf.  hatif.  Ox-heart  cabbage,  forward. 

Coux,  pomme.  bon  a semes  en  Septembre.  loaf-cabbage,  sow  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Choux-fleurs  de  la  Meilleure  espece.  seme  en  Mai  et  7'^.  cauliflowers 
of  y*  best  kind.  May  & Septcmb. 

Choux-fleurs  dur  d’Angleterre.  English  hard  Cauliflowers, 
bon  Choux-fleur  marecher.  bon  entout  temps.  Cauliflowers  good  for 
all  seasons 

Choux-fleur  dur  d’Hollande.  Dutch  hard  Cauliflowers. 

Peach-apricots. 

Giroffle  royal.  Gilly  flowers,  royal,  to  be  sown  in  March,  very  fine 
& very  rare. 

Heliotrope,  to  be  sowed  in  the  spring,  a delicious  flower,  but  I sus- 
pect it  must  be  planted  in  boxes  & kept  in  the  house  in  the  winter, 
the  smell  rewards  the  care. 

Balsamine.  sow  in  the  spring 
Reseda,  qu.  if  this  is  woad  (for  dying) 

4.  especes  d’oeillet.  4.  kinds  of  pink,  sow  in  beginning  of  summer. 
Amaranthc  tricolor,  three-coloured  Amaranth. 

Amaranthe.  passe  velour.  Velvet  amaranth. 

Amaranthe  toydenne.  Amaranth. 

Roses  of  various  kinds. 

Anemon6  double,  double  Anemone 

Tulipes  doubles,  double  Tulips 

Jacinthe  bleu,  roy  grand  bretagne.  blue  hyacinths 

Jacinthe  rouge,  roy  grand  bretagne.  red  hyacinths 

Couronne  Imperial.  Crown  imperial. 

Ranoncle  rouge,  red  Ranunculus. 

Martagon. 

{Jefferson  Papers,  U.  Va.) 

A Memorandum,  Probably  Lbft  to  Edmund  Bacon, 
ABOUT  1808  OR  1809 

In  the‘ roundabout  there  are  23  Honeylocust  living,  plant  8 arbor  vitaes 
and  8 cedars  in  those  places  nearest  to  the  grove,  and  fill  up  the  other 
vacancies  with  golden  willows,  it  will  require  22  to  reach  to  the 
Wild  cherries. 

on  the  S.  side  arc  3 Umbrellas  living,  plant  the  vacancies  with  golden 
willows,  about  9.  plant  horn  beams  & Elms,  plant  weeping  willows 
in  the  semi-circle  in  N.  E.  front  one  half  way  between  each  two  shrubs, 
plant  a hedge  of  them  round  the  graveyard  exactly  in  the  line  of  the 
old  paling  and  a dble  row  of  them  on  a line  with  the  dble  row  of 
mulberries  from  where  the  mulberries  end  at  the  saw  pit,  down  to 
the  graveyard,  the  forest  trees  in  the  way  are  to  be  left, 
take  up  the  young  aspens  & plant  a dble  row  of  them  on  the  road  lead- 
ing from  the  gate  down  towards  the  landing.  Where  they  fail,  plant 


Appendix  III 


636 

locusts,  walnuts,  wild  cherries,  elms,  lindens,  maples,  & cedars,  just 

as  you  can  get  them. 

plant  figs  from  the  bearing  bush  along  under  the  garden  wall. 

(Fiske  Kimball,  Jefferson's  Grounds  and  Gardens  at  Monticello,  [n.  d]  : 
17.)  (Original  among  Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S.) 

Extract  of  a Letter  Written  to  Henry  S.  Randall  by  Jef- 
ferson’s Granddaughter,  Ellen  Randolph  Coolidge 

...  He  [Jefferson]  loved  farming  and  gardening,  the  fields,  the 
orchards,  and  his  asparagus  beds.  Every  day_he  rode  through  his  plan- 
tation and  walked  in  his  garden.  In  the  cultivation  of  the  last  he  took 
great  pleasure.  Of  flowers,  too,  he  was  very  fond._  One  of  my  early 
recollections  is  of  the  attention  which  he  paid  to  his  flower-beds.  He 
kept  up  a correspondence  with  persons  in  the  large  cities,  particularly, 
I think,  in  Philaddphia,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  supplies  of  roots 
and  seeds  both  for  his  kitchen  and  flower  garden.  I remember  well 
when  he  first  returned  to  Monticello,  how  immediately  he  began  to  pre- 
pare new  beds  for  his  flowers.  He  had  these  beds  laid  off  on  the  lawn, 
under  the  windows,  and  many  a time  I have  run  after  him  when  he 
went  out  to  direct  the  work,  accompanied  by  one  of  his  gardners,  gener- 
ally Wormley,  armed  with  spade  and  hoe,  whilst  he  himself  carried  the 
measuring-line.  I was  too  young  to  aid  him,  except  in  a small  way,  but 
my  sister,  Mrs.  Bankhead,  then  a young  and  beautiful  woman,  . . . 
was  his  active  and  useful  assistant.  I remember  the  planting  of  the 
first  hyacinths  and  tulips,  and  their  subsequent  growth.  The  roots  ar- 
rived, labelled  each  one  with  a fancy  name.  There  was  Marcus 
Aurelius,  and  the  King  of  the  Gold  Mine,  the  Roman  Empress,  and  the 
Queen  of  the  Amazons,  Psyche,  the  God  of  Love,  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 
Eagerly,  and  with  childish  delight,  I studied  this  brilliant  nomenclature, 
and  wondered  what  strange  and  surprisingly  beautiful  creations  I should 
see  rising  from  the  ground  when  spring  returned,  and  these  precious 
roots  were  committed  to  the  earth  under  my  grandfather’s  own  eye, 
with  his  beautiful  grand-daughter  Anne  standing  by  his  side,  and  a 
crowd  of  happy  young  faces,  of  younger  grandchildren,  clustering  round 
to  see  the  progress,  and  inquire  anxiously  the  name  of  each  separate  de- 
posit. Then,  when  spring  returned,  how  eagerly  we  watched  the  first 
appearance  of  the  shoots  above  ground.  Each  root  was  marked  with  its 
own  name  written  on  a bit  of  stick  by  its  side,  and  what  joy  it  was  for 
one  of  us  to  discover  the  tender  green  breaking  through  the  mould,  and 
run  to  granpapa  to  announce,  that  we  really  believed  Marcus  Aurelius 
was  coming  up,  or  the  Queen  of  the  Amazons  was  above  ground  1 With 
how  much  pleasure  compounded  of  our  pleasure  and  his  own,  on  the 
new  birth,  he  would  immediately  go  out  to  verify  the  fact,  and  praise  us 
for  our  diligent  watchfulness.  T^en  when  the  flowers  were  in  bloom, 
and  we  were  in  ecstacies  over  the  rich  purple  and  crimson,  or  pure 
white,  or  delicate  lilac,  or  pale  yellow  of  the  blossoms,  how  he  would 
sympathize  in  our  admiration,  or  discuss  with  my  mother  and  elder 


Appendix  III  6^7 

sister  new  groupings  and  combinations  and  contrasts.  Oh,  these  were 
happy  moments  for  us  and  for  himl 

It  was  in  the  morning,  immediately  after  our  early  breakfast,  that  he 
used  to  visit  his  flower-beds  and  his  garden.  . . . (Randall,  Jefferson  3: 

346-347-) 

Extracts  from  the  Diary  of  General  John  Hartwell  Cocke, 
OF  Bremo,  Fluvanna  County,  Virginia 

March  27,  1817. 

. . . Sent  to  Monticello  for  some  Marseilles  figs  and  Paper  Mul- 
berry, and  at  the  same  time  sent  M'.  Jefferson  some  wine  made  from 
the  Scuppernong  grape  of  North  Carolina,  a fruit  which  must  be  well 
worthy  to  be  cultivated.  The  wine  is  of  delicious  flavour,  resembling 
Frontinac.  . . . 

March  28,  1817. 

Jesse  returned  from  Monticello  with  plants  of  the  Marseilles  fig,  the 
Otaheit  or  Paper  Mulberry,  some  cuttings  of  a peculiar  species  of  lom- 
bardy  poplar  which  M'.  Jefferson  brought  from  France,  “being  a tree 
of  some  shade”,  two  plants  of  the  prickly  locust  (Robinia  hispida)  & 
two  plants  of  the  snowberry  bro‘  by  the  late  Capt  Lewis  from  the 
Pacific.  . . . 

July  26,  1817. 

M',  Jefferson  gave  us  the  following  history  of  the  introduction  of  the 
Cedar  into  Albemarle:  M'.  Hukman  the  fourth  settler  in  that  County 
carried  up  the  first  tree.  M'.  Bolling  the  Brother  in  law  of  M^  J, 
planted  two  near  the  grave  of  one  of  his  children  at  Shadwdl  about  the 
year  1753  from  which  all  in  that  neighborhood  came. 

M*.  Madison  gave  us  the  following  acc“‘.  of  the  first  introduction  of 
the  Cedar  into  Orange  County.  His  Father  who  married  his  mother 
in  y*.  neighborhood  of  Port  Royal  made  various  attempts  to  transplant 
the  young  trees  from  that  part  of  the  county  without  success.  At  length, 
being  advised  to  try  to  succeed  with  the  berries,  he  accordingly  brought 
up  a quantity  and  buried  them  in  a corner  of  the  yard  where  after  a 
lapse  of  seven  years  two  only  were  found  to  have  vegetated.  This  he 
says  from  the  best  recollection  of  his  mother,  who  is  still  living,  was 
about  60  years  ago.  ... 

From  M^  Jefferson  we  got  the  following  history  of  the  Lombardy 
Poplar  and  Weeping  Willow. 

M'.  Thomas  Willing,  of  PhiK  receiving  a basket  of  fruit  from  the 
Island  of  Madeira,  having  used  the  fruit,  threw  the  Basket  into  a sink 
in  his  yard.  After  some  time  it  was  found  that  a part  of  the  basket  had 
taken  root  and  was  growing  and  became  the  first  Weeping  Willow  tree 
ever  known  in  America.  M'.  J — saw  it  first  in  the  year  1775  when  he 
supposes  from  its  size  at  that  time  it  must  have  been  four  or  five  years  old. 

The  Lombardy  Poplar  was  first  introduced  into  Philadelphia  by  M^ 
W”  Hamilton  in  the  year  1785.  In  the  year  1789  M'.  J.  brought  from 


Appendix  III 


638 

Europe  with  him  a species  of  this  tree  somewhat  different  from  the  com- 
mon tall  and  slim  lombardy,  M'.  J’s  being  a tree  of  some  shade 

The  Catalpa  first  introduced  from  North  Carolina  when  M'.  Jeffer- 
son was  a boy. 

Received  from  M'.  Jefferson  when  last  with  him  this  acc“‘  of  the  Pear 
known  in  Albemarle  by  the  name  of  the  Meriweathcr  Pear; 

On  a visit  he  once  made  to  M^  Nick  Meriweathcr,  he  informed  that 
he  had  once  put  up  a parcel  of  these  pears  packed  in  tow  in  a trunk. 
Twelve  months  after  supposing  the  pears  were  all  used  in  getting  some 
tow  to  wash  his  gun  he  found  one  of  the  fruit  and  that  it  was  in  a 
candied  state  like  a preserve.  The  following  year  Jefferson  put  up 
some  of  this  fruit  in  the  like  manner  packed  it  in  tow  and  in  the  course 
of  the  following  winter  went  on  to  Congress  then  sitting  at  Annapolis, 
from  whence  he  was  sent  on  a mission  to  France  where  he  remained 
seven  years.  Upon  his  return  to  Monticello  to  his  great  astonishment 
he  found  his  pears  in  the  state  of  candied  preserve.  (Courtesy  of  Miss 
Betty  Cocke.) 


A Statement  of  the  Vegetabi-e  market  of  Washington,  during  a period  of  8.  years,  wherein  the 

EARUEST  & IATEST  APPEARANCE  OF  EACH  ARTICLE  WITHIN  THE  WHOLE  8.  YEARS  IS  NOTED. 


Appendix  III 


639 


(Randall,  Jeffarttm  i:  pi.  fadng  p.  44.) 


APPENDIX  IV 


Jefferson’s 

Scheme  for  a System  of  Agricultural  Societies 
March,  i8ii 

Several  persons,  farmers  and  planters  of  the  county  of  Albemarle, 
having,  during  their  visits  and  occasional  meetings  together,  in  con- 
versations on  the  subjects  of  their  agricultural  pursuits,  received  con- 
siderable'benefits  from  an  intercommunication  of  their  plans  and  proc- 
esses in  husbandry,  they  have  imagined  that  these  benefits  might  be 
usefully  extended  by  enlarging  the  field  of  communication  so  as  to  em- 
brace the  whole  dimensions  of  the  State.  Were  practical  and  observing 
husbandmen  in  each  county  to  form  themselves  into  a society,  commit  to 
writing  themselves,  or  state  in  conversations  at  their  meetings  to  be 
written  down  by  others,  their  practices  and  observations,  their  experi- 
ences and  ideas,  selections  from  these  might  be  made  from  time  to  time 
by  every  one  for  his  own  use,  or  by  the  society  or  a committee  of  it,  for 
more  general  purposes.  By  an  interchange  of  these  selections  among 
the  societies  of  the  different  counties,  each  might  thus  become  possessed 
of  the  useful  ideas  and  processes  of  the  whole ; and  every  one  adopt  such 
of  them  as  he  should  deem  suitable  to  his  own  situation.  Or  to  abridge 
the  labor  of  such  multiplied  correspondences,  a central  society  might  be 
agreed  on  to  which,  as  a common  deposit,  all  the  others  should  send  their 
communications.  The  society  thus  honored  by  the  general  confidence, 
would  doubtless  feel  and  fulfil  the  duty  of  selecting  such  papers  as  should 
be  worthy  of  entire  communication,  of  extracting  and  digesting  from 
others  whatever  might  be  useful,  and  of  condensing  their  matter  within 
such  compass  as  might  reconcile  it  to  the  reading,  as  well  as  to  the  pur- 
chase of  the  great  mass  of  practical  men.  Many  circumstances  would 
recommend,  for  the  central  society,  that  which  should  be  established  in 
the  county  of  the  seat  of  government.  The  necessary  relations  of  every 
county  with  that  would  afford  facilities  for  all  the  transmissions  which 
should  take  place  between  them.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  legislature 
at  that  place,  the  individuals  of  which  would  most  frequently  be  mem- 
bers of  their  county  societies,  would  give  opportunities  of  informal  con- 
ferences which  might  promote  a general  and  useful  understanding  among 
all  the  societies ; and  presses  established  there  offer  conveniences  entirely 
peculiar  to  that  situation. 

In  a country,  of  whose  interests  agriculture  forms  the  basis,  wherein 
the  sum  of  productions  is  limited  by  the  quantity  of  the  labor  it  possesses, 
and  not  of  its  lands,  a more  judicious  employment  of  that  labor  would 
be  a clear  addition  of  gain  to  individuals  as  well  as  to  the  nation,  now 
lost  to  both  by  a want  of  skill  and  information  in  its  direction.  Every 
one  must  have  seen  farms  otherwise  equiJ,  the  one  producing  the  double 

640 


Appendix  IV 


641 

of  the  other  by  the  superior  culture  and  management  of  its  possessor;  and 
every  one  must  have  under  his  eye  numerous  examples  of  persons  setting 
out  in  life  with  no  other  possession  than  skill  in  agriculture,  and  speedily, 
by  its  sole  exercise,  acquire  wealth  and  independence.  To  promote, 
therefore,  the  diffusion  of  this  skill,  and  thereby  to  procure,  with  the 
same  labor  now^  employed,  greater  means  of  subsistence  and  of  happiness 
to  our  fellow  citizens,  is  the  ultimate  object  of  this  association ; and  to- 
wards effecting  it,  we  consider  the  following  particulars  among  those 
most  worthy  of  the  attention  of  the  societies  proposed. 

1st.  And  principally  the  cultivation  of  our  primary  staples  of  wheat, 
tobacco,  and  hemp,  for  market 

2d.  All  subsidiary  articles  for  the  support  of  the  farm,  the  food,  the 
clothing  and  the  comfort  of  the  household,  as  Indian  corn,  rye,  oats, 
barley,  buckwheat,  millet,  the  family  of  peas  and  beans,  the  whole 
family  of  grasses,  turnips,  potatoes,  Jerusalem  artichokes,  and  other  use- 
ful roots,  cotton  and  flax,  the  garden  and  orchard. 

3d.  The  care  and  services  of  useful  animals  for  the  saddle  or 
draught,  for  food  or  clothing,  and  the  destruction  of  noxious  quadrupeds, 
fowls,  insects,  and  reptiles. 

4th.  Rotations  of  crops,  and  the  circumstances  which  should  govern 
or  vary  them,  according  to  the  varieties  of  soil,  climate,  and  markets,  of 
our  different  counties. 

5th.  Implements  of  husbandry  and  operations  with  them,  among 
which  the  plough  and  all  its  kindred  instruments  for  dividing  the  soil, 
holds  the  first  place,  and  the  threshing  machine  an  important  one,  the 
simplification  of  which  is  a great  desideratum.  Successful  examples,  too, 
of  improvement  in  the  operations  of  these  instruments  would  be  an  ex- 
citement to  correct  the  slovenly  and  unproductive  practices  too  gener- 
ally prevalent. 

6th.  Farm  buildings  and  conveniences,  indosures,  roads,  fuel,  timber. 

7th.  Manures,  plaster,  green-dressings,  fallows,  and  other  means  of 
amdiorating  the  soil. 

8th.  Cdendars  of  works,  showing  how  a given  number  of  laborers 
and  a draught  of  animals  are  to  be  employed  every  day  in  the  year  so  as 
to  perform  within  themselves,  and  in  their  due  time,  according  to  the 
usual  course  of  seasons,  all  the  operations  of  a farm  of  given  size.  This 
being  essential  to  the  proportioning  the  labor  to  the  size  of  the  farm. 

9th.  A succinct  report  of  the  different  practices  of  husbandry  in  the 
county,  induding  the  bad  as  well  as  the  good,  that  those  who  follow  the 
former  may  re^  and  see  their  own  condemnation  in  the  same  page 
which  offers  better  examples  for  their  adoption.  It  is  believed  that  a 
judicious  execution  of  this  artide  alone,  might  nearly  supersede  every 
other  duty  of  the  society,  inasmuch  as  if  would  present  every  good  prac- 
tice which  has  occurred  to  the  mind  of  any  cultivator  of  the  State  for 
imitation,  and  every  bad  one  for  avoidance.  And  the  choicest  processes 
culled  from  every  farm,  would  compose  a course  probably  near  per- 
fection. 

loth.  The  county  communications  being  first  digested  in  their  re- 
spective societies,  a methodical  and  compact  digest  and  publication  of 


Appbkdix  IV 


64a 

these  would  be  the  duty  of  the  central  society ; and  on  the  judicious  per- 
formance of  this,  would  in  a great  degree  depend  the  utility  of  the  insti- 
tutions, and  extent  of  improvement  flowing  from  them. 

nth.  That  we  may  not  deter  from  becoming  members,  those  jjracti- 
cal  and  observing  husbandmen  whose  knowledge  is  the  most  valuable, 
and  who  are  mostly  to  be  found  in  that  portion  of  citizens  with  whom 
the  observance  of  economy  is  necessary,  all  duties  of  every  kind  should 
be  performed  gratis ; and  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  central  publica- 
tion alone,  each  member  should  pay  at  the  first  stated  meeting  of  his  so- 
ciety in  every  year,  - dollars,  for  which  he  should  be  entitled 

to  receive  a copy  of  the  publication  bound  in  boards. 

lath.  The  first  association  of  persons  in  any  county 

notifying  themselves  as  constituted  to  the  central  society,  should  be  re- 
ceived as  the  society  of  the  county  making  a part  of  the  general  estab- 
lishment here  proposed ; but  every  county  society  should  be  free  to  adopt 
associate  members,  although  residents  of  other  counties,  and  to  receive 
and  avail  the  institution  of  communications  from  persons  not  members, 
whether  in  or  out  of  their  county. 

We  are  far  from  presuming  to  offer  this  organization  and  these  prin- 
ciples of  constitution  as  complete,  and  worthy  the  implicit  adoption  of 
other  societies.  They  are  suggested  only  as  propositions  for  considera- 
tion and  amendment,  and  we  shall  readily  accede  to  any  others  more 
likely  to  effect  the  purposes  we  have  in  view.  We  know  that  agricul- 
tural societies  are  already  established  in  some  counties ; but  we  are  not 
informed  of  their  particular  constitutions.  We  request  these  to  be  ad- 
mitted into  their  brotherhood,  and  to  make  with  them  parts  of  one  great 
whole.  We  have  learned  that  such  a society  is  formed  or  forming  at  the 
seat  of  our  government.  We  ask  their  affiliation,  and  give  them  our 
suffrage  for  the  station  of  central  society.  We  promise  to  all  our  zealous 
co-operation  in  promoting  the  objects  of  the  institution,  and  to  con- 
tribute our  mite  in  exchange  for  the  more  abundant  information  we 
shall  receive  from  others. 

For  these  purposes  we  now  constitute  ourselves  an  agricultural  so- 
ciety of  the  county  of  Albemarle,  and  adopt  as  rules  for  present  ob- 
servance, the  principles  before  stated. 

Our  further  organization  shall  be  a president,  secretary  and  treasurer, 
to  be  chosen  at  the  first  stated  meeting  to  be  held  in  every  year,  by  a 
majority  of  the  members  present,  provided  those  present  be  a majority 
of  the  existing  members,  and  to  continue  in  office  until  another  election 
shall  be  made. 

There  shall  be  four  stated  meetings  in  every  year,  to  wit:  on  the  first 
Mondays  in  January,  April,  July  and  October. 

The  place  of  meeting,  and  rules  of  the  society,  shall  be  established, 
revoked  or  altered,  and  new  members  admitted,  at  any  of  the  stated 
meetings,  by  a majority  of  the  attending  members,  if  they  be  a ma- 
jority of  those  present,  not  being  less  than  one-fourth  qf  the  whole. 
And,  lest  the  powers  given  to  the  greater  quorum  of  a majority  of  the 
whole,  should  at  any  time  remain  unexercised  from  insufficient  attend- 
ance, the  same  may  be  exercised  by  a resolution  of  ffie  lesser  quorum  of 


Appbnddc  IV 


643 

one-fourth,  passed  at  a stated  meeting:  provided  it  be  confirmed  at  the 
next  stated  meeting,  by  either  a greater  or  lesser  quorum,  and  in  the 
meantime  have  no  force. 

Those  who  for  two  whole  years  shall  not  have  attended  any  stated 
meeting  shall,  ipso  facto,  cease  to  be  members.  And  to  ascertain  at  all 
times  who  are  the  existing  members,  the  names  of  those  attending  every 
meeting  shall  be  regularly  entered  in  the  journals  of  the  society. 

The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  when  present,  and  when 
absent  a president  pro  tempore  may  be  appointed  for  that  purpose  by 
those  present.  (Lipscomb  and  Bergh,  Jefferson  17:  4O4-410.) 

[The  Albemarle  Agricultural  Society  was  founded  October,  1817, 
with  James  Madison  as  its  first  President.] 


APPENDIX  V 

Jefferson’s  Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia 
Plants 

Jefferson’s  Notes  on  the  State  of  Virginia  was  written  In 
the  year  1781  in  answer  to  a series  of  questions  from  M.  de 
Marbois,  of  the  French  Legation  in  Philadelphia,  who  had 
requested  some  statistical  accounts  of  the  State  of  Virginia 
for  the  use  of  his  Government.  At  the  request  of  his  friends 
for  copies  of  the  Notes,  Jefferson  had  it  published  in  France 
in  1784-1785.  This  edition  of  two  hundred  copies,  which  is 
dated  1782,  was  followed  by  an  unauthorized  French  edition, 
and  in  1787  by  an  authorized  English  one.  Since  that  date 
other  English  editions,  a French  and  a German  translation, 
and  numerous  American  editions  have  been  published. 

Under  Query  VI,  A Notice  of  the  Mines  and  other  Sub- 
terraneous riches;  its  trees,  plants,  fruits,  &c,  Jefferson  an- 
swered the  query  on  plants  as  follows: 

A complete  catalogue  of  the  trees,  plants,  fruits  See.  is  probably  not 
desired.  1 will  sket<^  out  those  which  would  principally  attract  notice, 
as  being  1.  Medicinal,  2.  Esculent,  3.  Ornamental,  or  4.  Useful  for 
fabrication;  adding  the  Linnaean  to  the  popular  names,  as  the  latter 
might  not  convey  precise  information  to  a foreigner.  I shall  confine 
myself  too  to  native  plants. 

I.  Senna.  Cassia  ligustrina. 

Arsmart.  Polygonum  Sagittatum. 

Clivers,  or  goose-grass.  Galium  spurium. 

Lobelia  of  several  species. 

Palma  christi.  Ricinus. 

(3,)  James-town  weed.  Datura  Stramonium. 

Mallow.  Malva  rotundifolia. 

Syrian  mallow.  Hibiscus  moschentos. 

Hibiscus  Vi^nicus. 

Indian  mallow.  Sida  rhombifolia. 

Sida  abutilon. 

Virginia  Marshmallow.  Napaea  hermaphrodita. 

Napaea  dioica. 

Indian  physic.  Spiraea  trifoliata. 

Euphorbia  Ipecacuanhae. 


Appekdix  V 


645 


Pleurisy  root.  Asclepias  decumbens. 

Virginia  snake-root.  Aristolochia  serpentaria. 

Black  snake-root.  Actaea  racemosa. 

Seneca  rattlesnake-root.  Polygala  senega. 

Valerian.  Valeriana  locusta  radiata. 

Gentian.  Saponaria  villosa  & centaurium. 

Ginseng.  Panax  quinquefolium, 

Angelica.  Angelica  sylvestris. 

Cassava.  Jatropha  urens. 

Tuckahoe.  Lycoperdon  tuber. 

Jerusalem  artichoke.  Helianthus  tuberosus. 

Long  potatoes.  Convolvulas  batatas. 

Granadillas.  ^ Maycocks.  Maracocks.  Passiflora  incarnata. 

Panic.  Panicum  of  many  species. 

Indian  millet.  Holcus  laxus. 

Holcus  striosus. 

Wild  oat.  Zizania  aquatica. 

Wild  pea.  Dolichos  of  Qayton. 

Lupine.  Lupinus  perennis. 

Wild  hop.  Humulus  lupulus. 

Wild  cherry.  Prunus  virginiana. 

Cherokee  plumb.  Prunus  sylvestris  fructu  majori.')  davton 
Wild  plumb.  Prunus  sylvestris  fructu  minori.  J ^ 

Wild  crab  apple.  Pyrus  coronaria. 

Red  mulberry.  Morus  rubra. 

Persimmon.  Diospyros  virginiana. 

Sugar  maple.  Acer  saccharinum. 

Scaly  bark  hiccory.  Juglans  alba  cortice  squamoso.  Clayton. 
Common  hiccory.  Juglans  alba,  fructu  minore  rancido.  Clayton. 
Paccan,  or  Illinois  nut.  Not  described  by  Linnaeus,  Miller,  or 
Clayton.  Were  I to  venture  to  describe  this,  speaking  of  the 
fruit  from  memory,  and  of  the  leaf  from  plants  of  two  years 
growth,  I should  specify  it  as  the  Juglans  alba,  foliolis  lanceolatis, 
acuminatis,  serratis,  toraentosis,  fructu  minore,  ovato,  compresso, 
vix  insculpto,  dulci,  putamine  tenerrimo.  It  grows  on  the  Illinois, 
Wabash,  Ohio,  and  Missisipi.  It  is  spoken  of  by  Don  Ulloa 
under  the  name  of  pacanos,  in  his  Noticias  Americanas.  Entret.  6. 
Black  walnut.  Juglans  nigra. 

White  walnut.  Juglans  alba. 

Chesnut.  Fagus  castanea. 

Chinquapin.  Fagus  pumila. 

Hazelnut.  Corylus  avellana. 

Grapes.  Vitis.  Various  kinds,  though  only  three  described  by 
Clayton. 

Scarlet  Strawberries.  Fragaria  virginiana  of  Millar. 
Whortleberries.  Vaccinium  uliginosum? 

Wild  gooseberries.  Ribes  grossularia. 

Cranberries.  'Vaccinium  oxycoccos. 


Appendix  V 


646 

Black  raspberries.  Rubus  occidentalis. 
Blackberries.  Rubus  firuticosus. 

Dewberries.  Rubus  ckesius. 

Cloudberries.  Rubus  chamaemorus. 

3.  Plane-tree.  Platanus  occidentalis. 

Poplar.  Liriodeodron  tulipifera. 

Populus  hcterophylla. 

Black  poplar.  Populus  nigra. 

Aspen.  Populus  tremula. 

Linden,  or  lime.  Ttlia  Americana. 

Red  flowering  maple.  Acer  rubrum. 
Horse-chestnut  or  Buck’s-eye.  Aesculus  pavia. 
Catalpa.  Bignonia  catalpa. 

Umbrella.  Magnolia  tripetala. 

Swamp  laurel.  Magnolia  glauca. 

Cucumber-tree.  Magnolia  acuminata. 

Portugal  bay.  Laurus  indica. 

Red  bay.  Laurus  borbonia. 

Dwari-rose  bay.  Rhododendron  maximum. 
Laurel  of  the  western  country.  Qu.  species? 
Wild  pimento.  Laurus  benzoin. 

Sassafras.  Laurus  sassafras. 

Locust.  Robinia  pseudo-acacia. 

Honey-locust.  Gleditsia.  i. 

Dogwood.  Cornus  florida. 

Fringe  or  snowdrop-tree.  Chionanthus  virginica. 
Barberry.  Barberis  vulgaris. 

Redbud  or  Judas-tree.  Ccrcis  canadensis. 

Holly.  Ilex  aquifolium. 

Coclcspur  hawthorn.  Crataegus  coccinea. 
Spindle-tree.  Euonymus  Europaeus. 

Evergreen  spindle-tree.  Euonymus  Americanus. 
Itea  Virginica. 

Elder.  Sambucus  nigra. 

Papaw.  Annona  triloba. 

Candleberry  myrtle.  Myrica  cerifera. 

Ivy.  Hedera  quinquefolia. 

Trumpet  honeysuckle.  Lonicera  sempervirens. 
Upright  honeysuckle.  Azalea  nudiflora. 

Yellow  jasmine.  Bignonia  sempervirens. 
Calycanthus  floridus. 

American  aloe.  Agave  virginica. 

Sumach.  Rhus.  Qu.  species? 

Poke.  Phytolacca  decandra. 

Long  moss.  Tillandsia  Usneoides. 


Appendix  V 


647 


4,  Reed.  Arundo  phragmitis. 

Virginia  hemp.  Acnida  cannabina. 

Flax.  Linum  Virginianum. 

Black  or  pitch-pine.  Finns  taeda. 

White  pine.  Finns  sttobns. 

Yellow  pine.  Finns  virginica. 

Spruce  pine.  Finns  foliis  singularibus.  Clayton. 

Hemlock  spruce  fir.  Finns  Canadensis. 

Abor  vitae.  Thuya  occidentalis. 

Juniper.  Juniperus  virginica.  (Called  cedar  with  us.) 

Cypress.  Cupressus  disticha. 

Black  oak.  Quercus  nigra. 

White  oak.  Quercus  alba. 

Red  oak.  Quercus  rubra. 

Willow  oak.  Quercus  phellos. 

Chesnut  oak.  Quercus  prinus. 

Black  jack  oak.  Quercus  aquatica.  Clayton.  Query? 

Ground  oak.  Quercus  pumila.  Clayton. 

Live  oak.  Quercus  virginiana.  Millar. 

Black  birch.  Betula  nigra. 

White  birch.  Betula  alba. 

Beach.  Fagus  sylvatica. 

Ash.  Fraxinus  americana. 

Fraxinus  novae  angliae.  Millar, 

Elm.  Ulmus  americana. 

Willow.  Salix.  Query  species? 

Sweet  gum.  Liquidambar  styraciflua. 

The  following  were  found  in  Virginia  when  first  visited  by  the  Eng- 
lish ; but  it  is  not  said  whether  of  spontaneous  growth,  or  by  cultivation 
only.  Most  probably  they  were  natives  of  more  southern  climates,  and 
handed  along  the  continent  from  one  nation  to  another  of  the  savages. 

Tobacco.  Nicotiana. 

Maize.  Zea  mays. 

Round  potatoes.  Solanum  tuberosum. 

Fumpkins.  Cucurbita  pepo, 

Cymiings.  Cucurbita  verrucosa. 

Squashes.  Cucurbita  melopepo. 

There  is  an  infinitude  of  other  plants  and  flowers,  for  an  enumeration 
and  scientific  description  of  which  I must  refer  to  the  Flora  Virginica  of 
our  great  botanist,  Dr.  Clayton,  published  by  Gronovius  at  Leyden,  in 
1762,  This  accurate  observer  was  a native  and  resident  of  this  state, 
passed  a long  life  in  exploring  and  describing  it’s  plants,  and  is  supposed 
to  have  enlarged  the  botanical  catalogue  as  much  as  almost  any  man  who 
has  lived. 

Besides  these  plants,  which  are  native,  our  Farms  produce  wheat,  rye, 
barley,  oats,  bu^  wheat,  broom  corn,  and  Indian  corn.  The  climate 


Appendix  V 


648 

suits  rice  well  enough,  wherever  the  lands  do.  Tobacco,  hemp,  flax, 
and  cotton,  are  staple  commodities.  Indigo  yields  two  cuttings.  The 
silk-worm  is  a native,  and  the  mulberry,  proper  for  its  food,  grows  kindly. 

We  cultivate  also  potatoes,  both  the  long  and  the  round,  turneps,  car- 
rots, parsneps,  pumpkins,  and  ground  nuts  (Arachis).  Our  grasses  are 
Lucerne,  St.  Foin,  Burnet,  Timothy,  ray  and  orchard  grass,  red,  white, 
and  yellow  clover,  greenswerd,  blue  grass,  and  crab  grass. 

The  gardens  yield  musk  melons,  water  melons,  tomatas,  okra,  pome- 
granates, figs,  and  the  esculent  plants  of  Europe. 

The  orchards  produce  apples,  pears,  cherries,  quinces,  peaches,  nectar- 
ines, apricots,  almonds,  and  plumbs.  (Thomas  Jefferson,  Notes  on  the 
State  of  Virginia  (Paris,  178a  [1784-1785]:  61-69.) 


APPENDIX  VI 


Jefferson’s  Description  of  His  Mouldboard  of  Least 
Resistance  in  a Letter  to  Sir  John  Sinclair 

Philadelphia,  March  23,  1798. 

Dear  Sir, 

I have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  two  favors  of  June  21,  and 
July  IS,  and  of  several  separate  parcels  containing  the  agricultural  re- 
ports. These  now  form  a great  mass  of  information  on  a subject,  of  all 
in  the  world,  the  most  interesting  to  man:  for  none  but  the  husbandman 
makes  anything  for  him  to  eat;  and  he  who  can  double  his  food,  as  your 
exertions  bid  fair  to  do,  deserves  to  rank,  among  his  benefactors,  next 
after  his  Creator.  Among  so  many  reports  of  transcendent  merit,  one 
is  unwilling  to  distinguish  particulars.  Yet  the  application  of  the  new 
chemistry,  to  the  subject  of  manures,  the  discussion  of  the  question  on 
the  size  of  farms,  the  treatise  on  the  potatoe,  from  their  universality 
have  an  advantage  in  other  countries,  over  those  which  are  topographical. 
The  work  which  shall  be  formed,  as  the  result  of  the  whole,  we  shall 
expect  with  impatience. 

Permit  me,  through  you,  to  make  here  my  acknowledgments  to  the 
board  of  agriculture  for  the  honour  they  have  been  pleased  to  confer  on 
me  by,  associating  me  to  their  institution.  In  love  for  the  art,  1 am 
truly  their  associate:  but  events  have  controuled  my  predelection  for  its 
practice,  and  denied  to  me  that  uninterrupted  attention,  which  alone 
can  enable  us  to  advance  in  it  with  a sure  step.  Perhaps  I may  find  op- 
portunities of  being  useful  to  you  as  a centinel  at  an  outpost,  by  convey- 
ing intelligence  of  whatever  may  occur  here  new  and  interesting  to 
agriculture.  This  duty  I shall  perform  with  pleasure,  as  well  in  re- 
spectful return  for  the  notice  of  the  board,  as  from  a zeal  for  improving 
the  condition  of  human  life,  by  an  interchange  of  its  comforts,  and  of 
the  information  which  may  increase  them.  , . . 

In  a former  letter  to  you,  I mentioned  the  construction  of  the  mould- 
board  of  a plough  which  had  occurred  to  me,  as  advantageous  in  its 
form,  as  certain  and  invariable  in  the  method  of  obtaining  it  with  pre- 
cision. I remember  that  Mr.  Strickland  of  York,  a member  of  your 
board,  was  so  well  satisHeld  with  the  principles  on  which  it  was  formed 
that  he  took  some  drawings  of  it;  and  some  others  have  considered  it 
with  the  same  approbation.  An  experience  of  five  years  has  enabled  me 
to  say,  it  answers  in  practice  to  what  it  promises  in  theory. 

The  Mouldboard  should  be  a continuation  of  the  wing  of  the  plough- 
share, beginning  at  it’s  hinder  edge,  & in  the  same  plane.  it|s  first 
office  is  to  receive  the  sod  horizontally  from  the  wing,  to  raise  it  to  a 
proper  height  for  being  turned  over,  & to  make,  in  it’s  progress,  the 

649 


Appendix  VI 


650 

Uiisi  resistance  possible;  & consequently  to  require  a minimum  in  the 
moving  power,  were  this  it's  only  office,  the  wedge  would  ofler  itself 
as  the  most  * eligible  form  in  practice,  but  the  sod  is  to  be  turned  over 
also,  to  do  this,  the  one  edge  of  it  is  not  to  be  raised  at  all : for  to  raise 
this  would  be  a waste  of  labour,  the  other  edge  is  to  be  raised  till  it 
passes  the  perpendicular,  that  it  may  fall  over  with  its  own  weight,  and 
that  this  may  be  done  so  as  to  give  also  the  least  resistance,  it  must  be 
made  to  rise  gradually  from  the  moment  the  sod  is  received,  the  mould' 
board  then  in  this  second  office,  operates  as  a transverse,  or  rising  wedge, 
the  point  of  which  sliding  back  horizontally  on  the  ground,  the  other  end 
continues  rising  till  it  passes  the  perpendicular,  or,  to  vary  the  point  of 
view,  place  on  the  ground  a wedge  of  the  breadth  of  the  plough^are,  of 
it’s  length  from  the  wing  backwards,  & as  high  at  the  heel  as  it  is  wide, 
draw  a diagonal  on  it’s  upperface  from  the  left  angle  at  the  point  to  the 
right  upper  angle  of  the  heel,  bevil  the  face  from  the  diagonal  to  the 
right-bottom-edge  which  lies  on  the  ground,  that  half  is  then  evidently 
in  the  best  form  for  performing  the  two  offices  of  raising  and  turning 
the  sod  gradually,  & with  the  least  effort:  and  if  you  will  suppose  the 
same  bevil  continued  across  the  left  side  of  the  diagonal,  that  is,  if  you 
will  suppose  a strait  line,  whose  length  is  at  least  equal  to  the  breadth  of 
the  wedge,  applied  on  the  face  of  the  first  bevil,  & moved  backwards  on 
it  parallel  with  itself  & with  the  ends  of  the  wedge,  the  lower  end  of 
the  line  moving  along  the  right-bottom-edge,  a curved  plane  will  be 
generated  whose  characteristic  will  be  a combination  of  the  principle  of 
the  wedge  in  cross  directions,  & will  give  what  we  seek,  the  mould  board 
of  least  resistance,  it  offers  too  this  great  advantage  that  it  may  be 
made  by  the  coarsest  workman,  by  a process  so  exact,  that  its  form  shall 
never  be  varied  by  a single  hair’s  breadth,  one  fault  of  all  other  mould- 
boards  is  that,  being  copied  by  the  eye,  no  two  will  be  alike,  in  truth  it 
is  easier  to  form  the  mouldboard  I speak  of  with  precision,  when  the 
method  has  been  once  seen,  than  to  describe  that  method  either  by  words 
or  figure.  I will  attempt  however  to  describe  it.  whatever  may  not 
be  intelligible  from  the  description  may  be  supplied  from  the  model  I 
send  you. 

Let  the  breadth  & depth  of  the  furrow  the  farmer  usually  opens, 
as  also  the  length  of  his  plough-bar,  from  where  it  joins  the  wing 
to  the  hinder  end,  be  given ; as  these  fix  the  dimensions  of  the  block 
of  which  the  mouldboard  is  to  be  made,  suppose  the  furrow  9. 
Inches  wide,  6.  Inches  deep,  & the  ploubhbar  3.  feet  long,  then  the 

• l am  aware  that  were  the  turf  only  to  be  raised  to  a given  height  in  a given 
lengft  of  monidboard,  & not  to  be  turned  over,  the  form  of  least  resistance  would 
not  be  rigorously  a wedge  with  both  faces  strait,  but  with  the  upper  one  curved 
according  to  the  laws  of  the  solid  of  least  resistance  described  by  the  mathe- 
matlaans.  but  the  diSerence  between  the  effect  of  the  curved,  te  of  the  plain 
wedge,  in  the  case  of  a mouldboard,  is  to  minute,  and  the  difficully  in  the  execu- 
tion which  the  former  would  superinduce  on  common  workmen  is  so  great,  that 
the  plam  wedge  is  the  most  eligible  to  be  assumed  in  practice  for  the  first  ele- 
ment of  our  construetion. 


Appendix  VI 


651 


block  Fig.  I.  must  be  9.  I,  wide  at  bottom  (b.  c.)  13^ 

I,  wide  at  top  (a.  d.)  because  if  it  were  merely  of 
the  same  width  with  the  bottom,  as  a.  e.,  the  sod,  only 
raised  to  the  perpendicular,  would  fall  back  into  the 
furrow  by  it’s  own  elasticity.  I find  from  experience 
that,  in  my  soil,  the  top  of  the  mouldboard  should 
over-jet  the  perpendicular  4^  I.  in  a height  of  12.  I. 
to  ensure  that  the  weight  of  the  sod  shall  preponderate 
over  it’s  elasticity,  this  is  an  angle  of  nearly  22".  the  block  must  be 
12. 1,  high,  because,  unless  the  mouldboard  be  in  height  double  the  depth 
of  the  furrow,  in  ploughing  friable  earth,  it  will  be  thrown  in  waves 
over  the  mouldboard ; and  it  must  be  3 feet  long ; one  foot  of  which  is 
added  to  form  a tailpiece,  by  which  it  may  be  made  fast 
to  the  plough  handle,  the  first  operation  is  to  give  the 
first  form  to  this  tailpiece,  by  sawing  the  block  Fig.  2. 
across  from  a.  b.  on  it’s  left  side  (which  is  12.  I.  from 
it’s  hinder  end)  along  the  line  b.  c.  to  c.  within  I. 
of  the  right  side,  & to  the  corresponding  point  in  the 
bottom,  1^1.  also  from  the  side,  then  saw  in  again 
at  the  hinder  end  from  d.  e.  (i^  I.  from  the  right 
side)  along  the  line  d.  c.  the  block  a.  b.  c.  d.  e.  f.  g. 
drops  out  & leaves  the  tailpiece  c.  d.  e.  h.  i.  k.  I. 
thick,  the  fore  part  of  the  block  a.  b.  c.  k.  1.  m.  n. 
is  what  is  to  form  the  real  mouldboard,  with  a car- 
penter’s square  make  a scribe  all  around  the  block  at 
every  inch,  there  will  of  course  be  23.  of  them,  then 
from  the  point  k.  Fig.  2.  and  3.  draw  the  diagonals 
k.  m.  on  the  top,  & k.  o.  Fig.  3.  on  the  right  side, 
enter  a saw  at  the  point  m.  being  the  left-forc-upper 
corner,  & saw  in,  guiding  the  hinder  part  of  the  saw 
along  the  diagonal  m.  k.  (Fig,  2.  3.)  & the  forepart  down  the  left  edge 
of  the  block  at  the  fore-end  m.  1.  (Fig.  2.)  till  it  reaches  k.  and  1.  in  a 
strait  line,  it  will  then  have  reached  the  true  central 
diagonal  of  the  block  k.  1.  Fig.  5.  then  enter  the 
saw  at  the  point  o.  being  the  right-fore-bottom  corner, 

& saw  in,  guiding  the  hinder  part  of  the  saw  along  the 
diagonal  0,  k.  (Fig.  3.)  & the  forepart  along  the  bot- 
tom edge  of  the  fore-end  0. 1.  till  it  again  reaches  k.  1. 

Fig.  5,  the  same  central  diagonal  to  which  you  had 
cut  in  the  other  direction,  consequently  the  pyramid 
k.  m.  n.  0.  I.  Fig.  4.  drops  out,  & leaves  the  block  in 
the  form  Fig.  5.  you  will  now  observe  that  if,  in  the 
last  operation,  instead  of  stopping  the  saw  at  the  cen- 
tral diagonal  k,  1.  we  had  cut  through  the  block  in  the 
same  plane,  we  should  have  taken  off  a wedge  1.  m.  n. 
o.  k.  b.  Fig.  3.  and  left  the  block  in  the  form  of  a 
wedge  also.  1,  0.  k.  b.  a.  p.  k.  which,  when  speaking 
of  the  principle  of  the  mouldboard,  I observed  would 
be  the  most  perfect  form,  if  it  had  only  to  raise  the  sod. 


Fio.  3 


m 


ft  a <1 


Appendix  VI 


but  as  it  is  to  be  turned  over  also,  the  left  half  of  the  upper  wedge  is 
preserved  to  furnish,  on  the  left  side,  the  continuation  of  the  bevil  which 
was  proposed  to  be  made  on  the  right  half  of  the  bol- 
5 tom  wedge.  We  are  now  to  proceed  to  the  bevil, 
h'v  ' for  which  purpose  the  scribes  round  the  block  were 

\\  X formed  before  the  pyramidal  piece  was  taken  out;  & 
7 attention  must  be  used  not  to  mismatch  or  mistake 

/ them  now  that  they  are  disjoined  by  the  withdrawing 

^ / of  that  piece,  enter  the  saw  on  the  two  points  of  the 

\ / i“.  scribe,  where  it  has  been  disjoined,  which  is  ex- 

Y actly  where  it  intersected  the  two  superficial  diago- 

K nals,  Sc  saw  across  the  hollow  of  the  block,  guiding 

the  saw,  both  before  & behind,  along  the  same  scribe, 
* till  the  forepart  of  the  saw  reaches  the  bottom  edge 

of  the  right  side.  Sc  the  middle  of  the  saw  reaches  the  central  diagonal: 
the  hinder  part  will  of  course  continue  the  same  strait  line,  which 
will  issue  somewhere  on  the  top  of  the  block,  then  enter  the  saw 
in  like  manner  on  the  two  projecting  points  of  the  2**.  ^ 
scribe,  and  saw  in,  along  the  scribe,  before  and  behind,  ^ 
till  it  reaches  the  same  bottom  edge  of  the  right  side,  XVli 
& the  central  diagonal,  then  the  s"*.  4“*.  S*"-  etc.  ..XA  i 

scribes  successively,  after  cutting  in  several  of  the  “"W  / 

earlier  scribes,  the  hinder  part  of  the  saw  will  ifssue  at  A 

the  left  side  of  the  block,  & all  the  scribes  being  cut, 
the  saw  will  have  left  strait  lines  from  the  bottom 
edge  of  the  right  side  of  the  block,  across  the  central  ~ 

diagonal,  with  an  adze  dub  off  all  the  sawed  parts  to  \ 

the  bottoms  of  the  sawmarks,  just  leaving  the  traces  ^ 

visible,  & the  face  of  the  mouldboard  is  finished,  these  . • 

traces  will  show  how  the  cross  wedge  rises  gradually  ® Vv 

on  the  face  of  the  direct  wedge,  which  is  preserved  in 
the  trace  of  the  central  diagonal,  a person  may  repre- 
sent to  himself  sensibly  and  easily  the  manner  in  which  * 

the  sod  is  raised  on  this  mouldboard  by  describing  on  the  ground  a 
parallelogram  2 feet  long,  & 9.  I.  broad,  as  a.  b.  c.  d.  Fig.  6.  then  rest 
one  end  of  a stick  27}  I.  long  on  the  ground  at  b.  & raise  the  other  I3.  I. 
high  at  e.  which  is  4^  I.  from  d.  Sc  represents  the  overhanging  of  that 
side  of  the  mouldboard,  then  present  another  stick 
®« • » . • • ^ 12. 1,  long  from  a.  to  b,  and  move  it  backwards  parallel 

* J with  itself  from  a.  b.  to  d.  c.  keeping  one  end  of  it  al- 

* \ « ways  on  the  line  a.  d.  Sc  letting  the  other  rise  as  it  re- 

* \ I along  the  diagonal  stick  b.  e.  which  represents 

" \ \ our  central  diagond.  the  motion  of  the  cross  stick 

1 will  be  that  of  our  rising  wedge,  Sc  will  shew  how  every 

* Ik  transverse  line^  of  the  sod  is  conducted  from  it's  first 

*  horizon^  position,  till  it  is  raised  so  far  beyond  the 

C, “ perpendicular  as  to  fall  reversed  by  it’s  own  weight. 

Fm  6 work,  we  have  still  to  form  the 

underside  of  our  mouldboard,  turn  the  block  bottom 


Appendix  VI 


653 

up.  enter  the  saw  on  the  i“‘.  scribe,  at  what  was  the  bottom  edge  of  the 
left  side,  & cut  in,  guiding  the  instrument  at  both  ends  by  the  scribe,  till 
it  has  approached  within  an  inch,  or  any  other  distance  according  to  the 
thickness  you  chuse,  of  the  face,  then  cut  in  like  manner  all  the  other 
scribes,  & with  the  adze  dub  out  the  sawed  parts,  & the  mouldboard  is 
done. 

It  is  to  be  made  fast  to  the  plough,  by  resting  the  toe  in  the  hinder 
edge  of  the  wing,  which  must  be  made  double  like  a comb-case,  to  re- 
ceive & protect  the  fore-end  of  the  mouldboard,  then  pass  a.  screw 
through  the  mouldboard  & helve  the  ploughshare  where  they  touch  each 
other,  & two  others  through  the  tailpiece  of  the  mouldboard  & right 
handle  of  the  plough,  & cut  off  so  much  of  the  tailpiece  as  projects  be- 
hind the  handle,  diagonally,  & the  tyhole  is  done. 

I have  described  this  operation  in  it’s  simplest  mode,  that  it  might  be 
the  more  easily  understood,  but,  in  practice,  I have  found  some  other 
modifications  of  it  advantageous,  thus  instead  of  first 
forming  my  block  as  a.  b.  c.  d.  Fig.  7.  where  a.  b.  is 
12.  I.  and  the  angle  at  b.  a right  one,  I cut  a wedge-like 
piece  b.  c.  e.  ofE  of  the  bottom,  throu^  the  whole  length 
of  the  block,  b.  e.  being  equal  to  the  thickness  of  the  bar 
of  the  share  (suppose  i^  I.)  because,  the  face  of  the 
wing  declining  from  the  top  of  the  bar  to  the  ground, 
were  the  block  laid  on  the  share  without  an  equivalent 
bevil  at  it’s  bottom,  the  side  a.  b.  would  decline  from  the  perpendicular, 
and  a.  d.  from  it’s  horizontal  position.  Again,  instead  of  leaving  the  top 
of  the  block  13  i I.  wide  from  m.  to  n.  Fig  8.  I cut  a wedge  from  the 
right  side  n.  Ic  i.  c.  p.  n.  L thick  at  top,  8c  tapering  to  nothing  at 
bottom ; because  I find  that  the  tailpiece,  being  by  thu 
^ means  made  oblique,  as  c.  i.  instead  of  k.  i.  is  brought 
more  advantageously  to  the  side  of  the  handle,  the 
first  superficial  diagonal  is  consequently  brought  from 
m.  to  c.  and  not  from  m.  to  k,  as  in  the  first  directions, 
these  variations  will  be  easy  to  any  one  after  under- 
standing the  general  principle. 

While  these  mouldboards  have  been  under  trial,  & 
K essays  have  been  making  of  greater  or  less  projections 
for  the  upper  right  edge  of  the  block,  & of  different 
heights  in  proportion  to  the  depth  of  the  furrow,  I 
j have  continued  to  make  them  of  wood,  but  now  satis- 
fied  by  a sufficient  experience  that  for  a furrow  of  9, 
by  6.  I.  the  dimensions  I have  stated  are  the  best,  I propose  to  have  the 
mouldboard  made  of  cast  iron. 

I am  sensible  that  this  description  may  be  thought  too  lengthy  and 
elaborate  for  a subject  which  has  hardly  been  deemed  worthy  the  ap- 
plication of  science,  but  if  the  plough  be  in  truth  the  most  useful  of  the 
instruments  known  to  man,  it’s  perfection  cannot  be  an  idle  speculation, 
and,  in  any  case  whatever,  the  combination  of  a theory  which  may  satisfy 
the  learned,  with  a practice  intelligible  to  the  most  unlettered  laborer, 
will  be  acceptable  to  the  two  most  useful  classes  of  society. 


Fra.  7 


AppeIjdix  VI 


654 

Be  this  as  it  may,  from  the  widow  her  mite  only  was  expected.  I 
have  contributed  according  to  my  poverty;  others  wUl  from  their  abun- 
dance.— None  so  much  as  yourself,  who  have  been  the  animating  prin- 
ciple of  the  institution  from  its  first  germ.  When  I contemplate  the  ex- 
tensive good  which  the  proceedinp  under  your  direction  are  calculated 
to  produce,  I cannot  but  deplore  every  possibility  of  their  interruption. 
. . . (Original  letter  in  the  Jefferson  Papers,  M.  H.  S. ; also  printed  in 
Trans.  Am.  Phiios.  Soc,  4:  313-330,  1799.) 

A Supplementary  note  on  the  mould  board  described  in  a letter  to  Sir 
John  Sinclair,  of  March  23,  1798,  inserted  in  the  American  Philosophi- 
cal transactions,  vol.  4,  and  in  Maese’s  [=  Mease’s]  Domestic  Encyclo- 
paedia voce  Plough.* 

The  chief  object  in  that  description  was  to  establish  the  true  principle 
on  which  the  mould  board  of  a plough  should  be  constructed,  and  to 
point  out  a mechanical  method  of  making  it’s  curved  surfaces.  The 
mould  board  there  described,  by  way  of  example,  was  made  with  a 
square  toe,  to  receive  the  sod  at  the  hinder  edge  of  the  fin  of  the  plough- 
share; but  neither  the  principle  nor  the  method  is  restrained  to  that 
single  form.  If  it  be  desired  for  instance  to  give  to  the  mould  board  a 
pointed  toe,  adapted  to  the  fine  of  the  plough-share,  which  may  begin  to 
raise  the  sod  from  the  point,  a small  variation  in  the  process  effects  it, 
and  the  principle  of  the  curved  surface  is  still  the  same.  Having  formed 
your  block  of  the  length,  breadth,  and  height  suited  to  the  nature  of 
* your  soil,  to  the  breadth  and  depth  of  your  furrow,  hav- 

ing scribed  it,  and  taken  out  the  pyramidal  block  as  di- 
rected, lay  it  bottom  upwards  and  draw  a line  a.  b.  across 
it,  distant  from  the  fore  end  about  once  and  a half  the 
breadth  of  the  bottom;  then  draw  the  diagonal  a.  f.  c.  and 
if  you  wish  to  make  the  toe  with  the  cutting  edge  oblique 
and  straight,  chip  off  the  corner  d,  to  the  diagonal  line 
a.  f.  c.  or  if  you  wish  to  make  the  cutting  edge  curved  as 
that  of  the  fin  generally  is,  lay  off  the  curvature  you  de- 
sire from  f.  to  e.  and  either  mark  the  curve  by  the  eye,  or 
with  a pair  of  compasses,  and  chip  off  the  corner  d.  to  the 
curved  line  a.  e.  c.  then  saw  in  on  your  scribes  and  finish 
as  directed,  in  the  letter.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  ob- 
serve that  the  block  being  here  represented  bottom  up- 
wards, the  cutting  edge  of  the  mould  board  appears  on  the  left,  though 
it  will  really  be  on  the  right  side  when  turned  up. 

Th:  Jefferson. 

•This  “supplementaiy  note”  is  from  some  printed  but  unidentified  source.— Ed. 


APPENDIX  VII 


Books  and  Pamphiets  on 
Agriculture,  Gardening,  and  Botany  in  the 
Library  of  Thomas  Jefferson 

The  following  list  of  books  and  pamphlets  in  Jefferson’s  library  was 

taken  from  the  Catalogue  of  the  Library  of  Gongrets,  December,  1830; 

Catalogue,  President  Jefferson's  Library,  to  be  sold  at  auction,  at  the 

Long  Room,  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  Washington  City,  by  Nathaniel  P. 

Poor,  February,  1829;  miscellaneous  letters;  and  Jefferson’s  manuscript 

of  his  library,  1783  (original  in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society; 

photostatic  copy  at  the  University  of  Virginia  Library), 

Abbrcrombie,  John.  1786.  The  gardener’s  pocket  dictionary,  3 v. 
London. 

A»lum,  John.  1823.  A memoir  on  the  cultivation  of  the  vine  in 
America,  and  the  best  mode  of  making  wine.  Washington. 

Address  and  rules  of  the  South  Carolina  Society  for  promoting  and  im- 
proving Agriculture  and  other  Rural  Concerns.  1785.  Charles- 
ton. 

Acricola,  G.  a.  1726.  A philosophical  treatise  of  husbandry  and 
gardening,  tr.  from  the  German,  with  remarks  and  an  appendix, 
by  R.  Bradley.  London. 

Auber,  M.  Jovrnu.  1804.  Memoir  sur  I’amSiioration  des  races  de 
b&tes  a laine  dans  le  Department  de  la  Gironde.  Bordeaux. 

Baird,  Thomas.  1793.  General  views  of  agriculture  in  the  county 
of  Middlesex.  Board  of  Agriculture,  London. 

Bakswell,  Robert.  1808.  Observations  on  the  influence  of  soil  and 
climate  upon  wool.  London. 

Barton,  Benjamin  Smith.  1803.  Elements  of  Botany.  Philadel- 
phia. 

Basso,  Casiano.  1781.  Geoponica,  4 v.  in  2.  Lipsiae. 

Beaumont,  Sir  Harry  (Joseph  Spence).  1761.  A particular  ac- 
count of  the  Emperor  of  China’s  gardens  near  Pekin,  translated 
from  the  French  of  Frere  Attiret,  in  Dodslcy’s  Fugitive  Pieces, 
Vol.  I.  London. 

Belsches,  R.  1796.  General  view  of  the  agriculture  of  the  county 
of  Stirling.  Board  of  Agriculture,  London. 

Bidet,  Nicolas.  1759.  Traite  sur  la  nature  et  sur  la  culture  de  la 
vigne;  revue  par  M.  du  Hamel  du  Monceau,  2 v.  Paris. 

Billinoslby,  John.  1794.  General  views  of  agriculture  in  the 
county  of  Somerset.  Board  of  Agriculture,  London. 

Binns,  John  A,  1803.  Treatise  on  practical  farming.  Frederick- 
town, 

655 


Appenoix  VII 


656 

Boerhaave,  H.  173*.  Historia  plantarum.  Londini. 

Bonneterih,  Saboureux  de  la.  1783.  Traduction  d’anciens  ouv- 
rages  latins  relatifs  k Tagriculture,  et  a la  medicine  veterinaire, 
avec  des  notes,  6 v.  Paris. 

Bordley,  J.  B.  1796.  Sketches  on  rotations  of  crops  and  other  rur.il 
matters.  Philadelphia. 

1799.  Essays  and  notes  on  husbandry  and  rural  afEairs. 

Philadelphia. 

1799.  Hemp.  Philadelphia. 

1800.  Husbandry  dependant  on  live  stock.  Philadelphia. 

Boswell,  George.  1792.  A treatise  on  watering  meadows.  London. 

Bradley,  Richard.  1724.  A general  treatise  of  husbandry  and  gar- 
dening, 3 V.  London. 

1726.  New  improvements  of  planting  and  gardening.  Lon- 

don. 

1728.  Dictionarium  botanicum;  or,  a botanical  dictionary  for 

the  use  of  the  curious  in  husbandry  and  gardening.  London. 

1733-  Ten  practical  discourses  concerning  the  four  elements, 
as  they  relate  to  the  growth  of  plants.  London. 

Broussb,  M.  de  la.  1724.  Traitd  de  la  culture  du  hguier.  Amster- 
dam, 

Brown,  Robert,  18  ii.  A treatise  on  agriculture  and  rural  affairs. 
Edinburgh. 

Cadet  de  Vaux,  A.  A.  [1800].  Instruction  sur  Part  de  faire  Ic  vin. 
Paris, 

Carey,  Matthew.  1820.  The  new  olive  branch:  or  an  attempt  to 
establish  an  identity  of  interest  between  agriculture,  manufac- 
ture, and  commerce.  Philadelphia. 

Cato,  Varro,  Columella,  et  Palladius,  1593.  De  re  rustics. 
Heidelberg. 

Catalogue  of  the  Botanic  Garden  at  Liverpool.  1808.  Liverpool. 

Catalogue  of  the  plants  of  New  York,  [n,  d.] 

Chambers,  William.  1763,  Plans,  elevations,  sections,  and  per- 
spective views  of  the  gardens  and  buildings  at  Kew.  London. 

— ' — 1773.  A dissertation  on  oriental  gardening.  London. 

Chaptal,  Rosier,  Parmentier,  et  Dussieux.  i8oi.  Traite  sur  la 
culture  de  la  vigne,  2 v.  Paris. 

CoiNTERAUX,  — ^ . 1803.  Nouveau  trait6  d'economie  rurale.  Paris. 

Country  Habitations,  [n.  d.]  On  the  culture  of  Lucerne.  Richmond. 

Crowninshield, MS,  1807.  Hortus  Siccus. 

CusTis,  G.  W.  P.  1808.  Address  to  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
on  the  importance  of  encouraging  agriculture  and  domestic 
manufactures.  Alexandria, 

Darwin,  Erasmus.  1798.  The  botanic  garden.  New  York. 

Daubenton,  Louis  Jean  Marie.  1810.  Advice  to  shepherds  and 
owners  of  flocb,  on  the  care  and  management  of  sheep ; tr.  from 
the  original  French,  Boston, 


Appendix  VII 


657 

Description  of  Stowe.  [i797"]  A description  of  the  house  and  gar- 
dens of  the  most  notable  and  puissant  prince,  George-Grenville- 
Nugent-Temple,  Marquis  of  Buckingham,  London. 

Dickson,  Adam.  1788.  Husbandry  of  the  ancients,  2 v.  Edinburgh. 

Dioscoride.  1573.  Traduzione  e discorsi  di  Matthioli.  Venice. 

Dioscorides.  1549.  (Gr.  et  Lat.)  Paris. 

Donaldson,  James.  i794'  General  views  of  the  agriculture  in  the 
county  of  Northampton.  Board  of  Agriculture,  London. 

Douette-Richardot,  Nicholas.  1806.  Pratique  de  I’agriculture. 
Paris. 

Duhamel  DU  Monchau,  H.  L.  1754.  Traite  de  la  conservation  des 
grains.  Paris. 

1759-  A practical  treatise  of  husbandry.  London. 

Duhamel  du  Monceau  et  Tillet.  1762.  Histoire  d’un  insecte 
qui  devore  les  grains  de  I’angoumois.  Paris. 

Dumeril,  Andre  Marie  Constant,  1807.  Traite  elementaire  d’his- 
toire  naturelle,  2 v.  Paris. 

Dumont-Courset.  1802.  Le  botaniste-cultivateur,  4 v.  Paris. 

Erskine,  J.  F.  1795.  General  view  of  the  agriculture  of  the  county 
Clackmannan,  etc.  Board  of  Agriculture,  London. 

Evelyn,  John.  1664.  Sylva,  pomona,  and  kalendarium  hortense. 
London. 

1787.  Terra ; with  notes!,  by  A.  Hunter.  New  York. 

Fabbroni,  a.  1783.  Disserlazione  sopra  il  quesito  indicate  le  verc 
teorie  con  le  quali  devono  eseguirsi  le  stime  dei  terreni,  stabilite 
le  quali  abbiano  i pratici  stimatori  delle  vcre  guide,  che  gli 
conducono  a dcterminarne  il  valore.  Firenze. 

178b.  Istruzione  elemcntari  di  agricoltura,  Perugia. 

Fillassier,  M.  1783.  Culture  de  la  grosse  asperge,  dite  de  Hollande, 
Amsterdam. 

Fordyce,  George.  1771.  Elements  of  agriculture  and  vegetation. 
London. 

Forsyth,  William.  1802.  A treatise  on  the  culture  and  manage- 
ment of  fruit-trees.  Philadelphia. 

Francois  (de  Neufchateau),  Citoyen.  1801.  Rapport  sur  le 
perfectionnement  des  charrucs.  Paris. 

Francois  (de  Neufchateau),  N.  1806.  Voyages  agronomiques 
dans  la  Senatorerie  de  Dijon.  Paris. 

Gardiner,  John,  and  David  Hepburn,  i8i8.  The  American  gar- 
dener. Georgetown. 

Gentil,  Franqois.  1723.  Le  jardinier  solitaire.  Paris. 

Ginanni,  Francesco.  1739,  Delle  malattie  del  grano  in  erba, 
Pesaro. 

Gouan,  M.  1787,  Explication  du  systeme  botantque  du  Chevalier 
von  Linne.  Montpellier. 

Gronovius,  Joh.  Fred.  1762.  Flora  Virginica.  Leiden. 

Hale,  Thomas.  1758-39.  A coropleat  body  of  husbandry,  4 v. 
London. 


Appendix  VII 


6^8 

Hales,  Stephen.  1738.  Statical  essays,  a v.  London. 

Heelv,  Joseph.  1777.  Letters  on  the  beauties  of  Hagley,  Envil,  and 
Leasowes.  With  critical  remarks:  and  observations  on  the  mod- 
ern taste  in  gardening.  London. 

Hepburn,  George  Buchan,  1794.  General  view  of  the  agriculture 
and  rural  economy  of  East  Lothian.  Board  of  Agriculture, 
London. 

Hill,  John.  1738.  The  gardener’s  new  kalendar;  divided  accord- 
ing to  the  twelve  months  of  the  year — containing  the  whole  prac- 
tice of  gardening.  London. 

Hillhousb,  Augustus  Lucas.  1820.  An  essay  on  the  history  and 
cultivataion  of  the  European  olive-tree.  Paris. 

Hirzel,  Hans  Kaspar.  1800.  The  rural  Socrates.  Hallowell  (Dis- 
trict of  Maine). 

Home,  Francis.  1762.  The  principles  of  agriculture  and  vegetation. 
London. 

Home,  Henrv.  1779.  The  gentleman  farmer.  Edinburgh. 

Huzard,  J,  B.  i8oa.  Instruction  sur  I’amelioration  des  chevaux  en 
France.  Paris. 

Jacob,  Giles.  1717.  The  country  gentleman’s  vade  mecum.  Lon- 
don. 

James,  John.  [171a].  The  theory  and  practice  of  gardening,  from 
the  French  of  J,  B.  Alexandre  le  Blond.  [Paris.] 

JUTAis,  F.  DE  LA.  1805.  L’abondance,  ou  la  viritable  pierre  philo- 
sophale.  Philadelphia. 

Kennedy  and  Lee.  1784.  Catalogue  of  plants  and  seeds,  sold  at  the 
Vineyard,  Hammersmith.  London. 

Kirwan,  R.  1796.  The’  manures  most  advantageously  applicable  to 
the  various  sorts  of  soils.  London. 

Knight,  Thomas  Andrew.  1802.  A treatise  on  the  culture  of  the 
apple  & pear,  and  on  the  manufacture  of  cider  & perry.  Ludlow. 

Langley,  Batty,  1729.  Pomona:  or  the  fruit  garden  illustrated. 
London. 

Lasteyrie,  C.  P.  de.  1799.  Traiti  sur  les  betes-a>laine  d’Espagne. 
Paris. 

1808.  Du  cotonnier  et  de  sa  culture.  Paris. 

Lastri,  Marco  Antonio.  1801.  Corso  di  agricoltura,  5 v. 

Firenze. 

L’economie  rurale,  6 v.  [n.  d.] 

Lettres  du  Lord  Somerville,  du  Due  de  Bedford,  de  M.  Arthur  Young, 
au  C.  Frangois  (de  Heufehateau)  sur  la  charrue.  1803.  Parfe. 

Linnaeus,  Carolus  (or  Carolus  a LinniS).  1737.  Critica  bo- 
tanica.  Lugduni-Batavorum. 

1737.  Flora  lapponica.  Amstelaedami. 

1756.  Systema  naturae.  Lugduni-Batavorum. 

— 1762.  Spreies  plantarum,  2 v.  Holmiae. 

' - ' 1763-  Philosophia  botanica.  Viennae  Austriae. 

■ 1764.  Genera  plantarum,  ed.  6.  Holmiae. 


Appendix  VII 


659 


1782.  A system  of  vegetables.  Litchfield. 

1786-1787.  Fundamenta  botanica,  edente  Gilibert,  3 v. 

Coloniae-Allobrogum. 

Livingston,  Robert.  1809.  Essay  on  sheep.  New  York. 

Logan,  George.  1797.  Agricultural  experiments  on  gypsum;  and 
experiments  to  ascertain  the  best  rotation  of  crops.  Philadelphia. 

1800.  On  the  necessity  of  promoting  agriculture,  manufac- 
tures, and  the  useful  arts.  Philadelphia, 

McMahon,  Bernard.  1806.  The  American  gardener’s  calendar. 
Philadelphia. 

Main,  Thomas.  1807.  Directions  for  the  transplantation,  etc,,  of 
young  thorn  or  other  hedge  plants.  Washington. 

Mallet, . i795-  Le  parfait  jardinier.  Paris. 

Marshall,  Humphry.  1783.  Arbustrum  Americanum:  the  Ameri- 
can grove.  Philadelphia. 

Martyn,  T,  1785.  Rousseau’s  botany.  London. 

Maupin,  M.  1779.  L’art  de  fairc  le  vin.  Paris. 

1782.  Nouvelle  methode  pour  cultiver  la  vigne.  Paris, 

Mawe,  Thomas.  1794<  Every  man  his  own  gardener.  London. 

Mddailles  d’cncouragement  donnees  par  la  Societe  d’Agricultuie  du 
Departement  de  la  Seine.  1803.  Paris. 

Memoires  de  la  Societe  d’Agriculture  du  Departement  de  la  Seine,  ii  v. 
1801-1808.  Paris, 

Mdmoires  de  la  Socidtd  Royale  et  Centrale  d’Agriculture.  1815-1816, 

Memoirs  ot  the  Philadelphia  Society  for  Promoting  Agriculture,  vols. 
1-2.  1808-1811.  Philadelphia. 

Michaux,  Andr£.  iSoi.  Histoire  des  chines  de  I'Amerique.  Paris, 

1803,  Flora  Boreali-Americana,  2 v.  Paris. 

Michaux,  F,  A,  1803.  M^moire  sur  la  naturalisation  des  arbres 
forestiers  de  I'Amerique  septcntrionale.  Paris. 

i8n.  Histoire  des  arbres  forestiers  de  I’Amerique  septen- 

trionale.  Paris. 

1819.  The  North  American  sylva,  3 v.  in  2.  Paris. 

Miller,  Philip,  1765.  The  gardener’s  calendar.  London. 

1768,  The  gardener’s  dictionary.  London. 

1785.  Dictionnaire  des  jardiniers;  tr.  de  I’Anglois,  par  M. 

de  Chazelles,  avec  notes,  etc.,  par  M.  Hollandre,  S v.  Paris. 

Mills,  John.  1762.  Practical  treatise  of  husbandry.  London. 

iTJO,  Natural  and  chemical  elements  of  agriculture.  Lon- 

don. 

Moore,  Thomas.  i8oi.  The  great  error  of  American  agriculture 
exposed.  Baltimore. 

Mortimer,  John.  1721.  The  whole  art  of  husbandry,  2 v.  London. 

Muhlenberg,  H.  1813.  Catalogus  plantarum  Americae  septen- 
trionalis.  Lancaster. 

Naismyth,  John.  1795.  Tour  through  the  sheep  pastures  in  the 
soudiern  parts  of  Scotland.  Board  of  Agriculture,  London. 

Nomenclator  botanicus  (Lat.  Gal.  Ang.  Germ.  Suec.  et  Dan.).  1769, 
Copenhagen. 


66o 


Appendix  VII 


Notice  sur  I’agriculture  des  Celtes  et  des  Gaulok  1 806.  Paris. 

Outlines  of  a plan  for  establishing  a state  society  of  agriculture  in  Pcnn> 
sylvania.  1794.  Philadelphia. 

Owen,  T.  1805.  Geoponica,  2 v.  in  i.  London. 

Palluel,  Crktte.  1802.  Memoire  sur  I’utilit^  qu’on  peut  tirer  des 
marais  desseches,  en  general,  et  particuli^rement  de  ceux  du 
Laonois.  Paris. 

Papers  on  agriculture,  published  by  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  Pro- 
moting Agriculture.  1803-1804.  Boston. 

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Appendix  VII 


66l 


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66a  Appekdix  VII 

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INDEX 


Abbema  (c  Co.,  *47 
^Het  alba,  479 
Aboville,  Chevalier  d’,  530 
Acacia,  Egyptian,  77,  86 
Acacia,  89,  176,  178,  380-381,  403,  415- 
4*«(  434i  SI9!  famesiana,  83,  175, 
»7»i  399.  4»a.  4*9,  4341  ailattca, 

387,  434.  5*41  trtaeantos,  146 
Acer  negundo,  no;  peantylvanieum, 
no,  116;  rubrum,  no,  146,  150,  646; 
saccharinum,  645;  iartancum,  423, 
430 

Acnida  eannabma,  647 
Acorns,  ij6,  a8o,  339,  348,  503, 633-^34 
Aclaea  racemosa.  645 
Adams,  Abigail  (Smith),  Jefferson’s 
friendship  with,  501 
Adams,  John,  103,  105,  no,  269,  447, 
476;  tetters  from  Jefferson,  123,  479, 
501-502;  letter  to  Jefferson,  573 
Adams,  Thomas,  61 
Adlum,  Major  John,  433,  439,  557;  let- 
ters from  Jefferson,  415,  436,  554, 
604!  letter  to  Jefferson,  4^3 
Adriatic  Sea,  134 

Aesculiu  alba,  361 ; hippoeauanum,  31, 
453;  hfbrida,  adr;  pavia,  ait,  646; 
vtrgintea,  air 

Africa,  t_i3,_  165-166,  380-381,  505,  615 
Agave  virginUa,  646 
Agricultural  implements,  186,  188-189, 
191,  303,  ai8,  3*9,  333-*34)  *4*-*43, 
346-447,  350,  35*,  358,  371-373,  348, 
363,  37*.  374-37fi.  430.  459-4^0,  s*8, 
540.  545.  Sdr,  369,  641  i French,  435 
Agricultural  inventions,  340,  363-364, 

mi8,  649-654 

tural  societies,  106-107, 
r<3.  *77.  *<4.  386-387,  40*.  4t»-4t3. 
461,  640-643;  English,  317;  French, 
*79.  3*5.  33* 

Agricultural  Society  of  Albemarle 
County,  615,  631 

Agricultural  Society,  Belfast,  451,  46a 
Agricultural  Society  of  Charleston,  rice 
sent  to,  381 

Agricultural  Society,  New  York,  233 
Agricultural  Society  of  Paris,  361,  363, 
370,  37*.  37^.  407-408 
Agricultural  Society  of  the  Seine,  374, 
376.  435 

Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina, 
598,  605 


Agriculture,  133,  143,  155,  191-192, 
333-334,  341-345,  356,  389-390,  351, 
370.  37s,  437-438,  450-451,  463,  S05, 
509-511,  560-561,  567,  570-573,  640- 
643 ; European,  lao,  376 ; in  Ireland, 
451-453;  libraries  on,  567;  publica- 
tions on,  196,  318,  871,  a86,  301,  413, 
440,  5*fi.  544,  55S,  570,  57*.  655-663 
Agriculture,  (London)  Board  of,  317, 
40S 

Agriculturists,  584;  Virginia,  585; 
Welsh,  585 

Agronomic  Society  of  Bavaria,  5^6 
Agrostit  captllarit,  314;  paluslrts,  479, 
503;  stolauifera,  451,  493 
Alabama,  603 
Albany,  N.  Y.,  157 

Albemarle  County,  Va.,  8,  33,  35,  43, 
57.  fi5,  81,  87-88,  159-160,  174,  316, 

Altemarle  County  Agricultural  Soci- 
ety,  615,  631,  6^0-643 
Albmia  julibrUm,  396 
Alder,  33,  ay 

Alexander,  Donald,  306-307 
Alexander,  Eli,  206 
Alexandria,  Va.,  a88,  300 
Algiers,  446 
Allan,  Mr.,  581 
Allen,  Mr.,  358 
Allison,  Dr.,  546 

Allium  atcalotticam,  313,  477 ; cepa,  8, 
81;  cepa  var.  viviparum,  399,  448; 
porrum,  313 ; sativum,  58,  313,  477 ; 
schoenoprasam,  477 
Almeda,  Capt.,  404 
Almond,  4,  15,  39.  47.  5®,  58,  61,  76, 
94,  119,  **7.  **9.  *09.  **«.  335,  4*o, 
438,  468,  534,  637,  648;  bitter,  50, 
75.  4*3.  475!  double-blossomed,  308- 
309;  sweet,  io,  61,  431,  475;  Vir- 
ginian, 47 
Ainus  rugosa,  30 
Aloe,  139;  American,  646 
Alps,  133)  1*8 
Alston,  Willis,  460 

* Althaea,  5,  *3,  *7,  *08-209,  494,  556, 
563;  efficinalit,  314;  rosea,  9,  99 
Amanda  (ship),  491 
Amaranth,  635;  globe,  4 
Amaranthtts  hybridus  var.  hypochon- 
dfiacus,  8 

Amaryllis,  35*.  373,  455 


667 


668 


Ikdex 


/imaryllis,  381;  atamasco,  481;  hella- 
dona,  481,  491;  iormosissima,  335, 

346 

Amelia  County,  Va.,  37 
American  Farmer,  editor  of,  _6« 
American  Philosophical  Society,  136, 
163,  17a,  173,  440,  aS4>  *fi4i  aSi-aSa, 
286-287,  3*3.  331-33*.  S»fi;  letter 
from  Jefferson,  332 
Amherst  County,  Va.,  i6o,  248,  322 
Amorpha,  flowering,  23,  27 
Amorpha  fruiieosa,  30 
Amptkill,  Chesterfield  County,  Va.,  59 
Amsterdam,  133,  137 
Anatomy,  349 
Anderson,  Mr.,  34,  38 
Andrews,  Rev.  Robert,  80 
Andromeda  arhorea,  109,  ii6,_  139- 
140;  plumata,  239-140 ; po/t/oftHi  146 
Anemone,  35a,  455;  double,  335.  453. 

480.  635  , 

Anemone,  24,  27,  94,  337;  pulsattlla. 


3*.  ?9.  445,  449. 

Angehca  tylveeiru,  .645 
Anguilla  bosteniensii,  384 
Animalculae,  of  hot  springs,  301 
Animal  husbandry,  437-43*.  49*.  507- 
508;  books  on,  316,  655-662 
Animals,  depredations  of,  220;  wild, 
refnge  for,  27 

Annapolis,  Md.,  3, 101,  103,  638 
Anne,  Queen  of  England,  30,  399. 
Annona,  no;  glabra,  139-140;  triloba, 
646 

Anteaters,  530  _ 

Anthemii  nobilis,  213 
Antholyta  aetbiopica,  489 
Anthoxanthnm  odoraium,  379,  429 
Antiquarian  Society  of  Charleston,  516 
Antirrhinum  majut,  9 
Apennines,  Italy,  124,  128,  134 
Apium  gravealent  var,  dulce,  8,  60 
Apple,  30,  66,  76,  100,  13s,  144,  26s, 
2X2,  306,  3 JO,  375.  4*0,  434.  453.  54*. 
6x8,  648;  balsam,  423;  calvite,  295, 
431,  468;  cider,  536;  Clark’s  pear- 
niain,  247;  codling  (codlin),  83,  209, 
315,  42a;  common,  533;  crab,  79,  84, 
*04,  261,  334,  475,  533.  <**,  «4S! 
Detroit,  314,  454;  early  harvest,  t68; 
egg  plumb,  293;  Esopus  Spitaen- 
burgh,  t68;  golden  wilding,  43,  73, 
*2,  94,  247!  Hughes’  crab,  293,  533.: 
Hughes’  red,  247,  368,  374;  iron 
wilding,  ,^2;  mammoth,  408;  med- 
lar russetin,  32,  43,  75,  8a;  New- 
town pippin,  40,  43-44,  75,  **.  94, 
421;  New  York,  13;  oxeye  striped, 
295;  pippin,  468,  473,  524;  pumgray, 
395;  red,  294,  422;  redtown  pippin. 


206;  Robinson  (Robertson),  73,  82, 
268,  333;  russetin,  94;  Spitzenburgh, 

**7.  353,  355,  420-4**,  454,  4«*,  475, 
324;  Sunbriar,  40S;  Taliaferro,  421- 
42a,  468,  473,  5*4,  533,  556,  6**1 
white,  73,  82,  294 

Appleton,  Thomas,  371,  391,  392;  let- 
ter from  Jefferson,  318;  letters  to 
Jefferson,  309,  362,  568,  391,  6x3 
Appomattox  River,  Va.,  37,  240 
Apprentices,  slave,  466 
Apricot,  15,  20,  22,  47,  50,  5*.  6*.  75, 
94,  1x9,  149,  162,  163,  167,  265,  333, 
383,  420,  435,  468,  648;  angelic,  319; 
Bordeaux,  334,  420;  Brussels,  168; 
early,  168;  melon,  130;  Moore  Park, 
168,  341 ; peach  (apricot-peche),  119, 
*48.  3*9.  344-345,  353-354,  409,  4*0- 
421,  633;  Roman  (Moore  Park),  x68 
Aquilepia  canadensis,  162 
Araehis,  648;  hypogaea,  213,  ai6,  303- 
306,  339 

Arator  (book),  544 
Arbor-vitae,  261,  406,  635,  647 
Arbutus  unedo,  83 
Arches,  Corinthian,  113 
Archipelago,  134 
Architects,  398 

Arehitecture,  103,  xxi-114,  233,  303, 
4x6,  488-489,  304,  611 ; English,  212 
Archives  of  Useful  Knowledge,  490 
Argali,  American,  331 
Argemone,  6‘,  grandifiora,  to 
Aristolochia  serpentaria,  645 
Aristotle,  330 
Arkansas,  335,  543 
Armoracta  rusiicana,  38,  213 
Armstrong,  Gen.  John,  292-293.  35*: 

letter  to  Jefferson,  294 
Arno  River,  Italy,  379 
Arnoud,  I’Abbf,  232 
Arsmatt,  644 

Artemisia  abrotanum,  214;  absinthium, 
224;  dracuncidus,  328,  399 
Artichoke,  6,  10,  2X,  24,  194-195,  ao8, 
»*3,  306,  349.  373.  3**,  447.  469,  473- 
474,  497^99,  S03.  537,  543.  S<*.  6*3, 
6*7,  639:  globe,  334,  337,  340;  green, 
361;  Jerusalem,  208,  360,  362,  400, 
.,550,.  565,  570,  607,  642,  643;  red,  362 
Arundo  phragmttis,  647 
Asdepiat,  379 
Ascyrum  multieaule,  303 
Ash,  475-^476,  479,  634,  647;  European, 
49*;  mountain,  334,  342;  prickly, 
34*.  353,  355,  363  i white,  280 
Ashlin,  Mr.,  487,  493 ; letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 483 
Asia,  *25,  *35,  602 
Asia  Minor,  367 


Index 


669 


Asparagus,  4,  5,  9,  ai-a*,  *4,  jOi  *8S. 
aio,  2*3,  asSi  i«Si  2671  30*1  1«9,  3*3. 
3*5-3»<.  3*8.  39>.  42S-42«.  43S,  437. 
445.  4*5.  4*9.  473-474.  493.  495.  497“ 
500,  S37.  543.  S5«.  55*.  579.  59*.  **7. 
£36.  £39;  Cooper’s  pale  green,  334, 
341,  3£i;  East  India,  391 
Asparagut  officinalis,  7 
Aspen,  a£,  79.  *4.  *37->S*.  a9«-»93. 
334.  357-35*.  3*».  454.  4£S.  47*.  494. 
585.  £35.  £4£i  Monticello,  3£5,  494, 

.55« 

Aster,  303 

Astragalus  tragaeantha,  145 
Astronomy,  aSa,  445,  £25 
Atriplex  horieasis,  504 
Audinot’s  Garden,  France,  tip 
Augers,  454 

Augusta  County,  Va.,  £x,  loa,  239 
Auricula,  4,  117,  337,  340,  4o£,  433. 

455.  4*0.  4*».  49a.  504 
Aurora  borealis,  94,  98 
Avena  sativa,  478 
Aaalea,  158,  t£s 

Azalea,  i4£i  nudifiora,  no,  ii£,  i£fi, 
£4£;  viscosa,  xi£,  tfi£ 

Aaedaracb,  553,  £oa 

Baehe,  Dr.  WilUam,  asd 
Bacon,  Edmund,  44,  31a,  313,  329,  338, 
3S4^3£o,  3£3-3£4.  3**.  *£9.  373.  409. 
430.  4*4.  539.  S«a,  577.  Sot.  £05,  £ta, 
£35-fi3£;  letters  from  Jefferson,  318, 
3**-3a7.  3*9.  33*.  339.  34»-343.  347. 
34*.  3«*-3«4.  3££.  3*7.  37*.  37*.  379. 
3*a.  3*3.  4^.  574 
Bacon,  Mrs.  Edmond,  468 
Bacon  (meat),  29 

Bailey,  Robert,  224,  475,  478;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  279,  aSo,  287,  297 
Bailey,  Mrs.  Robert,  309 
Bailey's  alley,  332,  446 
Bailey’s  walk,  38£,  397,  424,  471 
Baker,  Mr.,  554 
Bakers,  Negro,  518 
Baldwin,  Abraham,  381 
Balm,  aoS 

Balm  of  Gilead,  261 

Balsam,  £35;  double,  4;  of  Peru,  x£9 

Balsam  apple.  423 

Baltimore,  Md.,  tot,  177,  287,  305,  339. 
404.  407 

Balyal’s,  632 
Bananas  (island),  i£3 
Banister,  John,  Jr.,  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 121,  139 
Banister,  John,  Sr^  137 
Bank  of  United  States,  358,  384 
Bankhead,  Anne  (Bandolph),  294,  327, 
33*.  3^*.  354.  359.  378,  598, 403,  551. 


399,  £01,  63d-,  letters  from  Jefferson, 

349.  3£3.  3£*.  3**.  4**.  447! 

to  Jefferson,  352,  353,  357,  369,  380, 

3*2 

Bankhead,  Charles  L.,  533 ; letters 
from  Jefferson,  403,  438 
Bankhead,  Dr.  John,  403,  447 
Bankhead,  Mrs.  Mary  Warner  Lewis, 


4*9 

Bank  notes,  203,  344 
Banka,  414 

Banks,  Sir  Joseph,  133 
Bantams,  294 
Barbarea  vulgaris,  213 
Barberry,  23,  27,  6/^6 
Barbour,  James,  483,  £08,  £21;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  483,  353;  letters  to 
Jefferson,  483,  333,  $69 
Barbour,  Lucy  (Johnson),  5s£ 
Barboursville,  Va.,  £08 
Barley,  194-195, 198,  202,  228,  28£,  490, 
£41,  £47;  naked,  433,  474;  Persian, 
43£;  Siberian,  2fi2 

Barlow,  Joel,  letters  from  Jefferson, 
397.  432;  letter  to  Jefferson,  438 
Barnes,  John  S.,  290,  318 1 letters  from 
Jefferson,  304,  431,  511,  £14 
Barns,  242 
Barracks.  S7-88,  449 
Barry,  Richard,  298 
Barter,  244 

Barton,  Dr.  Benjamin  Smith,  172-173, 
35*.  399.  400,  418 1 letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 282,  301,  309,  440,  541;  let- 
ters to  Jefferson,  303,  309 
Bertram,  (John,  Jr.,  or  William?), 
x88,  248,  381 

Bartram,  John,  Jr.,  ixo,  ii£,  i2x,  170; 
letters  from  Jefferson,  X09,  275,  279, 
280 

Bartram,  William,  135,  309;  letter 
from  Jefferson,  380;  letter,  to  Jeffer- 
son, 379 

Bartram’s  gardens,  188 
Basil,  sweet,  592 
Bass,  *57,  503 
Bassett,  Mr.,  187 
Batatas,  too 
Bateaux,  442 

Bathing  room,  at  Monticello,  £31 
Bats,  574 

Bay,  dwarf-rose,  £48;  Portugal,  £48; 
red,  £48;  summer,  140;  sweet,  428 


Bayonne,  France,  49X 
Bean,  48,  30-51,  £0,  £x,  2x3,  ***.  5**. 
583,  613,  £39,  £4* » Alexandrian,  589 ; 
Alleghany,  208;  arbor,  474.  47*  i 
asparagus,  3*5.  39*.  443.  454.  47* ! 
Bess,  498,  500;  caracalla,  185,  178 ; 
Carolina  white,  224;  early  sesban, 


Index 


224;  English,  59,  62;  flowering  161, 
596;  forward,  373;  French  kidney, 
$3^1  S^Si  Friholio  (frijole], 
514;  golden  dwarf,  224;  green,  4I, 
St,  61;  haricot,  424,  442,  469,  471- 
473»  493i  49Si  494|  498-S<».  SoS.  S3«i 
550,  556,  564,  576,  583,  589>  593.  594. 
599,  606,  607,  610;  Holland  dwarf, 
<34;  hominy,  473,  498-4991  horse, 
208,  221 ; Italian,  83,  589;  Julien, 
£34;  kidney,  583;  lima,  71,  208,  212, 
339.  389,  4*7.  44*.  47*.  473,  495,  498, 
500,  506,  5*3,  S3fi,  550-55*.  564,  583. 
589,  599,  606-607,  ^*0;  little,  634; 
marsh,  634;  Mazagan,  21a;  mazs' 
reen,  208;  Mazzei,  77;  purple,  52; 
red,  430,  5*4!  Rleara,  334,  389,  392, 
440:  Roman,  589;  scarlet,  334,  589, 
593-594,  599,  606-607,  610;  scarlet 
blossom,  165;  scarlet  flowering,  176; 
scarlet  runner,  4781  snap,  33,  51,  77, 

*08,  2*4,  385,  389-393.  440,  44*.  443, 
469,  470,  47*-473.  49S,  49*-M99,  506, 
5*8,  5**,  5*3,  S3<,  550,  556,  564,  565, 
576,  58*,  583,  588-589,  593-594.  599. 
606-607,  6ie;  sugar,  32,  224;  Switz- 
erland gray,  634;  Tuscan,  589; 
white,  52,  6t;  wild  goose,  583; 
Windsor,  48,  56,  59,  65,  204,  208, 
**4.  386,  388,  442,  469 
Bear  Branch,  Bedford  County,  Va.,  492 
Bear  Creek,  Bedford  County,  Va.,  467, 
49a 

Beaver,  Dr.,  H4 
Beavers,  530 
Beck,  William,  17,  ao 
Beekley,  Mr.,  ya 

Beekley,  John,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
577 

Bedding,  184 
Bedford,  Duke  of,  407 
Bedford  County,  Va.,  42,  72,  227,  234, 
238,  246,  252,  *70,  3**,  35*.  43«,  449, 
486,  508.  Set  aha  Poplar  Forest 
Beds,  flower.  See  Flower  beds 
Beech,  26,  647;  purple,  334,  342,  353, 
355 

Serf,  *4S,  5*4 
Beer,  488,  539 

Beet,  208,  276,  360,  386,  410,  443,  469, 
47*.  473,  478,  498,  499,  5**.  5>»,  S50, 
5^4,  570,  57<,  58*,  5*8,  S93,  599,  606, 
607,  610,  613,  6391  red,  54,  «4.  49«; 
scarlet,  389-391;  white,  54,  64 
Belfast  Agricultural  Society,  451,  461- 
462 

Belflield,  396 

Bell,  Col.  Thomas,  204,  219,  224 
Belladonna,  See  Bily 
Bellflower,  474 


Bellew,  Thomas,  159 

Bellini,  Carlo,  letter  from  Jefferson, 

*05 

Brllu  perennts,  31 
Bellona  (schooner),  513,  521 
Belmattt,  Albeinarle  County,  Va.,  266 
Benincasa  hispida,  400 
Benne,  359-360,  362,  368,  370-372,  386, 
397,  4**,  4*5,  4*4,  43o,  434,  44<,  45^, 
457-458,  471,  496,  5*8,  S3<.  550,  589, 
606,  607,  610 

Benne  oil,  351,  359,  361-36*,  368,  372, 
4S7;-458 

Bennington,  Vt.,  157 
Benson,  Egbert,  295;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 300,  346 
Berard,  Simon,  xaa 
Berherit  eanaiiemis,  30;  vulgaris,  30, 
646 

Berkeley,  Charles  City  County,  Va., 
22,  28 

Berkeley,  Gov.  William,  83 
Bertrand,  Mr.,  218 

Bertroux,  M.  de,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
*8* 

Bela  vulgaris,  64 ; vulgaris  macro- 
rkiaa,  478 

Bettay,  Anthony  G.,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 364 

Beiuia  alba,  647;  nigra,  647 
Biddle,  Samuel,  274,  i8a,  184,  186,  190, 
196,  202,  204-206,  21^  213,  216,  324- 
225;  letters  from  Jefferson,  182,  303 
Bigelow,  Jacob,  letter  from  Jeflierson, 
.878  , 

Bignoma  eapreolata,  3t;  eatalpa,  305, 
339,  8481  sempsrvirens,  31,  116,  146, 
646 

Bingham,  William,  109 

Binns,  John  A.,  286 

Birch,  black,  647;  paper,  157-158; 

white,  647 
Birch  bark,  166 
Bird,  Savage,  & Bird,  179 
Birds,  42,  62,  93,  95,  104,  *55,  165,  aig, 
»35-a8<.  »«,  *80,  28^  32s,  411,  530, 
579,  8*7;  Freoeh,  Jefferson  imports, 
106 

Bird  cages,  290 
Bird  songs,  151 
Blackberry,  646 
Blackbirds,  ifo 
Blackden,  Col.  Samuel,  312 
Blacksmiths,  245.  357,  466 
Black  Warrior  River,  602 
Blackwater  River,  canal,  4S9 
Bladder  senna,  475,  479 
Bladensbuig,  Md.,  303 
Blair,  John,  letter  to  Jefferson,  57 
Bland,  £li2abeth  (Randolph),  59 


Index 


671 


Bland,  Col.  Richard,  48,  51-52,  59 
Bland,  Dr.  'Theodortclc,  48,  51,  5a,  59 
Blenheim,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  35 
Blenheim,  England,  1x4 
Bligli,  Copt.  William,  151,  153 
Blockade,  289,  300,  305,  501,  5x1,  520 
Bloodroot  (puekoon),  i 
Bloodworth,  Timothy,  39^ ; letter  from 
Jefferson,  29.^ 

Bluebells,  Virginia,  a,  3 
Bluebirds,  x6x 

Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  Va.,  55,  $6,  84, 
66,  68,  86,  102,  210,  aSi,  463,  482 
Biue  wood,  433 

Blumenbach,  Johann  Friedrich,  529, 
530 

Boat(s),  467,  5XX,  687 
Boehmeria  nivea,  450 
Bolling,  Miss,  X5X 
Bolling,  Jane,  37,  X76,  363 
Bolling,  John,  22,  27-28,  637 
Bolling,  Mary  (Jefferson),  28 
Bombay,  India,  347 
Bonaparte,  Joseph,  602 
Booker,  Mr.,  258 

Books,  20,  236,  346,  394.  4»«,  53*.  <SS- 
662;  agricultural,  196,  301,  374, 380- 
38X,  4x3,  45»-4Sa.  490,  8«*..544.  SS*. 
387.  57^  641-642,  649;  botanical, 
X09,  ixs,  143.  30«.  309.  3»».  34*.  35*. 
40X,  450,  54X,  37a“S73.  fiSS-«fi»5  on 
forestry,  540;  gardening,  67,  346, 
35*.  47*.  S*«.  5»5“Jli<.  «SS-“fi«a5  ge- 
ography, 412 ; horticultural,  313 ; on 
olive  culture,  136 
Booksellers,  461 
Booth,  Mr.,  597 
Borda’s  circle,  628 

Bordeaux,  France,  X63,  277,  279,  339, 
344.  34*.  353-314.  5*0 
Borders,  3**-394!  flower,  349,  359.  3*4. 
4*9.  445.  449.  455.  474^  47*5  ■vege- 
tables in,  44a-444.  470,  495-49*.  S3* 
Boston,  Mass.,  X04,  571,  584 
Boston  Port  Bill,  57 
Botanical  classifications,  645 
Botanical  collections,  366 
Botanical  drawings,  403 
Botanical  expeditions,  281-^283,  30X, 
344.  41* 

Botanical  gardens,  60,  349,  373,  379, 
401,  450,  47*.  49*.  5*0.  57*.  59*- 
597;  New  York,  554,  559,  578;  Univ. 
of  Va.,  6x1,  620-62X 
Botanical  nomenclature,  528-53X 
Botanical  studies,  158 
Botanists,  X09,  275,  282,  4x8,  450,  461, 
son,  sax,  5a*-S33.  S7a-S73.  57*.  <*9- 
621,  645 


Botany,  115,  x62,  172,  282,  288-289, 

349.  35*.  3*0,  397.  5»S.  5*7-53*.  534. 
6x1,  619-621 
Boundary  disputes,  174 
Bowditch,  Nathaniel,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 580 

Bowdoin,  James,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
321 

Bowers,  1x4 
Bowles,  Davey,  290 
Bow-wood,  532,  602 
Braddock,  Gen.  Edward,  174,  396 
Brailsford  Sc  Morris,  138,  14X,  i6a,  163 
Brandon,  Prince  George  County,  Va., 
81 

Brandy,  xoo,  572 
Brass,  204 
Brassica  plants,  469 
Brastiea  alba,  2x3 ; naput,6^  \ oleracea 
var.  acephala,  64,  400,  var.  botrytu, 
9,  var.  capitata,  58,  6x,  var.  pem- 
mifera,  566;  rapa,  6x,  2x3;  semper- 
virens,  424,  430,  4S0,  481 
Brazil,  U.  S.  minister  to,  396 
Bread-tree,  256,  257,  602 
Breckenridge,  John,  letter  to  Jefferson, 
*37 

JUremo,  Fluvanna  County,  Va.,  584,  637 
Breuil,  Mr.,  513 
Brewer,  John,  73,  80 
Brick-kilns,  axz,  224 
Bricklayers,  Negro,  245 
Bricklaying,  69 

Brickmaking,  15,  18,  23,  42,  57,  80,  X73, 
228,  231 
Brickyard,  525 

Bridges,  garden,  iia;  Palladian,  XX2 
Brisson,  Mathurin  Jacques,  528 
Broccoli,  5,  48,  55,  73,  X17,  ao8,  443, 
469,  470,  589,  6x5,  639;  cauliflower, 
392;  French,  59;  green,  224,  474; 
Malta,  589:  purple,  392,  44a,  474, 
589;  Roman,  388,  389,  391,  393; 
white,  224,  392,  474 
Brock,  Mr.,  74 

Brockenbrough,  Arthur  8.,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  6x1 

Broom,  348,  475,  476,  507;  Scotch,  323, 
384,  479;  Spanish,  4,  118,  208,  446, 
55* 

Broussonetta  papyrtfera,  321,  363,  424, 
430 

Brown,  Mr.,  92,  5x3,  570 
Brown,  Capt.,  5x6 

Brown,  James,  167,  x68;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  169;  letter  to  Jefferson, 
169 

Brown,  Dr.  Samuel,  497,  503,  527;  let- 
ters from  Jefferson,  508,  5x6,  5x8, 


tKDEX 


67a 


53a  letter!  to  Jefferson,  489,  51a, 

Brown,  William,  letter  to  Jefferson, 
37* 

Brown,  Dr.  William,  SS,  64 
Bruce,  Mr.,  as7 

Brussels  sprouts,  474,  5aa,  536,  550, 
564-566,  5*9 
Bruta,  530 
Bryan,  Mr.,  a90 
Bubby  flower,  75,  81 
Buckeye,  34a,  646 
Buckingham,  Marquis  of,  iia 
Buckingham  County,  Va.,  84 
Buck  Island  Creek,  Va.,  130 
Buckwheat,  194-195,  199,  ioj,  ao8,  ai8, 
aai-aaa,  a46,  360,  474,  478,  641,  647, 
Buffalo,  ay 

Bufion,  Georges  Louis  Leclere  de,  95, 


99 

Bulbs,  139,  337,  340,  474,  480,  491 
Bull  Run  Mountains,  Va.,  463 
Bungle,  Robert,  300 
Burgoyne,  Gen.  John,  87 
Burgundy,  France,  377,  379 
Burlington,  N.  J.,  546 
Burma,  6ai 

Butnet,  76,  308,  360,  446,  466,  48a,  48a, 
648 

Burr,  Aaron,  369,  311,  330,  359 
Burweil,  William  A.,  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 304,  3*3.  43*  , 

Burying  ground  (at  MonUcellojt  15- 


27,  40-43,  44,  2391  635 
Bush  cranberry,  a6x 
Butter,  463 
Buttercup,  double,  99 


Cabbage,  34,  47,  70,  73,  tyS,  178,  ao8, 
333,  337,  387,  391,  44a,  4901  499-500. 
506-507,  Sto,  54*.  5«8-569,  605,  607, 
639;  Aberdeen,  474;  batterses,  550; 
blistered,  58;  cattle,  474;  curled, 
615;  dwarf,  474;  dwarf  early,  495, 
498,  5*8;  early,  340,  417.  4«9.  473. 
6x5;  fall,  433;  French,  48;  giant, 
389;  large,  496;  loaf,  635;  many 
head,  470;  May,  474;  Milan,  635; 
Neapolitan,  70;  ox-head,  635;  puck- 
ered, 58;  purple,  70;  red,  51,  474; 
Roman,  70,  yr,  73;  savoy,  47,  55, 
39*.  39»,  44a,  469-470,  473.  474,  495, 
496,  498-^99,  5»*.  S3«,  54*.  550.  S<4. 
576.  383,  583,  588,  599,  606,  6105 
schiane,  curled,  615;  Scotch,  334; 
Spanish,  48,  $8;  augarloaf,  409,  443, 
474;  turnip,  376;  white,  large,  613; 
winter,  565;  York,  334  388,  390, 
393,  399,  409,  495,  498,  499,  536,  550, 
576,  583,  3*8,  593,  606,  635 


Cabell,  Joseph  C.,  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 559,  565;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
55*.  560,  570 
Cabell,  William,  (59 
Cabinetmakers,  Negro,  345 
Cadiz,  Spain,  385,  396,  431,  438 
Cadogan,  Lord,  112 
Calash  (hat),  161 

Calendars,  farm,  641;  garden  {see 
Garden  calendars) 

Callicarpa,  French,  33,  27 
CaUiearpa  americana,  30,  139-140 
Calycanthus,  75,  308,  419,  494,  549,  568 
Calycanthus,  8a,  94,  5S6,  56a,  563; 

fioridus,  81,  99,  146,  150,  ^6 
Camden,  S.  C.,  396 
Camomile,  308 

Campanula^  478;  americana,  iio,  116; 

perfoliata,  no,  116 
Campbell,  N.,  34 
Canada,  419 
Canal  de  Briare,  305 
Canals,  78,  373-374,  3*6,  338-339.  4*9 
Canary  seed,  433 
Cane,  sugar,  15a,  sai,  573 
Canoes,  336 

Cantaloupe.  54,  130,  403,  613 
Cape  Charles,  Va.,  174 
Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Africa,  277,  379, 
49* 

Cape  Henry,  Va.,  174 
Cape  jasmine  (cape  jessamine),  4x9, 
453,  480 

Caper,  117.  >*7.  **9,  *35,  *38,  14*, 
177-178,  184  _ 

Capetown,  S.  Africa,  379 
Capitol,  U.  S.,  398,  535-536 
Capsicum,  bull  nose,  473 ; cayenne, 
473;  major,  473;  Texas,  533 
Capsicum,  469,  489,  508.  5**,  5*4-S*5. 
<17,  518,  5*7.  53a;  frutescens  var. 
Jonfum,  8;  minmum,  516;  minuiis- 
simum,  5x6 

Carcassonne,  France,  xa8 
Cardinal-flower,  scarlet,  335 
Carding  machine,  505 
Carnation,  4,  6,  9,  1x7,  35*,  455; 

double,  .^53,  480 
Carolina  kidney  bean  tree,  167 
Caroline  County,  Va.,  398,  5x8 
Carp,  xxa,  476,  4*5,  487.  493,  S**-S*3. 

5*6,  5*475*5,  5*7.  535,  583,  589,  596 
Carp  pond.  See  Fish  pond 
Carpenters,  roa,  X84,  345,  378,  377 
Carr,  Dabney,  to,  4X-43,  44 
Can,  Frank,  letter  to  Jefferson,  609 
Carr,  Mrs.  Martha  (Jefferson),  a,  6, 

.n**'^$* 

Carr,  Overton,  255 
Cmrr  family,  41,  xor 


Index 


673 


Carriages,  538 
Corro,  Or.,  381 
Carrossa  (ship),  133 
Carrot,  48,  49.  S5.  59.  75.  »o8.  **4.  3<o. 
386,  410,  44*.  4*9.  47*.  473.  493.  495. 
496.  498.  5«».  50fi.  5*a.  5*3.  5*5.  53®. 
550,  364.  570,  376.  58a,  5*8,  593.  599. 
606,  607,  610,  £13,  £39,  £48;  early, 
4701  large,  470;  orange,  389,  390. 
470.  47* : yellow,  443 
Carter,  Charles,  i59-i£o 
Carter,  John  C,,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
544 

Carter.  W.  Champe,  521 
Carter’s  Mountain,  Va.,  81,  i£o 
Carters,  229 
Cartersville,  Va.,  497 
Caruthers,  William,  488;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  507 

Cary,  Anne  (Edwards),  39 
Cary,  Col.  Archibald,  48-49,  39 
Cary,  Henry,  37 

Cary,  Richard,  lat;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 113,  ii£,  129 
Cary,  Wilson  Miles,  304 
C«rya  laeiaieia,  399;  pecan,  213 
Carytbrtok,  Fluvanna  County,  Va., 
396.  ,497.  504 
Cascades,  113 

Case,  Leonard,  £17 ; letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, £18 

Caspian  Sea,  321 
Cassava,  £43 
Cast'ta  hgustrina,  £44 
Cassine,  23,  27 
Cassioberry,  23,  27 

Ctutanea  dentata,  43;  pumila,  30; 

cativa,  43.  455.  5*9  , 

Catile  Hill,  Albemarle  County,  Va., 

Cas%s,  1 13 
Castor-oil  plant,  450 
Catachu,  £21 

Catalogues,  agricultural,  357;  Jeffer- 
son’s library,  341,  £53-££2;  plant, 
ifi7.  33* ; seed.  *85.  379 
Catalpa,  £38,  £43 

Catalpa,  2<|,  27,  2£s,  280,  284,  aSS; 

Ugnonioidet,  31 
Catchfly,  9 
Caterpillars,  320-321 
Catesby,  Mark,  140 
Cathalan,  Stephen,  138,  143,  147,  i£2, 
*77.  *79 ) letters  frum  Jefferson,  132, 
140,  132,  x8o,  293,  349 ; letter  to  Jef- 
ferson, 133 

Cathalan,  Stephen,  Jr.,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, t£o 
Catlet,  Mr,,  233 
Cato,  Marcus  Porcius,  537 


Cattle,  194,  242-245.  4«7.  53*.  544.  559. 

3fii,  332,  583 

Cauliflower,  s,  117,  208,  224,  302,  41S, 
443.  4*9,  470,  474.  6*5.  £39!  Dutch 
hard,  £33;  early,  388,  442;  English 
hard,  £35 

Cavmham,  England,  112 
Cawtons,  Prince  George  County,  Va., 
59 

Ceanothus,  flowering,  23 
Ceanoihut,  27;  americanus,  30,  no, 
iifi 

Cedar,  23,  189,  a£i,  538,  S59.  «33.  635- 
£37.  647:  dwarf,  3431  red,  3*.  *80, 
637 

Cedar  of  Lebanon,  333,  384,  431,  433, 
475.  476,  479.  480,  49*.  <21 
Cedrvs  Itbant,  3o£,  333,  479 
Celery,  4,  5,  8,  24,  33,  36,  49,  60,  191, 


3*6,  39*.  4*0,  469.  470,  473.  495.  498- 
300,  322,  550,  584,  388,  393.  607,  615. 
£39;  red,  389,  409;  solid,  49,  208, 
224,  389,  44*.  550 
Cellars,  i£ 

Cclosia  argeutea,  8 

Cement,  34] ; hydraulic,  £00,  £03;  Ro- 
man, 383,  386-387,  595,  £03 
Cemetery.  See  Burying  ground 
Ctitlaurea  maerocephala,  480 
Central  College.  See  Virginia,  Uni- 
versity of 
Cereuut,  23,  27 
Cercu  eanadentit,  31,  £46 
Cereals,  £09 
Ceret  (ship),  104 
Cevennes  Mountains,  Prance,  128 
Chain,  549 
Chair,  one-horse,  3 

Chambers,  J.,  463,  303;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  462,  506;  letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 461 

Champagne,  France,  277,  279 
Chapel  Branch,  Va.,  79 
Charcoal,  326,  327,  347,  356,  3<9,  37*. 
466 

Charles  City  County,  Va.,  22,  28,  33 
Charles  Ci^  Court  House,  Va.,  20 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  107,  108,  177.  *80 
Charleston,  VF.  Va.,  390 
Charlottesville,  Va.,  £0,  £8,  84,  102, 
159-ifio,  174,  183,  240,  244,  248,  *94, 

3*5.542-543.565 

Chastellux,  Frangois  Jean,  Marquis  de. 


96 

CKaste-tree,  333 

Chatham,  William  Pitt,  Earl  of,  114 
Cheltta,  King  William  County,  Va., 
10,  12,  20 

Chemistry,  289,-380 
Cherokee  Indians,  130 


Ikdex 


Cherry,  *5,  ai,  43,  50-3*,  35,  66,  71, 
75i  S2i  id£,  X5g,  x£a,  aio,  axg,  254, 
»S5.  *67.  **0,  319.  33S,  4».  44S.  453, 
4^*1  54*,  S43,  579,  6*7.  64*; 
reau,  43,  gg ; black,  425 ; Broadnax, 
4®,  44,  75,  b«ncb,  isg;  camattoo, 
39,  43,  75.  8*.  94,  335,  4*5.  475.  556i 
choke,  334,  34a;  common,  5 ; corniole, 

50,  <1;  Duke,  39.  43,  44,  75,  8*! 
dwarr,  33,  27;  European  wloter, 
335)  heart,  43,  94,  98,  426,  468; 
Italian,  6x;  Jeruaalem,  369;  Kentish, 
94,  9*.  *64;  May,  6,  10,  425;  May- 
dufce,  94,  9g,  3SS,  4x5,  426,  475; 
Moreilo  (Morellaa,  Myrilla},  lO,  43, 
75,  3*,  3x0;  pie,  9g;  sour,  93;  sweet, 
98;  Tuckahoe,  445,  449,  434,  468; 
wild,  as,  27,  31,  xsg,  361,  633,  636, 
<45 

Chesapeake  (ship),  330 
Chesapeake  Bay,  301,  sao 
Chesterfield  County,  Va,  28 
Chestnut,  187,  645 ! American,  43  j 
common,  39,  43;  European,  43; 
French,  39,  40;  Spanish,  43,  453.  480 
Chestnut  pales,  377  j rails,  17 
Chevrning  (Chuning),  Robert,  247 
Chickens,  X51,  152,  161 
Chjck  pea,  527, 582,  589,  dio 
Chicory,  306 
Chile,  59X 
Chiles,  Mr.,  248 
Chillicothe,  Ohio,  397,  8x7 
China,  125,  3*1,  3*5.  397,  4*4 
Chinaberi^  tree,  83 
China  Maidenhair  tree,  32X 
China  tree,  398 

Chinquapin,  23^  27,  140,  326,  645 
CAionanikur  vir/mica,  xxo,  xda,  <46 
Cbionicoccos,  520 

Chisolm,  Hugh,  311.  492,  59S,  398; 
»«t*«r  from  Jefferson,  440;  letter  to 
Jefferson,  377 
Chiswick,  England,  rrr 
Chive,  473,  477,  498,  300,  3a* 

Chub,  497,  503,  5*1,  525,  5*7,  53*,  583. 

589;  Roanoke,  4S6 
Chub  pond,  589 
Cicer  arietinumf  ^27 
Ciehorittm  endma,  74,  2S3;  inlykus, 

51,  *15.  «8,  *22,  459 

Cider,  247,  2fig  333,  374,  373,  j,* 
Cmeinnati,  Ohio,  6s^ 

CUterna^  41^  437,  440,  535,  541^ 

5*3»  S^4i  5871  595i  59*1  toj,  8jo, 

Cfiiaea  (schooner),  289 
CitruUus  vulgarit,  19,  63 
Citrus  aurantiUlia,  399;  auraiUiun, 
*4.  399 


Claiborne,  William  C.  C.,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  318 
Claremont,  England,  iiz 
Clark,  Daniel,  Jr.,  279;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  270;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
268,  271,  273 
Clark,  Jeremiah,  252 
Clark,  William,  281-282,  292,  309,  360, 
^ 373,  4*8,  431,  <01 
Clarkson,  Samuel,  186,  190-192 
Claxton,  Mr.,  424 

Clay,  Rev.  Charles,  446,  449-450,  494, 
497,  5®3:  letters  from  Jefferson,  317, 
337,  493,  547,  letters  to  Jefferson, 
44A  548 

Clay,  Mrs.  Edith  (Davies),  548 
Clayton,  Dr.  John,  50,  60,  no,  172, 
305-306,  643,  647 
ClemaHs,  336 
Clermont  (ship),  142 
Cletbra,  23,  27,  109,  116;  alnifolia,  30 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  617 
Cl^eland  Herald,  6x7 
Clifton,  29 

Climate,  157,  160,  163,  176,  222,  253, 
463,  490,  50a,  505,  S»*>  518,  534,  54*. 
567,  57,8-f7y,  s8o;  European,  tap, 
276:  Virginia,  339,  647-648 
Climatology,  Jefferson's  records  of,  73, 
622-628.  See  also  Meteorology; 
Weather 

Clive,  Eord  Robert,  i la 
Clivers,  644 
Cloacina,  463,  349 
Clothing,  sax,  539-54® 

Cloudberry,  646 

Clover,  13,  ij,  36,  96,  tpoi  194-193, 
198,  200,  206-207,  *18,  221-222,  228, 
*3*,  *33,  *35-»37,  *4a-a43,  *5o,  *54, 
260,  262-263,  *74,  *76,  *86,  *96-297, 
315,  3*8.  343,  355,  378,  384,  395,  440, 
454,  4<i,  466-467,  5*7-S*8,  543-544, 
54*!  red,  191-192,  193-194,  i97-*99, 
201-202,  205,  208,  233-234,  246,  3S«, 
366/  482,  sia,  627,  648;  scarlet,  433; 
White,  13,  X9X-X92, 197-198,  201,  ao8, 
*56,  *74,  350,  351,  648;  yellow,  474, 

D^P 

Clover  Fields,  Albemarle  County,  Va., 
*93 

Coach  houses,  Montieeiio,  avg 
Cobbs,  Mr.,  6x6 

Cobbs,  Chesterfield  County,  Va.,  27 
Co<*in  China,  I2s-xa6,  143,  380-381 
Cochleana,  48 
Coehlearia  ofieinalis,  58 
Cocke,  Mr.,  486 

J*™**  497,  503;  letter*  from 

Jefferson,  486,  3x1;  letters  to  Jef- 
ferson, 486,  487,  SIX 


Index 


675 


Cocke,  Gen.  John  Hartwell,  554,  S5S, 
571,  SSj,  S8+-S85.  589.  fit*:  diary  of, 
637-638;  letters  from  Jefferson,  507, 
596 

Cockscomb,  4 
Coffee,  57* 

Coffee,  William  J.,  588,  589,  59J,  595, 
603 ; letters  from  Jefferson,  583,  586, 
601 

Coffyn,  Francis,  130;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 137,  150 

Cold,  resistance  of  plants  to,  1*9 

Cole  (plant),  233 

Cole,  Mr.,  57 

Cole,  Col.,  358 

Coleman,  Mr.,  493 

Coles,  Col.,  335 

Coles,  Isaac  A.,  433,  429-430,  449,  468, 
527;  letters  from  Jefferson,  458,  571; 
letters  to  Jefferson,  433,  454,458,  531, 
SS4.  SSfi.  S7*>  595 
Coles,  Isetta,  430 

Coles,  Mrs.  Julia  (Strieker),  430,  442, 

448,  458 

Coles,  Strieker,  43a 
Coles,  Walter,  475.  479.  5Sfi.  57* 
Colewort,  55,  71,  224 
Collard,  64 

Cette,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  36-57, 
63,  64,  78,  81,  88,  209,  2*5,  *35,  336, 
377.  405 

Colle  Branch,  476,  493 
College  of  William  and  Mary.  See 
William  and  Mary  College 
Colleges,  agriculture  in,  289-290 
Collins,  Mr.,  225,  286,  295 
Columbia  River,  3x5,  481 
Columbo,  American,  433 
Columns,  atone,  80 
Colutea  arborescens,  479 
Cones,  140 

Constantinople,  Turkey,  305 
Consuls,  288,  305 

Continental  Congress.  See  United 
States  Continental  Congress 
Convallaria  wajalu,  32 
Convent,  104 
Convolvulus  batatas,  645 
Cooch,  Mr.,  3x2;  letter  irom  Jefferson, 
3*5 

Cook,  Capt.  James,  257 
Cookery,  514 
Cooks,  229 

Coolidge,  Ellen  (Randolph),  letter  of, 
636;  letter  from  Jefferson,  6x8;  let- 
ter to  Jefferson,  6x8 
Coolidge,  William,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 453;  letter  to  Jefferson,  450 
Cooper,  Mr,,  164,  334,  341 


Cooper,  Dr.  Thomas,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 534 
Cooper’s  house  34X 
Coramandal  (ship),  417 
Corinthian  porticos,  X14 
Cork  acorns,  132,  136,  138 
Cork  oak,  491 
Cork  tree,  141,  505 

Com,  xa,  55,  xa?,  xsa,  193.  *95.  *97. 
X99-2or,  2x8,  221,  222,  228,  230,  334, 
*35.  237.  238,  *44,  247^50,  252,  256, 
267,  27*,  297,  302,  3*5.  3*6,  327.  357. 
3«4.  378,  395,  435.  436,  44X,  46X,  4*4- 
4<d.  497,  SO*.  509,  5**,  5*5,  5*7,  5*9. 
5*fi.  535,  543.  544.  54^,  547,  55*.  S86, 
587,  590,  639 ; broom,  647 ; Cherokee, 
*03,  360,  4*4,  ^6,  47x;  drying,  X30; 
early,  613;  Brie,  390;  forward,  xoi, 
208,  2ti,  424;  guinea,  166;  hominy 
(homony),  X30,  137,  337;  Indian,  56, 
87,  98.  *30,  138,  *53.  *78,  183,  *84, 
190,  191,  192,  194,  198,  203,  222,  241- 
243,  262,  263,  296,  320,  321,  460,  628, 
641,  647;  latter,  rot;  Mandan,  336, 
373;  Mazaei,  aii;  Pani,  336,  337, 
360,  366,  4*4,  430.  446.  47*.  473,  49*, 
500,  523,  5S9;  quarantine,  3*8,  3*0, 
321,  329,  336,  356,  367,  20ft. 

337;  sweet,  29,  4*4 
Corncobs,  machine  for  crushing,  545 
Cornices,  488-489 
Corn  lands,  251 
Corn  report,  144 

Corn  salad,  224,  39*.  393,  4*4.  444. 

469,  499,  639 
Cornsbellers,  545 

Cornus  florida,  31,  xio,  rrs,  xx6,  xso, 
284,  *88,  30s,  306,  339,  646 
Corn  worm,  243 
Coronilla  emerus,  30 
Correa  da  Serra,  Jos6  Francisco,  50a, 
53*.  558,  559.  6x9-620;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  53a,  535,  553.  575.  590 
Corylus  amencana,  30;  avellana,  58, 
398,  645 

Cotton,  67,  X4t.  152,  X94,  3*1,  360,  374, 
375.  379,  383,  400,  407.  409,  4*2,  4S«, 
4<o.  479,  505.  578,  60*,  64X,  648; 
green  seed,  404;  Negro,  2x9;  Sea 
Island  blade  seed,  404 
Cotton  tree,  309 
Cotton  wheels,  466 
Courier  de  VEuroft  (ship),  xax 
Couture,  Mr.,  180 
Cowes,  England,  142 
Cowles,  Va.,  80 
Cowper,  John,  296 
Cows,  467,  544 
Cowslip,  369',  6x2 


Index 


676 


Coxe,  T«nch,  letters  from  Jefferson, 
217,  2}6 

Crab  apple.  See  Apple 
Cradlers,  228-429 

Crambe  maritima,  399,  4e£,  453,  585 
Cranberry,  135,  645 
Cranberry  bush,  166 
Cranberry  tree,  i6i 
Crataegus,  23,  27;  eerfineii,  646;  ear- 
data,  299;  erus-galli,  30,  162,  559; 
tkaenopyrum,  299;  tomeaiasa,  110 
Craven,  John  H.,  267,  274,  353,  3^6, 
367,  37*1  39> 

Creek  Indiana,  597 
Cremona,  Italy,  £15 
Cress,  71,  639;  English,  224;  garden, 
49>  74;  Italian,  49;  mountain,  208; 
upland,  213 

Crocus,  cloth  of  gold,  489 
Crocus  versius,  489 

Crop  rotation,  183,  230,  237,  24t-245, 
263,  3£t,  4£t,  yta;  Jefferson’s  sys- 
tem, i92-t9£,  t99-40o,  an,  217-218, 
220-423,  259,  *7*1  »?7i  4<4i  4*91  546“ 
547,  £41;  Randolph’s  system,  197- 
198,  200-402;  Taylor's  system,  220- 
223 

Crops,  204,  304,  £41 
Crown  imperial,  337,  4o£,  407,  432, 
453,  4SS<  4*0,  4**,  49»,  5**,  635 
Crowninshield,  Mr.,  411 
Crowninahield,  Jacob,  letters  to  Jef- 
ferson, 309,  347 
Cuba,  514 

Cucumber,  £,  r£,  33,  51,  52,  56,  £1,  £2, 
71,  388,  4a£,  469,  473,  496-500,  so£, 
516,  579,  5»»,  593,  «07,  <*3,  <»<,  617, 
£19,  £28,  £39;  early,  224,  3 **-3*9, 
391-39*.  ,44a,  470-47*.  5*3.  53*.  5*9. 
£10;  early  white,  470,  471 ; forward, 
ao8,  446,  470,  550,  599,  £o£:  frame, 
576,  5*9.  599;  green,  early,  ao8,  442, 
44«,  47».  5*3,  336,  565,  5991  serpen- 
tine, 6x8 

Cucumber-tree,  323,  355,  422,  646 
Cucumis  anguria,  503;  melo,  £4,  213; 
tuelo  var,  easttalupensis,  £3;  sativus, 
10,  213 

Cucurbits,  Miami,  523 
Cueurhita,  329;  lagenaria,  317; 
maxima,  2x3;  melopepo,  274,  £47; 
mosehata,  2x3,  400;  fepo,  £4,  £47; 
verrucosa,  274,  305,  3o£,  £47 
Culpeper  Court  House,  Va.,  7 
Cumberland  Court  House,  Va.,  29,  72 
Cufressus  distieha,  no,  xi£,  X39,  X40, 
£47;  thyoides,  xxo,  X15,  ix£ 

Curls,  Henrico  County,  Va.,  37 
Currant,  ax,-  7fi,  94,  ao8,  264,  347,  373, 
‘174.  475,  49*.  50P,  5*0,  554,  639; 


black,  83;  red,  S3;  mountain,  aaa; 
sweet-scented,  474,  490,  s£8 ; yellow, 
475,  4*t,  490 
Currant  squares,  2£x 
Currie,  Dr.  James,  308,  £32;  letter 
from  Jefferson,  307 
Curtilages,  485,  492 
Cush  aw,  £09 

Cutting,  John  Brown,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, X54 

Cutting,  Capt.  Nathaniel,  381 
Cuvier,  George  Chr£tien  Leopold 
Freddric  Dagobert,  529,  530 
Cydonia  oblonga,  x8,  99 
Cymling,  236,  274,  301.  3o£,  497.  5**. 

£47;  soft,  385,  397;  warted,  49£,  523 
Cynara  scolymus,  10 
Cyperus,  303 
Cypress,  140,  £47 
Cypress  vine,  155,  xfix,  353,  3£3 
Cypripedium  caleeolus,  i£2 
Cytisus  laburnum,  333,  446;  seoparius, 
479 

Dactylis,  303 

Dactyloclenium  aegypiium,  429 
Daffodil,  36* 

Dairy,  4££ 

Daisy,  24,  27 

Dalton,  Tristran,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
570 

Dams,  8fi,  32£,  441,  493.  S»9.  5*5 
Dangerneld,  Miss,  357 
Dangerfield,  Mrs.  Mary,  357,  382 ; let- 
ter from  Jefferson,  324 
Darnell,  Mr.,  492,  540 
Date,  X3S,  138,  ^33 
Datura  stramontum,  517,  £44 
Davenport,  Mr.,  259,  a£^  514 
David,  John,  555,  585;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  548,  554 
Davis,  Augustine,  552 
Davis,  John  A.  O.,  293 
Dearborn,  Mrs,  Dorcas  (Osgood) 
Marble,  599,  £01 ; letter  from  Jeffer- 
son. 555  i letter  to  Jefferson,  5*8 
Dearborn,  Gen.  Henry,  4x1;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  413,  £00 
Dearborn,  Brig.  Gen.  Henry  Alex- 
ander Scammell,  548 
Debnam,  Mordecai,  35,  76,  82 
Decatur,  Capt.  Stephen,  410,  4x2 
Declaration  of  Independence,  28,  29, 
44,  50X 
DtM,  *7,  55* 

Deer  park,  £9,  81,  8£,  96, 113-114,  525, 
53* 

De  la  Motte,  M.,  285 
Delaware,  aai 
Delaware  River,  604 


Index 


677 


Delphinium,  9,  429;  exaltatum,  44s, 


Denmark,  450 

Derieux,  Justin  Pierre  Plumatd 
(Peter),  *n,  *15;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 488,  604 
Detroit,  Mich.,  431 
Devonshire,  Duke  of,  in 
Dewberry,  £46 
Dials,  loj 

Dianthus,  8 ; barbatus,  9,  ^9,  335,  337 ; 
caryophyllus,  8,  335;  chinensis,  335; 
plumarius,  9 

Diaries,  Jefferson's  meteorological, 
632-638 

Dickinson,  John,  letter  from  Jefferson, 


Diffenderffer,  John,  419;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  406 

Digges,  Thomas,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
580 

Dinsmore,  James,  278,  283,  313,  358, 

. 

Diodati,  Domenico,  Comte  de,  letter 
from  Jefferson,  343 

Dianaea,  12a;  muscipula,  tot,  ivj,  129, 
146,  249,  »7»i  3*S.  396  . . 
Dutpyros,  139,  140:  mryintnna,  no, 
150,  305,  339,  64s 
Distilleries,  Henderson's,  291,  492 
Distiller’s  syphons,  414 
Divers,  George,  171.  i74i  a+7.  SSfii  39*i 
397)  4*0,  4*3.  4a8i  430.  449,  47S.  47*. 
4*7,  S37-539,  S5h  S^S,  Sfi<.  5*9,  59«> 
399,  601 ; letters  from  Jefferson,  348, 
331,  454,  483,  619;  letters  to  Jeffer- 
son, 34*.  4*0,  454,  4*4,  53»,  544.  5<9, 

591,  59a 

Divers,  Martha  (Walker),  174 
Divers  family,  50X,  326,  532 
Dobson,  Mr.,  538 
Dock,  73 

Dogs,  163,  383,  439 

Dogwood,  23,  27,  87,  165,  280,  3or,  494, 

37.9,  <*7,  <46 
Deltchot,  645 
Dolls,  69 

Donald,  Alexander,  130,  230,  262;  let- 
ter from  Jefferson,  152 
Donald,  James,  32,  62 
Donald,  William,  63 
Donlevy,  John,  14 

Dortle,  John,  437;  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 462;  letters  to  Jefferson,  436, 


Daugherty,  Joseph,  290,  299 
Douglas,  Margaret,  18 
Douglas,  Key.  William,  2,  18 
Drayton,  William,  131,  133-136,  147, 
162;  letters  from  Jefferson,  116,  122, 


12^  134,  *3^,  *3*,  >43,  >63;  letter  to 
Jefferson,  107 

Drilling  machines,  217-218,  244 
Drill-ploughs,  518 

Drills,  196,  203,  233-234,  330,  362,  372, 
376,  426 

Droughts,  70,  203,  304,  319,  3a*.  353, 
416,  439,  457.  458,  496,  soa,  StS,  544, 
547.  55*.  5*7.  <*9 

Duane,  William,  313,  318,  343,  346; 

letter  from  Jefferson,  332 
Duckbill,  330 

Ducks,  muscovy,  419;  summer,  408 
Dudley,  George,  18,  42 
Dufief,  N.  G.,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
516 

Dumont  de  Courset,  Georges  Louis 
Marie,  306 
Dunbar,  William,  301 
Duncastle’s  (Doncastle's)  Ordinary,  12 
Dundas,  Sir  Thomas,  114 
Dung,  199.  See  alto  Fertiliser 
Dunkirk,  Prance,  137,  139,  130 
Du  Pont,  E.  I.,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
491 

Dupont  de  Nemours,  Pierre  Samuel, 
315;  letters  from  Jefferson,  394,  302 
Duties,  customs,  484 
Duval,  Mr.,  480,  482 
Dyeing,  plants  used  in,  451 
Dynamometers  435 

Earlysville,  Va.,  61 
Earthquakes,  57 
East  Indies,  131,  133,  321,  379 
Eastern  Shore,  Md.,  153 
Eclipses,  448 

Edyehill,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  203, 
afi9,  35*.  3*0,  39*,  4»7 
Ed/remont,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  304 
Edinburgh,  Scotland,  398,  475-476,  303, 
504,  584;  Botanic  Garden,  492;  Uni- 
versity of,  39,  64 
Education,  426-427,  611 
Eels,  American,  383,  384 
Eggplant,  389,  392,  439,  433,  480,  323, 
<39 

Egypt,  132,  >34 
Elder,  23,  27,  646 
Elk,  27,  8t 

EH  HUl,  Goochland  County,  Va.,  92 
Elkton,  Md.,  183,  190,  X92,  202,  203, 
206,  225 

Ellicott,  Andrew,  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 272,  488 
Ellis,  Sir  Wellbore,  iti 
Ellis  & Allan,  581 

Elm,  170,  475-476.  63s,  <47;  English, 
479 

Elsworth,  Mr«  166 


Index 


678 


Embargo,  559,  i62,  367,  370,  376,  394. 
46a 

Emmet,  Dr.  John  P.,  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 611,  619 
Emurus,  23,  27 

Endive,  71,  279,  295,  4fi9.  499,  soo,  S43. 
5SO,  564,  639;  broad,  393;  broad- 
leaved, 224;  earled,  208,  391-393. 
444,  634;  Meaux,  634;  smooth,  393; 
wild,  47;  winter,  ao8 
Enfield  Chase,  England,  114 
England,  54,  110-114,  233,  a3d,  238, 
249-250,  257,  40*.  459.  4<a.  5o6.  5*0, 
560,  569,  612 

Engrafting,  248.  See  also  Grafting 
Enniscorthy,  Albemarle  County,  Va., 

430,  445.  44*.  449.  5*5.  5»< 

Ensette,  257 
Entomology,  190 
Epitaph,  Jefferson’s,  44 
Eppes,  Elizabeth  (Wayles).  £0 
Eppes,  Francis  (father  of  John  W. 
Eppes),  49,  51,  fio,  £a,  101,  103,  105, 
142,  211,  ai6,  £34 

Eppes,  Francis  (son  of  John  W.  Ep- 
pes), 292,  394.  419.  4*8.  44*.  4<t. 
534.  551-55*!  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, £08,  £13,  £i£ 

Eppes,  John  Wayles,  £0,  247,  253,  254, 
*<«.  *93.  357.  477.  i*o,  5*6 ! letters 
from  Jefferson,  2£7,  286,  295,  297, 
4*5.  4*8.  534.  SS*.  55*.  568,  5*7.  602 
Eppes,  Maria  (Jefferson),  £0,  80,  101, 
105,  120,  172,  185,  211,  245,  253,  *54. 
*57.  *9*.  300;  letters  from  Jefferson, 
151,  15a,  i£o-i£2,  i£5,  a££,  267,  a£9, 
*73.  *94.  *95!  letters  to  Jefferson, 
151,  t£i 

Eppes,  Mrs.  Martha  (Jones),  551,  562, 
5£8,  £02 

Eppes  family,  273,  394 
Eptington,  Chesterfield  County,  Va, 
£0,  101,  2i£,  254,  269,  39£ 

Era  of  Good  Feeling,  5££ 

Erosion,  soil,  238,  358,  427,  451,  509- 
510,  567-568,  570-57* 

Erving,  George  W.,  447,  450 
Eremm  lens,  38£ 

Erythrina  coralUdendnn,  514 
Etker-Plaee,  England,  111 
Este,  Hinton,  152 

Estragon,  403.  See  also  Tarragon 
Euonymut  amerieanns,  £4£;  europaeus, 
£45 

Euphorbia  ipetacuanhae,  £44 
, Europe,  n£,  397,  £15 

Evans,  Oliver,  378,  545;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  324 
Evergreens,  24,  27 


Experiments,  agricultural,  257,  35s 
Exploiation,  western,  281-282 

Fabroni,  John,  letter  from  Jefferson,  73 
Fagopyrum  esculentum,  214,  4^8 
Fagas  castanea,  139,  645;  pumila,  645; 
sylvatiea,  £^7 

Fairfax,  Ferdinando,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 217 

Falling  Creek,  Amelia  County,  Va.,  37 
Fallows,  192-195,  197.  198,  199,  *01, 
202 

Falls  tc  Brown,  404,  407-408 
Farina,  131 

Farm,  calendars  of  work  on,  £41 
Farm,  The,  Albemarle  County,  Va., 
*93,  S04, 

Farm  buildings,  242 
Farmers,  18a 

Farming,  24,  194-195,  199.  431-43*! 
Jefferson’s,  173-174,  i8£,  189,  198, 
208,  212,  217,  233,  241-245,  361,  394, 
411,  4£i,  51*,. .513,  636 
Farmington,  Albemarle  County,  Va., 
174,  478.  601 

Farms,  433,  512;  Jefferson’s,  183,  187, 
*02,  *35,  *38,  *50,  *65.  *70,  394-395, 

Fast  days,  57 
Fauns,  72,  86 

Fauquier  Court  House,  Va.,  7,  573 
Fay.  Joseph,  letters  to  Jefferson,  167, 
179 

Fence  palings,  38;  rails,  17,  34 
Fences,  29,  79,  84,  ixa,  154,  156,  *11, 
**7,  *74,  3*6,  347,  356-359.  377.  382, 
432,  4£7,  49a,  549,  5£8.  See  also 
Hedges 
Fennel,  £15 

Fenwick,  Joseph,  i£o,  181 
Fern,  io£ 

Femes,  30 

Fertilizers,  £7,  177,  185,  191-192,  196, 
198,  199,  203,  2x8,  222,  228,  236,  238, 
*43,  *63,  *86,  369,  383,  474.  soo,  517, 
543,  586,  £41,  £49 
Fescues,  423 

Few,  Col.  William,  359,  4x2,  4£o;  let- 
ter from  Jefferson,  3£i;  letters  to 
Jefferson,  351,  362 
Ficus  eariea,  x8 
Fiddleatrings,  £9 

Fields,  228,  230,  231,  246,  29£,  446,  464, 

465,  5*7.  636 

Fi*.  *5,  *7.  **7,  1*9.  135,  *38,  14*,  *81, 
*08,  223-224,  249,  264,  3o£,  33a,  387, 
4*5,  437,  438-^39,  474,  497,  49*.  500, 
537.  543.  636,  £48;  Marseilles,  143, 
4*6.  439,  534.  <37!  porple,  5695 
white,  569 


Indbx 


679 


Filbert  (iilbuds),  47,  58,  167,  169,  387, 
S*9i  5*4 

Fine  arts,  303->304 

Fir,  456;  balm-of-Gilead,  167,  453, 
480;  hemlock  spruce,  167,  647;  Nor* 
way,  »6t : Scotch,  47s,  47®!  49o,  491 ; 
silver,  157,  138,  167,  168,  177,  47s, 
47*5.  479 
Fire,  6a4 

Fireflies,  190,  579,  €*7 
Fireplaces,  173 

Firewood,  34,  175,  *14,  aaS,  347,  357 
Fishes,  tS7,  486,  487,  511,  513,  514,  sax 
Fish  ponds,  360,  476,  48s,  486,  493.  497i 
SXi-sia,  5*4.  5*5.  5*6.  SSS,  5*3.  5*9. 
596.  631 
Fitch,  Mr.,  aoS 
Fitz,  W.  D.,  89 

Fitzhugh,  Peregrine,  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, asf,  a5<i  259 
Fitzhugh,  Richard,  303;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  310,  513;  Tetter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 510 

Fitzhugh,  William,  £7,  400 
Flag,  See  Iris 

Flax,  87,  89,  15a,  194,  19s,  X98,  37a, 
379.  400.  4«7.  479.  S^S.  64*.  <47.  64*: 
Cremona,  613 ; perennial,  345,  433 
Flax  wheels,  455 

Fleming,  Judge  William,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  4x7 
Fleur-de-Hs.  See  Irli 
Flies,  39a;  Hessian  {eee  Hessian  flies) 
Flood,  Major,  480,  48a 
Floods,  za,  *9.  57.  *6*.  *75.  4*7.  43*. 

SZj.  See  alto  Freshets 
Flora  VirginUa,  Clayton's,  S47 
Florence,  Italy,  117 
Florida,  324,  say,  619 
Flour,  4S*-4S9,  5** 

Flower  beds,  a,  10,  330-311,  333,  348, 
349.  35*.  369.  4**.  4*3.  636 
Flower  borders,  349,  354,  380,  4x3,  4x9, 
445.  449.  455.  474,  477,  47* 

Flower  de  luce,  a4.  See  alto  Int 
Flower  gardens,  7,  333,  554 
Flower  pots,  170,  aSo,  334,  491,  396, 
59*.  603 

Flower  roots,  353 

Flowers,  84,  285,  saa,  357,  373,  535; 

blooming  calendar,  94,  96,  99 
Flower  seeds,  353,  409,  soS,  331,  ss5 
Fluvanna  County,  Va.,  84,  i5o,  384 
Fluvanna  River,  Va.,  30 
Fodder,  7,  101,  330,  833,  X4a,  3*7.  35*. 

459,  5*6,  53»,  535 
Fontainebleau,  France,  io5 
Ford,  Bartlet,  33,  37 
Fords,  83,  Z9-30 


Forett,  TJiet  Charles  City  County,  Va., 
*0,  *4,  43,  60,  7a 
Forestry,  books  on,  540 
Fothergilla,  139,  140 
Fountains,  5x8 
Four-o'clocks,  to 

Fowl,  179,  641 ; East  laidia,  394,  379 
Foxcioft,  F.,  13 

Fragaria,  9 ; vetea,  98,  i5a ; vlrginiana, 

54s 

Framing,  173 

France,  98,  103,  104,  103,  117-ZX8,  xao, 
raa,  148,  383,  aSp,  33a,  440,  450,  463, 
517,  54a,  544;  agriculture  in,  xa5-' 
189,  aaa,  361,  36a,  370,  37a,  374-376, 
357;  gardens  of,  1x9;  seeds  and 
plants  sent  to,  xoS,  138,  879-280, 
*84-«85,  **7-a*9,  *90,  *97,  3«>,  339. 
34*-350,  369-370,  39*.  407-40*,  455. 
632-633;  seeds,  fruits,  and  plants 
sent  from,  io5,  136,  3x4,  249,  257, 
a5a,  aSy,  335,  353-354.  378-38«,  3*3. 
4X0,  416,  440,  445-447,  459,  477.  4*o, 
49t,  504,  510,  S13,  5>9-5»o,  596-597, 
604-503,  509,  5x4,  5ao,  534-535,  537 
Frankincense,  399 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  X03.  105,  1x9,  384 
Franks,  Col.  David  8.,  xap 
Fratera  carolinientit,  429 
Fraxinella,  334,  3^ 

Praxinut,  479;  alba,  284;  amertcnna, 
xio,  547;  novae  angliae,  647 
Frazer,  Mr.,  375 

Fredericksburg,  Va.,  x*3,  238,  333, 
39s,  300,  372,  555,  357,  380 
Fredericktown,  Md.,  207 
Free  Bridge,  Albemarle  County,  Va., 
30 

Freeman,  John  Holmes,  399,  309,  3x2, 
336,  337,  339,  338,  37X ; letters  from 
Jefferson,  307,  314,  3x6,  330 
French  and  Indian  War,  396 
Frenchmen,  settlement  of,  603 
Freshets,  291,  294,  360,  368,  476,  337. 

See  alto  Floods 
Fringe-tree,  627,  634,  646 
Frogs,  x6o,  x6x 

Frost,  53,  56,  54,  65,  58,  77,  88-87,  89, 
xox,  xoa,  148,  X30,  X3X,  X67,  X78,  188, 
2x9,  aa6,  845.  3'0,  3*5.  35*.  34*.  37*. 
4»»,  415,  434-435,  Sos,  5**,  53«,  536, 
557,  564,  6*4 

Fruit  trees,  x8,  38,  97,  xo6,  335.  *4*. 
39a,  3x4,  6X3 

Fruitery,  36,  361,  5*4.  5*7 
Fruits,  X06,  X33,  *35,  *6*.  *63,  49*.  547. 
644-648 

Fry,  Joshua,  X59 

Fulton,  Robert,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
435 


68o 


Index 


Furnaces,  iron,  410 
Furniture,  184,  305,  aod 
Furze,  208,  361 

Gaines,  Hieron,  326 

Gaines,  Humphrey,  71,  74 

Gaines,  Kichard,  93 

Gale,  Levin,  letter  from  Jefferson,  557 ; 

letter  to  Jefferson,  SS7 
Galium  mollugo,  450;  spurium,  644 
Gallatin,  Albert,  351 ; letters  from 
Jefferson,  63,  343,  55*.  573. 
Gallipolis,  Ohio,  439 
Gamble,  Col.  Richard  (Jefferson's  mis- 
take for  Robert),  233;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  296 
Game  refuge,  27 

Garavances,  527,  532,  613;  Texas,  523 
Garbanzo,  527 

Garden  books,  Jefferson’s,  19,  no 
Garden  calendars,  Jefferson’s,  388- 
393.  399.  4a<>-4«^.  44a-444.  470-47«. 
495-500.  582-5*5.  53«-537.  550-55*. 
564-565.  576,  58a-5*3.  588-589.  593- 
594.  599.  606,  610;  Jefferson’s  notes 
for,  5>5-5ti 

Gardeners,  25,  144,  177,  273,  288,  390, 
3^5.  3761  418,  423.  508;  French,  138; 
Italian,  203,  2(^;  Scotch,  285 
Gardentrt  DUthuary,  The,  19,  58, 
a?4.  37*.  37a 
Gardema,  139,  14a 

Gardening,  books  on,  303,  352,  636, 
655-662 

Garden  plans,  25,  208,  212,  335 
Gardens,  a,  50,  57,  60,  6t,  73,  83,  98, 
104,  no,  132,  293,  *97,  307,  3*9.  347. 
350,  35fi.  357.  3^3-365.  396.  411.  4*6. 
469-472  { botanical,  60,  401,  450,  478, 
49*.  5*0,  547.  554.  559.  ,578:  English, 
110-114,  3*3-3*41  of  King  of  France, 
105;  kitchen,  11a,  114,  284,  307,  337; 
National  Garden  of  France,  378-379, 
383.  440.  455,  456,  490,  5<H.  507.  5*3. 
547.  559.  578:  prisoners’,  87-88 
Garland,  James,  88 
Garlic,  47,  58,  ao8,  224,  469.  473.  477. 

Garth,  Thomas,  71,  74,  88,  149 
Gates,  78,  635 
Geese,  ^6,  94.  40S,  419 
Gehemium  sempetvirent,  31,  4M 
Gelaton,  David,  letters  from  Jeflwraon, 
531,  614;  letters  to  Jefferson,  532, 
554 

Genet,  Edmond  Charles,  185 
Gen^a,  Switzerland,  429 
Genhfa  juneea,  446 
Genoa,  Italy,  124,  128 
Gentian,  645 


Gently,  John,  312 
Geography,  301,  33a,  412,  531 
Georgetown,  Md.,  255,  313,  545 
Georgia,  117-118,  120-121,  123,  134, 
143-144.  381,  412,  505,  556,  604; 
University  of,  293 
Geranium,  283,  354,  382-383,  406 
Geranium  gibbosum,  109,  11$;  maeu- 
latum,  109,  116 
Germany,  139,  403 

Gerry.  Elbridge,  3,  476;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  488 

Gherkin,  469,  471,  473,  496.  498.  499. 

503.  516,  523,  599,  606,  607,  610 
Ghtbeba  mellment,  423 
Giannini,  Anthony,  81,  278,  279,  283; 

letter  from  Jefferson,  632 
Gibbon,  Major,  603 
Gibson,  Patrick,  letters  from  Jefferson, 
302,  48a 

Gibson  & Jefferson,  456,  467,  484,  514; 

letter  from  Jefferson,  295 
Giles,  William  B.,  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 235,  248 

Gilliam  (Gillam,  Gillum),  William, 
_34.  38,  *35.  *58 
Gilliflower,  24,  *7;  royal,  635 
Gilmer,  Mr.,  310,  519 
Gilmer,  Mrs.,  310 

Gilmer,  Francis  Walker,  letter  to  Jef- 
ferson, 574 

Gilmer,  Dr.  George,  57;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  178 
Gilmer,  Harmer,  480,  490 
Gilmore,  Robert,  & Co.,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  162 
Ginkgo  biloba,  321 
Ginseng,  645 
Giovannini,  203,  204,  493 
Giroud,  Mr.,  letter  from  Jefferson,  256 
Gladiolus  communis,  488 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  25 
Glaucium,  335 

Gleditsia,  146,  646;  Iriaeanthos,  no, 
1*5.  *50 

Gloucester  County,  Va.,  401,  406,  445 
Gloucester  Court  House,  Va.,  410 
Oodon,  Mr.,  370 
Gold  of  pleasure,  433 
Golden  chain  tree,  449 
Goldenrod,  anise-seed,  303 ; sweet- 
scented,  303 
Goldy-lock,  24-  27 
Gomphfena  globtsa,  8 
Gooch,  W.,  *39 

Goochland  County,  Va.,  27,  37,  252 
Goodman,  Charles,  81 
Goodman,  Mrs.  T.  A.,  466 
Goodman,  Jeremiah,  441,  448,  464-467, 
477.  487-488,  49*-493.  S*7-S*8.  53?" 


Index 


68 1 


540;  letters  from  Jefferson,  4S0,  48,!, 
S*7,  S34.  S3S 

Gooseberry,  4,  ai,  76,  83,  106,  161,  176, 
30S,  3«i,  3«3,  373,  373,  406,  409,  43t, 
45*1  4S3i  43Si  4«4i  4fiSi  474.  476.  480, 
481,  483,  484,  488,  498.  500:  English, 
8J  red,  474,  490J  wild,  138,  645 

Gordon,  Mr.,  367 

Gordon,  Mr.  (millwright),  39,  43 

Gouan,  Dr.,  333 

Gourd,  386;  long,  387,  397;  orange, 
387.  397 

Governor’s  Palace,  Va.,  89 

Grafting,  6,  it,  13,  39,  43,  90,  180,  344, 
433.  434 

Grain,  189,  191,  19a,  198,  199,  202,  236, 
342,  244,  297,  3«i,  609 

Granadillas,  643 

Granaries,  377 

Grand,  Ferdinand,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, tT9 

Grape  blight,  397 

Grape  cultivation  in  South  Carolina, 
597-598 

Grapes,  20,  22,  62,  1x9,  141,  279,  35a, 
43«.  464.  557.  600,  639,  64s ; Abros- 
tine,  333i  Aleatico,  333;  black,  397; 
black  cluster,  333;  bnck-colored, 
333!  Cape,  475,  481;  Caumartin, 
604;  Chasilns,  397;  Chasselas,  333; 
dark  purple,  S97!  fox,  415,  534,  398, 
£02;  Fromignac,  white,  333:  Galet- 
las,  333  j great  July,  333!  Hamburg, 
black,  333;  Lachrima  Chrlsti,  333; 
Malaga,  333;  Mamsnole,  333;  Mat- 
giano,  333;  muscadine,  333,  566, 
598;  muscat,  144;  muscatel,  £02; 
native,  548,  554-555’,  Piedmont 
Malmsey  (Malmesy),  333;  queen’s, 
333;  raisin,  io£,  181;  San  Giovetto, 
333;  scuppernong,  565,  sfifi,  637; 
Seralamanna,  333;  Smyrna,  333; 
summer,  598;  Syrian  purple,  336, 
341  j Tokay,  333;  Trebbiano,  333; 
white,  277;  wine,  423;  winter,  95, 
99,  598 

Grape  vinegar,  95 

Grape  vines,  52-54,  248,  274,  278-279, 
30*,  433,  481,  597,  602,  £t3 

Grass,  17,  2i,  24,  103,  ii£,  147,  155, 
183,  197,  ***,  *43.  *76.  3*0,  35t.  SS®, 
.358,  38s.  63*,  64*!  53,  208, 

4£4;  bent,  187,  208;  blue,  £48; 
couch,  584;  crab,  £48;  Egyptian, 
4IS,  4*2,  4*9,  434!  fiorin,  451.  46^- 
463,  476,  479.  483,  490,  49*.  497,  S03. 
504,  506-507;  goose,  13,  17,  *4,  644; 
greensward,  81,  239,  247,  350,  351, 
487,  648 ; guinea,  489-490.  497.  503. 
508,  513,  592,  6ro|  Irish,  483-484: 


lucerne,  $£0,  £48;  lupinella,  5£i,  5£g, 
S92!  oat,  415,  454,  544:  orchard, 
*94,  *95,  360,  sfia,  57*.  £48;  panic, 
64s;  pepper,  47:  Peruvian,  2£i,  327, 
336,  360,  41s:  ray,  £48;  rye,  440, 
446,  474;  St.  foin  (=  sainfoin),  136, 
*94.  *95.  *98,  208,  211,  2i8,  222,  3£o, 
433,  447,  450,  503,  59*.  648;  scurvy, 
58;  Spanish  St.  foin  (=  sainfoin), 
ti£,  iig,  122,  124,  129;  sulla,  ii5, 
X22,  129,  135,  13S,  592;  sweet- 
scented,  353,  404,  40£,  422,  429,  474; 
timothy,  24,  357,  454,  450,  483,  464, 
46£,  493,  5*7,  546,  648 
Grasshoppers,  190 
Graveyard.  Ser  Burying  ground 
Gray,  Horace,  £18 
Gray,  John,  £18 
Gray,  Lt.  Gov.,  £18 
Gray,  William  F.,  S55,  557 
Gray’s  (Gtey’a)  Garden,  184,  188 
Greece,  587 
Green,  Capt.,  254 
Greenbrier  County,  W.  Va.,  loa 
Green  dressing,  199,  203 
Greenhouses,  178,  322,  323,  353,  383, 
3fi£,  381,  387,  399,  403,  419,  441,  453. 
455,  481,  489,  49*.  562,  620 
Green  Mountain,  Va.,  82,  483 
Greens,  73;  Russia  curled,  71 
Greenspring,  James  City  County,  Va., 
76,  77,  80,  83,  88,  89,  90,  5*4,  5*7 
Greensward.  See  Grass 
Griffin,  Burgess,  487,  482,  493 
Grottoes,  1*2,  1x3 
Ground-nuts,  308,  £48 
Grounds,  Jefferson's  plan  for,  3x8-317, 
3*3-324 

Groves,  at  Monttcello,  177,  261,  409, 
476,  479,  635 
Grubbing,  210,  2X5,  22fi 
Guelder-rose  (gelder  rose),  334,  494 
Guestier,  P.  A.,  384:  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 387,  547 
Guiana,  413 

Guilandina  bonduc,  no,  ii£ 
Guillaume,  M.,  435 
Guinea-pigs,  354 
Guinea  poultry,  37 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  5x5 
Gum,  sweet,  834,  647 
Gum  arable,  399 
Gunpowder,  484 

Gunston  Hall,  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  90 
Gwatkin,  Rev.  Thomas,  35 
Gymnocladus  dioica,  214,  428 
Gypsum,  288 

Hackley,  Mrs.  Harriet  (Randolph), 
385,  396,  4*8 


68i 


Index 


Hagley,  England,  113-114 
Ha-ha  vralU,  113,  533 
Ualesia,  569;  tetrapiera,  no,  ii(! 

Hall,  Mt.,  543 
Hall,  Lt.  Francis,  566 
Hallowell,  Sarah,  584 
Hallowell,  Me.,  573 
Ham,  23,  29 

Hamilton,  William,  337,  344,  399,  40i> 
‘402:  letters  from  Jefferson,  271,  307, 
322,  344,  363,  4>» : letters  to  Jeffer- 
son, 284,  30S1  3>Of  3^3 
Hammocks,  cumpeachy,  378 
Hampton  Court,  England,  in 
Hanover  County,  Va.,  174,  322 
Hardware  River,  Va.,  81,  525,  527 
Hares,  377 
Haricot.  Set  Bean 
Harper’s  Ferry,  W.  Va.,  574 
Harpsichords,  281 
Harris,  Skip,  34,  38 
Harrison,  Mr.,  24^ 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  28,  39,  8r,  452 
Harrison,  Carter  Henry,  23,  29,  8fi,  89 
Harrows,  426 
Hartford.  Conn.,  157 
Harvest  liquor,  41,  4Si  4^i 
Harvests,  46,  244,  246,  35*.  44«i  4S9i 


S02,  sir 

Harvey,  Capt.,  349 
Harvie,  Col.  John,  ! 


Hatters,  507 

Hady,  Aobf  Rene  Just,  529 
Havre,  France,  top,  121, 150,  283,  287, 


a**.  30S1  37*.  S«*.  5*0  , 

Haw,  23,  *7.  3d5.  43*.  55*.  570'. 

<33;  red,  633;  thorn,  446,  387; 
winter,  3(3 

Hawkins,  Benjamin,  395,  397;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  217,  129,  r7d,  248; 
letters  to  Jefferson,  14$,  183,  187 
Hawthorn,  473;  cockspur,  23,  27,  359, 


S46 

Hay,  20t,  202,  246,  3d3 
Hayricks,  343 
Hazel,  33,  27 
Hazelnut,  £43 

Head  of  Elk,  Md.,  187,  304 
Heath,  342 

Hedera  guinguifolia,  646 
Hedges,  308,  314.  3*6.  3*7.  559.  56o. 
633:  cedar,  338;  privet,  sdy;  thorn, 
*99,  3*6,  3*0.  339,  34*.  343,  34»,  353“ 
355,  357,  3<S,  43*-43* 

Hedge  shears,  317,  347 
Hedge-thorn,  American,  299 
Hed})sarum  cortnarium,  ri6 
Helninthu*  annuus,  31;  tuberotus,  400, 

H^otrope,  633 


Hemings,  John,  diC 
Hemlock,  168,  291-293 
Hemp,  rs2,  194,  i9S,  *9*,  *47,  36*,  466, 
479,  493,  503.  5*7,  53*.  539.  59*,  595, 
£41,  £48;  Virginia,  395,  «47:  wild, 

**1erson,  Bennett,  *93-*94 
Henderson,  James,  538 
Henderson’s  Branch,  Va.,  £3 
Hendrick’s  tavern,  3£o 
Henhouses,  at 

Henrico  County,  Va.,  37,  503 
Henry  II,  114 

Henry,  Patrick,  87,  234;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  88 

Hepburn,  Alexander,  309,  329,  344, 
333;  letter  to  Jefferson,  3t9 
Herbemont,  N.,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
£04 

Hermitage,  France,  X19 
Hermitage,  Va.,  18,  2t 
Hessian  fly,  i£3,  189,  e8£,  287,  333, 
457,  43*.  502,  311,  3*5,  535.  S7*-S74, 

59.* 

Htbucus,  10;  eseuleutus,  504;  mor- 
eheutot,  £44;  tyriaeut,  8,  30,  2*4; 
vifgimeus,  £44 
Hickman,  Mr.,  2o£,  270,  ££4 
Hickman,  James,  74 
Hickman,  William,  17,  74 
Hickman’s  field,  ££4 
Hickory,  aoi,  228,  406, -410,  £33;  com- 
mon, £43;  Gloucester,  it£,  334,  401- 
402,  404-403,  407,  417,  443,  449,  433, 
482;  Osage,  334,  473;  pignut,  £33; 
Roanoke,  417,  273;  scaly-bark,  417, 
£33;  645:  shell-bark,  387,  399,  402 
Higginbotham,  David,  348,  399,  £01 
High  Mountain.  See  Patterson  Moun- 
tain 

Hiilegas,  Mr.,  £9 
Hispaniola,  133 
Hoes,  43 

Hogs,  i£,  190,  467,  49a,  333,  339,  539; 
guinea,  339 

Holcut  hucut,  £43 ; strtosus,  £43 
Holland,  139,  43r,  £34 
Hollingsworth,  Jacob,  174,  203,  204; 
letters  from  Jefferson,  i8a,  203,  207 ; 
letters  to  Jefferson,  182,  2o£,  207 
Hollins,  John,  404;  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 407 

Holly,  24,  23,  27,  359,  3£o,  £££;  Ameri- 
can, 31;  English,  31 
Hollyhock,  £,  94 
Holman,  Capt.,  487 
Holt,  Theophilus,  329,  384,  419 
Homespun,  387 

Honeysuckle,  23,  a£,  27,  138,  208,  338; 
monthly,  i£7-i£8;  red-berried,  424; 


Index 


683 


trumpet,  31,  £46;  upright,  646;  wild, 
ii  Si  *Ji  *71  633 

Hop,  *08,  473,  477<  498,  500,  fi4S 
Hope,  Robert,  283 
Hophills,  499 
Hopkins,  Mr.,  112 

Hopkinson,  Francis,  108;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  109,  118,  141;  letter  to  Jef- 
ferson, iiS 
Hop-trefoil,  261 
Hardeum  vulgare,  47S 
Hornbeam,  635 
Horne,  Mr.,  113 

Horner,  Dr.  Gustavus,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 370 
Hornsby,  W.,  93,  99 
Horse-chestnut,  23,  27,  334,  6^61  scar- 
let, aSi ; yellow,  a6i 
Horse-radish,  48,  58,  208,  213 
Horses,  7,  4S,  igo,  194,  199,  202,  204, 
226,  227,  229,  236,  247,  309,  3671  45?. 
467.  S09.  5*fi,  53<.  53S.  S<i 
Horse-shoeing,  books  on,  516  . 

Horticulture,  304,  313,  398 
Horticulturists,  299,  477 
Hosack,  David,  418,  450,  597;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  559,  578 
Hotbeds,  628 
Hothouses,  ip,  453,  620 
Houdetot,  Elisabeth  Fran^oise  Lative, 
Comtesse  d’,  146-147 
Houses,  Negro,  148;  overseer’s,  156, 
182,  206,  209,  224;  stone,  399 
Howell,  David,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
20s 

Hubbard,  James,  467 
Hudson,  Capt.  Christopher,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  547 
Hudson  River,  41a 
Hukman,  Mr.,  637 

Humboldt,  Friedrich  Heinrich  Alex- 
ander, Baron  von,  45s,  530;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  409,  572 
Humvlus  lupulut,  213,  477,  645 
Hungary,  600 
Hunter,  Dr.,  301 
Hunting  lodges,  114 
Huntsville,  Ala.,  503 
Hurricanes,  171 
Husbandry,  217 

Hyacinth,  94,  X17.  337.  35*.  S^?.  ff7. 
455.  4**.  49*.  504.  S«*.  <3<;  “lue, 
635;  double  blue,  335,  489;  double 
pink,  33S  i double  white,  335 ; double 
yellow,  335:  feathered,  y,  9,  94,  489: 
purple,  I,  4.  7;  red,  635 
Hyactnthuf  comesus,  i6a;  monstrotut, 
489;  orientalu,  a,  99 
Hylton,  Daniel  L.,  yi,  61,  239 
£(yIton,  William,  yyi 


Hyssop,  208 

Ilyssopus  officinalis,  214 
Ice,  432,  579,  624 

Ice-houses,  278,  28r,  283,  314,  362,  363, 
400,  426,  43*.  497.  565.  S6d 
Ice-plant,  382,  403,  406 
Ilex  a^iiifolinm,  31,  646;  opaca,  31; 

vomitoria,  30 
Illinois  nut.  See  Pecan 
Illinois  River,  111.,  268,  64s 
Impatiens  balsamina,  8,  489 
India,  347 
Indian  affairs,  174 

Indian  Hall,  Monticello,  313,  331,  351, 
360 

Indian  physic,  644 
Indian  relics,  313,  331,  360 
Indians,  119,  28a,  401,  514,  647;  Creek, 
597;  Mandan,  3x1,  336;  Osage,  401 
Indigo,  648;  bastard,  23,  27 
Industry  (schooner),  254 
Inoculation,  158,  159,  344.  See  also 
Grafting 
Inscriptions,  27 

Insects,  163,  190,  19S,  323,  641 
Instruments,  astronomical,  448 ; me- 
chanical, 414 

Inventions,  agricultural,  538,  561,  569, 
649-654.  See  also  Mouldboard 
Ionic  colonnades,  114 
Ireland,  304,  412,  461-463,  478,  483, 
504-507 

Iris,  24;  dwarf,  i,  3;  dwarf  Persian, 

Ins,  9,  37,  447 ; bteolor,  94,  99 ; crutata, 
3 ; Xiphium,  489 
Iron,  326,  357,  414 
Irrigation,  631 
Isle  de  France,  125,  380 
Italian,  632 
Italians,  203 

Italy,  120,  126-129,  *49,  567,  62a; 
plants  and  seeds  from,  51,  58,  63- 
<4,  75,  77,  *4.  117,  *77,  *97,  30*.  3i7, 
318,  336,  341,  354,  439,  561-562,  568, 

571,  59*,  6*5  ... 

Itea,  109,  1x6;  mrgtmca,  X15,  646 
Ivernois,  Franfois  d’,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 83* 

Ivy,  23,  *7,  30,  634,  646 
Ixm,  353:  chtnensts,  335 
Izard,  Ralph,  163 ; letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 14s;  letters  to  Jefferson,  103, 131 

Jackson,  Capt.,  351 
Jackson,  Gen.  Andrew,  333 
Jamaica,  152-154,  x66 
James  City  County,  Va.,  42 


Index 


James  River,  Va.,  i,  30,  73,  ja,  971  *4®. 

183,  X92i  43X.  503,  533,  573 

Jamestown  weed,  517,  £44 
lane  (schooner),  351 
Japan,  3ax 

Jardin  des  Plantes,  France,  306,  450 
Jardin  du  Roi,  France,  99,  370,  559, 

396 

Jasmine,  23,  37;  Cape,  453,  4S0;  star, 
387,  398,  4x7;  white,  30*;  yellow, 
31,  ii£,  308-309,  423^4,  £46.  Set 
alto  Jessamine 

Jatmiitum,  439 ; officinale,  214,  39* 
Jatropha  urent,  £45 
Jay,  John,  223;  letter  from  Jefferson, 
133 

Jefferson,  Anna  Scott,  3 
Jefferson,  George,  259,  261,  38s,  39£) 
4S£i  4£7i  484,  S14;  letters  from  Jef* 
xerson,  a8£,  395,  409 
Jefferson,  Jane,  2,  3£ 

Jefferson,  Jane  Randolph,  57 
Jefferson,  Jane  (Randolph),  3,  £9 
Jefferson,  J.  Garland,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 43a 
Jefferson,  Lucy,  3 
Jefferson,  Lucy  Elizabeth,  90 
Jefferson,  Lucy  Elizabeth  (second)  94, 
rot,  105 

Jefferson,  Maria.  See  Eppes,  Maria 
(Jefferson) 

Jefferson,  Martha  (sister  of  Jefferson). 

See  Carr,  Martha  (Jefferson) 
Jefferson,  Martha  (Wayles),  20,  35, 
4*,  90,  9£.  14* 

Jefferson,  Mary,  a,  38 
Jefferson,  Peter,  2,  42,  1J9,  393,  449 
Jefferson,  Peter  Field,  3 
Jefferson,  Randolph,  2,  35,  273,  358, 
539 ; letters  from  Jefferson,  X49,  351, 
5o£,  5ir;  letters  to  Jefferson,  350^ 
50s,  5*3.  S*<.  54*  , 

Jefferson,  Mrs.  Randolph,  5x5 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  death,  £11;  debts, 
43£-437i  476.  SOX.  538,  577,  £07,  £ix; 
early  years,  1-2;  epitaph,  44;  Gov- 
ernor, 88;  grandchildren’s  recollec- 
tions of,  636-£37;  health,  212,  227, 
334.  343.  448.  5*0.  55*.  552,  577.  S8o, 
S8x,  583.  S8£,  590,  594.  £«».  Sox,  £07, 
£oS,  £11,  £24,  £i£;  income,  337-338, 

J4«.  395.  405,  4*4.  43*.  447.  S£*; 
journal  of  tour  through  France  and 
Italy,  rao;  law  practice,  7,  ta,  x£, 
30,  345  library,  ro,  437,  Szf,  532,  538, 
54t;  meteorological  records,  94,  258, 
£22-£28;  Minister  to  France^  X05; 
Ifotet  on  tie  State  of  Virginia,  92, 
£44.-£48;  plant  named  for,  X73-173; 
President^  ady,  273,  277,  291,  298; 


retirement,  235,  23d,  338-339,  311, 
333,  330,  345-34£,  359,  361,  370,  373, 
382,  394,  40s,  409.  4rJ,  4*3,  4*7,  4*8, 
432,  4S6-487,  489;  Secretary  of  State, 
148,  157,  *59.  X72,  185,  218;  tour  to 
Amsterdam,  133;  tour  to  gardens  of 
England,  111-114;  Vice-President, 
240,  253,  afifi;  wedding,  35 
Jefferson  River,  Montana,  4S1 
Jeffersonia,  173,  353,  574;  hinata,  173, 
335;  diphylla,  173 

Jeffreys,  George  M.,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 5 £7 
Jeiiye  94 

Jenkins,  Capt.,  133,  134 

Jersey  tea,  33,  37 

Jerusalem  cherry,  389 

Jessamine,  33,  ad,  37,  31;  white,  563; 

yellow,  595.  See  alto  Jasmine 
Johnson,  Mr.,  325 
Johnson,  Rev.  Josiah,  35 
Johnson,  Randolph,  £9 
Johnson,  Judge  William,  422,  439,  430; 
letters  from  Jefferson,  434,  573 ; let- 
ter to  Jefferson,  414 
Johnston,  Charles,  254 


Johnston,  R,,  483 
ones,  Copt,  384,  400 
Jones,  Mr.,  aaS 

Jones,  Allen,  letter  to  Jefferson,  357 
Jones  & Howell,  letter  from  Jefferson, 

Jonquil,  94,  349,  5fi2 
Juboli,  4ifi 
Judas-tree,  £46 

Jnglant,  401-402;  alba,  no,  115,  2x5, 
403,  48a;  alba  eortiee  tguamoto, 
£45;  alba,  fnctu  minore  raneido, 
£45;  alba  minima,  40a;  alba  odo- 
raia,  402;  cdba  ovata,  4w;  amara, 
40a;  eathartica,  402;  einerea,  no, 
11$,  ix£,  403;  compretta,  403:  cyl- 
indriea,  402 ; ficiformit,  402 ; glabra, 
403;  laciniota,  482;  mucronata,  403; 
nigra,  11,  18,  xxo,  1x5,  r50,  284,  288, 
305.  339.  402)  £4,5;  obcordata,  402; 
oblonga,  402;  olivaformit,  402;  pe~ 
can^  119,  339,  402;  poreina,  402; 
regw,  II ; iguamota,  402,  482;  tul- 
eata,  402 ; Umentota,  402,  482 


Jujube,  387,  398 
Julhen,  Honors,  582,  584;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  430,  580 
Juniper,  24,  27,  158,  adt,  £47 
Tunipemt,  345;  virgimana,  31,  150, 
384,  288,  339;  virginiea,  xxo,  305, 
3o£,  £47 

Juno  (ship),  133,  X34 

Jupiter  (Jefferson’s  servant),  97,  *£9 

Jussieu,  Antoine  Laurent  de,  529,  fiii9 


Index 


685 


Kale,  73,  49a,  510;  buda,  403;  Dela- 
ware, 390,  400;  German,  73;  Malta, 
390,  39a,  400,  442,  471,  495,  499; 
Russian,  474;  Scotch,  390,  400;  sea, 
3*8,  406,  407i  44*.  453.  4^9.  47».  473. 
4*0.  537.  5*3.  585.  589.  59*.  594.  59*. 
59*,  599,  603 : sprout,  469,  470,  4*0, 
483.  484.  493.  495.  498,  499.  S°6,  507, 
510,  532,  536,  541,  550,  556,  584.  5<*. 
57«.  5*2,  588,  593,  599,  <06,  610 
Kalllcoccos,  520^ 

Kalmia  angnUifolia,  109,  iifi,  646; 

latifolia,  8,  30,  109,  116,  150,  646 
Karnes  (Kaims),  Lord,  304,  558 
Kaskaskia  River,  111.,  431,  438 
Katydids,  579 
Kennebec  River,  Me.,  628 
Kentucky,  237,  33 «,  401,  405,  406,  423, 
50s.  5<3 

Kentucky  coffee  tree,  188,  308,  310,  361, 
33«.  4*8 
Kerr,  Mr.,  370 
Kerr,  James,  88 
Kew  Gardens,  England,  114 
Key,  John,  loz 
Kifldees,  155 

King,  Nicholas,  letter  to  Jefferson,  335 
King,  Rufus,  262 
King  William  County,  Va.,  10 
Klein,  Jacob  Theodor,  528 
Knox,  Gen.  Henry,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 336 

KoelreuUria  paniculata,  387,  398,  454 
Kosciusko,  Gen.  Thaddeus,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  436 

Laage  (Lange),  Abraham,  583.  584; 

letter  from  Jefferson,  585 
Laborers,  183-184,  196,  300,  376,  464 
Laburnum  (Liburnum),  336 
Laburnum  [Liburnum],  534,  537;  ana- 
gjroides,  449 
Labyrinth,  384 

La  Cfpide,  M.  de,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
, Bon.  3,73  „ 

La  Croix,  Peter  de,  115 
Laetuea  sativa,  8,  58,  399;  tativa  vat. 
anguttaua,  313 ; sativit  var.  eapUata, 
213 ; taiiva  var.  Ungifolia,  313 
Lafayette,  Mme.  de,  339 
Lafayette,  Marie  Joseph  Paul  Roch 
Yves  Gilbert  Motier,  Marquis  de, 
388,  389,  339,  6ix;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 348,  3S0k  3<9.  577.  594.  600, 
foS,  614 

Lagenaria  leucantha,  397 
Lake  George,  N.  Y^  iS7“*S8 
La  Luaerne,  Chevalier  de,  106 
Lamarck,  Jean  Baptiste  Pierre  An- 
toine de  Monet,  Chevalier  de,  306 


Lamb,  Sir  John,  133 
Lambert,  William,  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 440,  448 
Lamotte,  M.,  150 

Lands,  181,  186,  aoi,  203,  317,  218,  235, 
*45.  3*8.  493 
Landscape  painting,  304 
Landscape  planning,  35 
Landscaping,  3*3-3*4.  33*.  3S«>,  35® 
Lange,  Abraham.  See  Laage 
Larch,  479,  £31 
Laria,  475,  476 ; decidua,  479 
Larkspur,  £,  34,  37,  433;  American, 

, 445 

La  Rochefoucauld-Liancourt,  Francois 
Alexandre  Frfdfric,  Due  de,  241- 
*45  . 

Lasteyrie,  C.  P.  de,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 374 

Lathyrus,  4;  laiifolius,  8,  31,  335; 

odoratut,  8,  445,  449 
Latrobe,  Benjamin  H.,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 418 

Laurel,  4,  23,  24,  37,  £33;  dwarf,  £48; 
great,  8;  mountain,  8,  355,  433; 
swamp,  280,  £33,  £48 
Laurodendron,  334 
Laurus,  Missouri,  308 
Laurut  aestivalis,  139,  140;  hentoiu, 
I09,_  115,  it8,  846;  borboma,  £48; 
indica,  £48;  melissaefolium,  314; 
nova,  139,  140;  sassafras,  109,  147, 
150,  384,  388,  £48 
Lavandula  spica,  213 
Lavatera,  353;  olbia,  333;  thuringica, 
335 

Lavender,  208 

Lawns,  114.  389.  37*.  4*9.  449.  549.  5«fi 
Laws,  Virginia,  80 
Lawson,  Capt.,  289 
Leastvses,  England,  113 
Lee,  James,  114-115 
Lee,  William,  83,  339,  348;  letter  to 
Jefferson,  349 

Leek,  308,  4S9,  473,  498,  499 ; common, 
471 ; flag,  471 

Legaux,  Peter,  £3,  377,  278,  481 ; letter 
from  Jefferson,  374 
Leghorn  (Livorno),  Italy,  £2, 309,  443, 
449.  57*.  6*5 

Lego,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  74,  sia, 
338,  339,  29£,  *97,  44X,  484,  470,  533 
Legumes,  £09 

Leiper,  Thomas,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
£08 

Leitch,  James,  480,  588,  Jox,  593.  599 
Lemaire,  Etienne,  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son,’3*6,  4XX 
Lens  esculetsia,  80,  397 


686 


IndbX 


LentiJ,  386,  583,  584,  613:  green,  49, 
60;  large,  523;  small,  49,  60,  523 
Leontodott  taraxacum,  xia 
Lepidmm  sativum,  58,  74 
Leroy  & Bayard,  letter  from  Jefferson, 

S6t 

Leslie,  Robert,  158 

Lettuce,  4,  s.  47i  4*i  56»  SSi  70i  7«.  77, 
83,  209,  228,  442,  46s  469,  473>  474* 
48a,  488,  493,  493,  49^1  49*1  5001  SO<>. 
Si4i  Saji  5J3i  S43.  606,  607,  613,  <3?; 
Berlin,  634;  brown,  6ia,  611;  cab- 
bage, aoS,  213,  399;  cos,  64,  208, 
213;  Dutch  brown,  391,  393,  444, 
47*1  49Si  Saa,  SS«>i  57^1  594.  599.  <01. 
£o£,  610;  endive-leaved,  634;  for- 
ward, 634;  green,  224;  ice,  53,  64, 
388-393,  34*.  550.  5fi4.  5*a,  5*3.  593, 
399,  610,  611  j loaf,  224,  39X,  44a, 

443,  470,  47a,  541  i long-leaved,  208, 
213;  Marseilles,  388,  393;  radish, 
44a ; Roman,  293 ; Silesia,  383 ; sum- 
mer, £34;  tennis  ball,  388-392,  443, 

444.  S*a,  3*3,  399,  w****®,  444. 

47*.  47a,  496.  5*2,  536.  550,  564.  5^5, 
38a,  388,  393,  599,  £10,  £11;  winter, 
364.  <34  „ , 

Levantine  Empire,  118 
Lewis,  Mrs.,  33d,  333 
Lewis,  James,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
37? 

Lewis,  Jane  (Meriwether),  19 
Lewis,  Mary  (Walker),  19,  363,  4a£, 
443,  497 

Lewis,  Meriwether,  281-282,  2B3,  292, 
*94.  307,  309,  3*5,  3a*.  33a,  335-337, 
340,  343-345,  360.  3fi3,  369.  373,  403. 
407,  4>8,  42a,  428,  430,  440,  481,  5x3, 
520,  531,  £37;  letters  from  Jefferson, 
3**,  376 

Lewis,  Nicholas,  i£,  ig,  22,  57,  74,  *7, 
88,  89,  X03,  i3£,  149,  155,  *«.  *<9, 
220,  230,  233,  *37,  293,  3«.  37<,  430, 
<3*.  <33  i letters  from  Jefferson,  1x8, 
1*4,  X30,  X37,  X5t,  152,  X76 
Lewis,  Robert,  19 

Lewis  and  Clark  expedition,  311,  314, 
373,  4**,  4**,  431,  5*0,  5*1,  S3*,  5<», 
<37 

Lewis’s  Ferry,  Va.,  30 
Lewis’s  River,  Idaho,  335 
Lexington,  Ky.,  503 
tiatris  elegans,  303 
Libraries,  agricultural,  587 
Library  of  Congress,  528,  S38,  541 
Liburnum.  See  Laburnum 
Lieb,  Dr.,  407 

Lilac,  4,  23,  27,  t£r,  x£5,  176,  208,  ai6, 
394,  494,  55<,  5<3,  579,  <*71  blue, 
369;  Persian,  32;  white,  3£9 


Lilium,  31;  canadensr,  109,  1x5;  can- 
diduMf  99;  chalcedoniium,  99;  con- 
vallartam,  4o£;  superbum,  481 
Lilly,  Gabriel,  274,  278,  283,  28£,  295, 
*99.  30a,  303,  3*9 

Lily,  5,  »4,  *7,  3*.  337.  455,  474,  Sfi*! 
belladonna,  X17,  447,  49*  i Canada, 
£33;  Columbian,  335,  353;  fiery,  94; 
madonna,  99;  scarlet,  99;  white,  94 
Lily-of-the-valley,  24,  27,  382 
Lime,  34,  36,  371,  £48 
limestone,  23,  29,  34,  3£,  173 
lime  tree,  417 

Limozin,  Anarew,  232,  137,  X40;  let- 
ters from  Jefferson,  i2i,  130,  133, 
*35,  *3fi 

linden,  £38,  £45 
Lindsay,  Mr.,  304,  487 
Linnaeus,  Carolus,  19,  109,  110,  115, 
X17,  172,  27s,  5*7-530,  £19,  £45 
Linnaeus,  Carolus,  fils,  109,^  ii5_ 
Littttm  ttsitatissimum,  89 ; virginianum, 
<47 

Lions,  170 

Liguidambar  styracifiua,  110,  1x5,  £47 
Liquor,  46,  229 

lAriodeadron,  X50,  494;  tulipifera,  ixo, 
*39,  *40,  *47,  »*4,  ***,  305,  339,  <46 
Liverpool,  England,  549 
Livingston,  Edward,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, £16 

Livingston,  Robert  R.,  289 ; letters 
from  Jefferson,  ayx,  3£x 
Livorno,  Italy.  See  Le|'horn 
Lobelia,  353,  £44;  eardinalis,  335 
Locust  (tree),  23,  27,  20x,  377,  579, 
623,  £27,  £38,  £48;  common,  494, 
833;  honey,  559,  £33,  <35,  <4<i  Ken- 
tucky, 422,  494,  55<,  5<3:  prickly, 
588,  £37;  red,  355 ; yellow-flowered, 

X18 

Locusts  (insects),  88 

Logan,  Dr.  George,  187,  x88,  199,  200; 

letter  from  Jefferson,  198 
Log  houses,  357,  378 
Lolium  perenne,  478 
Lomax,  Mrs.  Judith,  524,  527;  letter 
to  Jefferson,  519 

Lomax,  Thomas,  380,  382,  387,  39S, 
421,  428,  475,  478,  527;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  403,  417;  letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 4x6 

Lombardy,  Italy,  X23-X2£ 

Long,  Dr.,  817 

Lonicera,  248,  2x4;  edpigena,  424,  430; 

sempervirens,  32,  848 
Looming,  85 
Looms,  479,  50s 

L'Orient,  France,  209,  222,  288,  *89 
Loudoun  County,  Va.,  286 


Index 


Loughborough,  Lord  xia 

Louisa  County,  Va.,  a,  174 

Louisiana,  281,  515,  53a,  602 

Louisville,  Ky.,  311 

Love,  John,  letter  from  Jefferson,  574; 

letter  to  Jefferson,  573 
Luca,  Italy,  £a 

Lucerne,  21,  103,  194,  195,  198,  aoy- 
209,  217,  222,  aaS,  233,  234,  238,  27fi, 

570 

Lucy  (brig),  305 
Ludwell,  Philip,  83 
Lunaria,  5 ; annua,  9 
Lupine,  645 

Lupinella,  5$i,  568,  571,  592 
Lupinus,  345;  perennu,  645 
Lychnis,  scarlet,  335 
Lychnit,  9,  353;  ehaladanica,  335 
Lycoperdon  tuber,  645 
Lycopersiean  eiculentum,  450 
Lyndi,  Charles,  159 
Lynchburg,  Va.,  539 


McAndrews,  W.,  <12-413 
Macaroni,  349 
Machinery,  mill,  569 
Machines,  agricultural,  348,  430;  rice, 
123-125 ; spinning,  407 ; wheat,  540 
McCaul,  Alex,  letter  from  Jefferson,  25 
McDaniel,  Mr.,  517 
McDowell,  Roger,  Finley  k Patterson, 
letter  from  Jefferson,  304 
McGehee,  William,  56,  65 
McIntosh,  George,  477;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  484 
McKenny,  Mr.,  458 
Maclure,  William,  letter  to  Jefferson, 
276 

McMahon,  Bernard,  314,  336,  35a,  353, 
i6o,  363,  3«8i  3Wi  419.  430.  4SO,  45*. 
4S3.  457.  475.  477.  47*.  4*3.  49*.  503. 
518,  520,  521 ; letters  from  Jefferson, 
3*3.  3**1  337.  343.  344.  373.  3*3.  40i, 
404,  406,  430,  455,  45fi,  479,  490,  504. 
5*3)  5*5.  547;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
3*3.  3**.  3**.  3**.  340,  345.  34^.  37*. 
400,  402,  40<,  409,  417,  45a,  481,  488- 
490,  49*.  50< 

Macon,  Mr.,  257 

McPherson,  Isaac,  letter  from  Jeffer- 


son,  518 

McQueen,  Mr.,  116 
McQuin,  Mr.,  xaa 
McReery,  Mr.,  443,  449 
Madagascar,  125 
Madder,  433,  447.  450|  45*.  45* 
Maddox,  William,  3*7,  338,  378 
Madeira,  33^,  <37 
Madeira  (wine),  39 
.Madison,  Dolly  (Payne),  253,  57* 


687 


Madison,  James,  130,  *33,  135, 157, 171, 
*74.  **5.  *53.  »*7,  307.  3*4.  359.  394, 
476,  301,  507.  544.  57*.  57*.  608,  fi**, 
£37;  letters  from  Jefferson,  135,  143, 
165,  x<£,  1S7-189,  192,  204,  xi£,  219, 
223,  *3*.  *3*.  *34,  *39.  *40.  *49.  *5*. 
234,  256,  30*,  304.  3*9,  3**.  3*5,  347. 
394,  4XX,  4x3,  434,  435,  437,  439,  452, 
459,  4*5,  50*,  505,  5**.  3*5,  5*5,  5** 
Madison,  James,  Sr.,  £26,  £37 
Madison,  Rev.  James,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, xo£ 

Magnolia,  23,  24,  27,  laa,  x£2;  acu- 
minata, 109,  305-3o£,  428,  £4£ ; altit- 
tima,  108;  glaaca,  ix£,  150,  284, 
288,  3fix,  422,  £46;  grandifiora,  31, 
108,  109,  115,  i4£;  tripetala,  4,  8,  |x, 
84,  109,  X50,  284,  428,  £45 ; virgm- 
iana,  .^8 

Magruder’s  Mill,  Va.,  322 
Mahogany,  72,  £21 ; American  bastard, 
110 

Main,  Thomas,  299,  308,  309,  313,  329, 
334.  34*.  355.  35*.  3*5.  3**.  3*6,  397, 
411,  432,  558-5£o,  570;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  431;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
300,  307,  30*,  3*6.  350,  353 
Maine,  573,  586,  £28 
Maize,  367.  543.  6^7 
Majorana  hortenns,  2x3 
Malesherbes,  Chrftien  Guillaume  de 
Lamoignon  de,  letter  from  Jefferson, 

Maletherbta,  208,  213 
Malesherbiaceae,  213 
Mallow,  10,  24,  27 ; eastern,  £ ; Indian, 
£44;  scarlet,  445;  Syrian,  £44 
Malmsey  wine,  39 

Malta,  ix£,  laz,  i3£,  307,  38£,  392,  505, 
59* 

Malus  pumila,^  18, _ 44,  82 
Malva  rotundijolia,  £44 
Malvern  Hilli,  Henrico  Coun^,  Va., 
503 

Mammalia,  530 
Mammoth  bones,  33  x 
Managers.  See  Overseers 
Ma.atee,  530 
Mangel-wurzel,  478 
Mams,  530 

Manners,  Dr.  John,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 528 

Manufactures,  252,  375,  450-45*.  46*, 
476,  479.  50s.  540.  545-546 
Manure,  X91,  i9£,  198,  X99,  203,  58£. 
See  also  Fertilizers 

Maple,  x£fi,  636-,  ash-leaved,  £34; 
dowering,  £27,  £34,  64£;  red,  208, 
394;  sugar,  152,  155,  *57-* 59.  *63- 


688 


iNDiX 


164,  ifi6,  i67-i6g,  173,  i77p  *791 
*61,  375.  4*7.  fi4S 
Maps,  315,  440,  543 
Maracocks,  645 

Marbois,  Francois  de  Barbe,  Maifiuis 

Marigold,  4,  3J7,  3*3;  African,  474 
Marjoram,  zo8 ; sweet,  391 
Mark,  Polly,  396 
Markets,  184 

Marlborough,  Duke  of,  114 
Marlborough,  Sarah,  Duchess  of,  114 
Marmalade,  84 

Marronnler,  306,  453,  480,  319,  375.  d** 
Marsac,  Major,  iia 
Marseilles,  France,  laa,  133,  141,  177, 
387,  296 

Marshall,  Humphry,  309 
Marshmallow,  208;  shrub,  333  j Vir- 
ginia, 644 

Martagon,  63  s;  Alleghany,  417  •, 
Canada,  419 
Martin,  Capt.,  M 
Martin,  Mr.,  258,  362,  373,  376.  5*8 
Martins,  165,  175,  216,  228,  280,  579, 
£37 

Marvel-of-Peru,  to ; sweet-scented,  489 
Mary  (schooner),  404 
Maryland,  t,  3,  184,  462 
Mason,  Mr.,  344 

Mason,  George,  477;  letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 90 

Mason,  Gen.  John,  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 404,  439 ; letter  to  Jefferson,  403 
Mason,  John  Thomson,  474,  477 
Mason,  Stevens  Thomson,  letters  from 
Jefferson,  263,  267 
Mason,  Thomson,  235,  477 
Masons,  Negro,  24s 
Massachusetts,  3 
Mast,  335 

Mathematics,  389,  448,  4£i 
Matkiala  incana,  31 
Matlack,  Timothy,  333;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  343,  333;  letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 340 

Maury,  Mr.,  304 
Maury,  Elizabeth  (Walker),  174 
Maury,  Fontaine,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
586;  letter  to  Jefferson,  585 
Maury,  James,  385;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 330,  353,  486 
Maury,  Rev.  James,  2,  174 
Maury,  Matthew,  171,  374,  385 
Maverick,  Samuel,  3£(i!  letter  from 
Jefferson,  600;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
597,  fio2 
May  apple,  374 
Maycocks,  645 


Mayer,  Christian,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, J30 

Mazzei,  Philip,  32,  36,  38,  61,  £3,  73, 
8x,  8s,  1*3,  *17.  *J«.  ao3,  **5.  *77 
309,  356,  383,  3*8.  J96,  4*0.  463,  53*. 
533:  letters  fiom  Jefferson,  236,  249, 

*74 

Meadow  Bianch,  Va.,  424 
Meadows,  49,  34,  60,  86,  13(1,  441,  463, 

4«6,  47fi.  49*.  596  , 

Mease,  James,  letter  from  Jefferson, 

533  . , 

Mechanical  arts,  133,  304 
Mechanics,  289 
Merhum’s  River,  Va.,  74 
Medals,  Jefferson’s,  333 
Medicago  tativa,  2x4 
Medicine,  275,  349,  371,  398,  467,  480, 
503.  S*»-S*3,  5*8,  584 
Mediterranean,  300,  800 
Mrlio  axedarath,  83 
Melilot,  22X  _ 

Melissa  officinalis,  313 
Melon,  IS4.  *7*.  489,  473.  Soo,  580,  607, 
£39 ; cantaloupe,  34,  £3, 130 ; Chinese, 
389,  39*.  471;  citron,  308;  green, 
2og ; Miami,  3£o,  443 ; musk,  34,  £4. 
XX7, 130,  224,  302,  £48;  Persian,  5£i; 
pineapple,  208 ; Venice,  208 ; winter, 
.307,  39*.  393.  434  , , . 

Melongena,  4£9;  prickly,  471,  473; 

purple,  47*..  473  i white,  471,  473 
Mentha  ptperUa,  2x3 
Mentor  (ship),  407,  408 
Mercei,  John  F.,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
*57  ^ 

Merino  sheep.  See  Sheep 
Meriwether,  Elizabeth  f Lewis),  293 
Meriwether,  Elizabeth  (Thornton),  x8 
Meriwether,  Jane,  X9 
Meriwether,  Margaret  (Douglas),  t8 
Meriwether,  Mildred,  174 
Meriwether,  Nicholas,  x3,  16,  18,  2X, 
34.  £38 

Meriwether,  Thomas,  ig 
Meriwether,  Capt.  William  Douglass, 
*91.  *93.  3*5.  484;  letters  from  Jef- 
fersDHj  354,  43» 

Mertensta  virginica,  a 
Meipilus  yermantcn,  38, 82 ; pyracanta, 
4*3 

Meteorologists,  332 
Meteorology,  331,  378-379 
Meusnier,  Jean  Niraol  de,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  233 

Mewbum,  William,  letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 8X2 

Mexico,  4x3,  £12-613 

Michaux,  Andrf,  11,  207,  282,  306,  379 


Ikdex 


689 


Michaux,  Francois  Andr£,  375,  401, 
40a,  48a,  540;  letters  from  Jefferson, 
jail  4S6 

Microscopes,  301 
Mignonette,  363,  445,  453,  480 
Milan,  Italy,  laa,  133 
Mill  dams,  Jefferson’s,  326,  368,  3£9, 
Ml 

Milledge,  Gov.  John,  291,  293,  351, 
361,  4C^;  letters  from  Jefferson,  390, 
^id,  457;  letter  to  Jefferson,  459 
Miller,  Philip,  16,  19,  58,  no,  116,  140, 

aai,  331,  334,  io6,  37a.  fi4Si  fi47 

Mi  lers,  31a,  33*1  339.  357.  S45 
Miller's  house,  Jefferson’s,  3id 
Millet,  395,  426,  i(3d,  464,  608,  £41; 

p;uinea,  474;  Indian,  ^5 
Mill  houses,  Jefferson’s,  79 
Milligan,  Mr,,  511 
Mill-races,  513 

Mills,  39,  43,  393,  398,  30a,  307,  31a, 
315-316.  33a,  334-335,  327-328,  331, 
33*-339.  34'.  347.  3S4.  356.  358,  360, 
3«a,  364.  371.  373.  37*.  395.  4*4.  4iS. 
4*7.  45*.  477.  5i9.  5*5.  5*7.  5t<9,  59°. 
603 

Millstones,  348 
Millwrights,  39,  204 
Milton,  Va.,  340,  344,  361,  291,  394, 
300,  315,  316,  335,  346.  3*3.  4«S.  4*7. 
f4*.  457.  4*3.  SSS  . 

Mimota,  39(!j  farnmana,  284,  332, 
366;  juhbnsstn,  305^  331,  333,  363, 
366.  379.  3*5!  nUotua,  77,  83,  3**. 
3*»i  399!  fttdtea,  8,  445,  449;  je«e- 
fal,  399 

Mineralogy,  382,  529,  534 
Minerals,  331 
Mines,  Virginia,  644 
Mint,  308 

Mirabilis,  6,  445,  449;  jalapa,  10; 
lotiffifiora,  489 

Mississippi,  361,  375,  401,  533 
Mississippi  River,  368,  292,  333,  513, 
645 

Missouri  River,  381,  385,  293,  309,  315 
Missouri  Territory,  313,  334,  345,  428, 
^95. 

Mitchell,  Mr.,  4.14,  434 
Mitchell,  Mr.  (Bedford  County,  Va.), 
18 

tcbill.  Dr.  Samuel,  343 
Mobby,  9^,  100,  330 
Mockingbirds,  42,  93,  189,  283,  290 
Mock-orange,  335 
Modesty  shrub,  387,  398 
Mogul,  76,  83 
Moluccas,  151,  154, 

Momordiea  balsamina,  439 
Monaco,  64 


Money,  scarcity  in  Virginia,  244 
Monkeys,  69 

Monroe,  James,  315,  385,  311,  554,  563, 
566,  S7^S7^i  letters  from  Jefferson, 
316,  335.  *4*.  *5*.  348.  457.  SSS,  «»* 
Montblanto,  Va,,  369 
Monticello,  Albemarle  County  Va.,  3, 
3,  6,  8,  15,  56,  67,  148,  264,  393,  397, 

307,  35*.  39*.  4*9,  4*7,  433,  S77,  S*3, 
611,  623,  638,  629-631;  British  at, 
93;  building  operations  at,  13-13,  t6, 
*4,  57,  7a-73,  **,  9*.  >**,  173,  *24, 
240-341,  24*.  *49,  *5«,  *59,  360,  373, 
378,  38$,  298,  311,  331,  360,  377,  395 ; 
cisterns  at,  630-631;  description  of, 
183.  395.  566;  description  of  life  at, 
341-345;  naming  of,  11,  17-18 
Montpelier,  France,  333 
Montpelier,  Orange  County,  Va.,  174, 
396.  608 

Moody,  John,  letter  from  Jeffetaon,  378 
Moor  Park,  England,  114 
Moore,  Mr.,  13 

Moore,  Anna  Catherine  (Spotswood), 
10 

Moore,  Col.  Augustine,  10 
Moore,  Bernard,  6.  10,  13 
Moore,  Elizabeth  (Todd),  10 
Moore,  John,  16,  33,  39 
Moore,  Thomas,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
3*5 

Moore’s  Ford,  Va.,  30 
Moorman’s  River,  Va.,  74 
Morea  fiexuosa,  491 
Morgan,  T.,  zS 
Morocco,  Emperor  of,  289 
Morris,  Gouverneur,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 189 

Morris,  Robert,  109,  335,  336,  341 
Mortar,  15,  231 

Morton,  Patrick,  39,  43,  ;r6,  83,  90 
Momi,  98;  alba,  31;  nigra,  31,  44; 

rubra,  31,  163,  645 
Morven,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  601 
Moss,  36,  37,  150,  361,  301,  337,  346, 
480,  484,  555,  56a;  long,  646 
Mouldboards,  333,  333,  240,  363-365, 
*71.  3*5,  3«7,  33*.  37*.  374.  37*.  4J*. 
41*.  43S.  545.  649-654.  See  also 
Ploughs 

Mountain  Plains,  Va,,  50,  61 
Mount  Gallant,  Pa.,  357 
Mount  Vernon,  Va.,  273,  621 
Mourning  bride,  458 
Mousley,  Watt,  39 

Muhlenberg,  Dr.  Henry  E.,  365,  402; 

letter  from  Jefferson,  531 
Mulberry,  33,  *7.  9*.  *»7.  144.  60a, 
635,  648;  American,  409;  English, 
40,  44,  4*9!  European,  494,  563; 


690 


Ikobx 


Otaheit,  547,  637;  paper,  391,  32a, 
334i  34*.  3«3.  366.  424,  494,  S47.  549. 
„5S6.  637:  red,  645 
Mulberry  Row,  at  Monticello,  399,  449 
Mulea,  m8,  246,  314,  326,  562 
MuJeari  ttmosum  var.  monstrotumt  9, 

Muaeuma,  265,  483 

Muahrooms,  £39 

Music,  12,  8a,  88,  103,  303 

Musical  glasses,  35 

Muslcmelon.  Set  Melon 

Mustard,  73,  469,  599;  Durham,  473; 

red,  71;  'white,  208,  224,  536 
Myriea  terifera,  246,  6^6 
Myrtilla,  13 

Myrtle,  candleberry,  646 

Nacogdoches,  Texas,  514 
Nailers,  358,  441 

Nailery,  98,  219,  227,  240,  245,  253, 
*66,  *74.  *83,  302,  357,  358,  382,  414, 
4*7 

Nail-making,  235,  427,  466 

Nance,  Mr.,  356 

Nattej/  (ship),  133 

Nantes,  France,  roy,  305,  339,  520 

Ifafaea  dioica,  £44;  hermaphradita, 

£44 

Naples,  Italy,  £13 
Napoleonic  Wars,  289 
Narcissus,  1,  4,  7.  94,  247,  S6a 
Narcusut  jenqmlla,  2,  99 
Nasturtium,  49,  94,  208,  ££9,  471,  473, 
496,  498,  499.  5*3.  536.  550,  354,  S7£, 
3*a,  5*8,  593,  599,  <06,  £07,  £10,  £14 
National  Garden,  Paris,  378,  379,  383, 
416,  440.  455.  456.  490,  504.  507,  5*3, 
547,  559,  578. 
tfttttenal  InUlltgeacer,  38a 
Natural  Bridge,  Ya.,  339,  393 
Natural  history,  130,  17a,  28s,  289,  301, 
^ 349,  3*0,  515,  5*8-53*,  6x1 
Natural  philosophy,  289 
Necessaries,  at  Poplar  Foreit,  yds. 
See  alto  Cloacina 

Nectarine,  13,  20,  75,  119,  163,  420, 
468;  Kaskaskia  soft,  421;  Roman, 
a£7-i£8;  rose-colore^  3*4 
Negroes,  41,  lya,  134,  182,  204,  2*9, 
222,  239,  *4*.  *44.  *67,  30*,  3*4.  3*8, 
351.  355.  357,  362,  367.  368,  37a,  382, 
383,  Aoo,  413.  414,  487,  3x8,  339,  540, 
£34-  See  alto  Slares 
Negro  houses,  Montieelloj  148 
Nelson,  Mr.,  £03 
Nelson,  Robert,  503 
Nelson  Coun^,  Va.,  tSo 
Neologists,  530 


Newby,  William  P.,  letter  from  JeflFer- 
son,  34£ 

New  Jersey,  341 

New  Kent  County,  Va.,  £* 

New  London,  Va.,  460,  480,  482 
New  Orleans  Batture  Case,  359 
New  Rochelle,  N,  Y.,  398 
Newspapers,  238,  239,  £i£ 

Newton,  Sir  Isaac,  338 
Newton,  Sarah,  428 
New  York,  x,  3,  lax,  148,  137,  139,  169, 
176,  23fi,  247,  *74,  287,  534,  339,  378, 
fi02,  £04 

New  York  Historical  Society,  328 
Nicholas,  Wilson  Cary,  274,  577;  let- 
ters from  Jefferson,  413,  433 
Nicholson,  Robert,  80 
Nicotiana,  £47 

Niemcewicz,  Julien,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 273 ; letter  to  Jefferson,  273 
Nightingales,  42,  236 
Noailles,  M.  de,  300 
Noble,  Mr,,  184 

Norfolk,  Va.,  142,  150,  235,  483 
North  Carolina,  xao,  145,  s£fi,  37a,  398, 
604,  £37 

North  Garden,  Va.,  tot,  toa,  503 
North  River,  Va.,  $0 
Norton,  Dr.  Norborne,  £13 
Noune,  Mr.,  4t3 
Nourse,  Mrs.,  327 
Novarro,  Italy,  122 

Nurseries,  8x,  153,  209,  308,  31s,  313, 
339,  348,  4«*i  43*.  44*.  475.  484! 
Jefferson  s,  78,  83,  235,  *77,  294,  326, 
333,  336,  34*.  355,  385.  386,  388-394, 
4*0,  445-447,  453.  46S,  470.  47*.  494, 
^ 497,  498,  534,  549,  557,  585 
Nurserymen,  240,  189,  179,  478 
Nutmeg  plant,  423 

Nut(B),  348,  420;  black,  313;  Madeira, 
i6j 

Nytta,  X09,  n£;  aguatiea,  xyo 

*5.  4*.  305,  3**1  black,  £47; 
black  jack,  £47;  box,  288;  chestnut, 
*88,  306,  £47;  cork,  xtfi,  xaa,  431, 
453,  480,  491,  SOS,  £*i;  dwarf,  tyo; 
English,  475,  479;  ground,  130,  240, 
ao8,  3*£,  £34,  647;  Indian,  6ai;  live, 
288,  647;  poison,  23,  27,  31  j prickly 
kermes,  333;  red,  140,  £471  white, 
545.  647  j willow,  230,  i3£,  140,  ao8, 
306,  318,  334,  £34,  £47 
Oats,  188,  194,  193,  X98,  228,  244,  238, 
*95,  3X5,  3*8,  319,  3S£,  3££,  378,  394, 
395.  439.  44*.  464,  465,  49“.  5o£,  5**, 
5*3,  5*7,  543.  S4£|  56*.  £4*,  <47! 
potato,  so£;  red,  474;  Scotch,  474  j 
wdd,  £45 


Ikdex 


691 


Obelisks,  iii,  113 

Odit,  Mr.,  letter  from  Jefferson,  338 

Odometers,  Jefferson's,  158,  171,  175 

Ohio  River,  429,  645 

Ohio  Territory,  397,  617-619 

Oil,  351,  3S9-  See  also  Benne  oil; 

Castor  oil;  Olive  oil 
Okra,  389,  443,  469,  473i  49S.  49*.  soo. 
S04,  S3<.  SSO,  5<S4.  S7«i  58*1  5*8.  593. 
S99.  606,  607,  648 
Olea  europaea,  6x 

Olive  oil,  128,  137,  164,  3S9,  361,  363, 
368,  372,  4j6 

Olives,  s*.  77.  *0^1  ***.  **7. 

>31.  *33.  *34.  *3*.  I4»-*4S.  *49,  *5*. 
*S8,  *39,  160,  162-164,  173,  177-181, 
184,  186,  296,  433,  505,  372,  602,  604- 
603 

Onion,  48,  ao8,  387,  4^9.  47*.  473.  49*. 
499,  5**,  593.  ^T<  hanging,  44a, 
562;  Madeira,  73;  Spanish,  4,  8,  47, 
38,  224,  389;  tree,  389.  399;  white, 
58,  613 

Onobrychis  viciaefolia,  214,  430 
Opossums,  136,  530 

Orach,  499,  300,  504,  576,  382,  583,  588, 
593.  599.  8®7. 

Orange,  129,  *52,  *«*,  *70.  354.  375, 
381,  403,  602,  619;  sour,  84,  3S7; 
sweet,  84;  trees,  77-78,  84,  239,  *55- 
*56.  a7fi.  353,  3«9,  379,  4*71  wild, 
534 

Orange  County,  Va.,  171 
Orange  Court  House,  Va.,  7 
Orangeries,  83 

Orchards,  18,  43,  75,  78.  81,  92,  93,  aio, 
211,  226,  326,  327.  34*.  37*.  390,  420- 
432,  468.  473,  476,  574,  636 
Organs,  16,  80 
Ornithorhynchus,  530 
Orr,  William,  102 
Oryfta  muiica,  380;  saliva,  64,  214 
Osage  apple,  363 
Osage  Indians,  334,  40* 

Osnaburg,  219 
Ott,  Dr.,  36s 

Otto,  Charles  Guillaume,  131 
Outbuildings,  98 

Overseers,  40-41,  45-46,  74,  78,  88-89, 
93,  102,  156,  158,  174,  183-184,  *86, 
190-192,  196-197,  203,  204,  205,  ao6, 
*11,  218,  332,  *39,  286,  399,  30*,  309, 
312,  326-3*7,  3*9.  357,  358.  448,  467. 
492,  539,  544,  577,  <01 
Oxen,  202,  467,  561 
Oxford  College,  England,  450 
Oyster  plant,  58 

Pacific  Ocean,  207,  281,  315,  332,  637 
Paddocks,  deer,  525 


Padus  avium,  361 
Paeonia,  99;  albiflora,  33 
Page,  John,  letters  from  Jefferson,  2,  3, 
111,  292 

Page,  Mann,  letter  from  Jefferson,  238 

Page,  William,  239,  247,  267 

Pahlem,  Peter,  Count  von  der,  455 

Painting,  103,  303 

Palaces,  114 

Palermo,  Italy,  615 

Palings,  fence,  377,  383 

Palladio,  Andrea,  113 

Palm,  129 

Palma  Chriati,  224,  361,  447,  450,  644 
Palmipeds,  530 

Pamphlets,  403;  agricultural,  233,  286, 
372;  Jefferson's  catalog  of,  633-662 
Panax  quinquefolium,  645  _ 

Panicum,  303,  643 ; maximum,  503 ; 

miliaceum,  430;  virgtttum,  474,  478 
Pansies  (tricolor),  4,  8 
Pantops,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  246, 
*94,  *97 

Papaver,  9,  429,  478 ; rhoeas,  333 
Papaw,  139,  646;  common,  140 
Paper,  331,  323 

Paris,  France,  104,  289,  305,  573 
Park  Branch,  Montieello,  396 
Parkins,  Mr.,  323 

Parks,  25,  34,  38,  89,  166;  English, 
113 ; at  Montieello,  17,  209 
Paikyns,  Sir  Thomas,  350,  356 
Parsley,  48,  51,  77,  208,  389,  564,  606, 
607,  613,  639;  common,  389;  curled, 
55 : double,  388,  443,  444,  5*3 
Parsnip,  49,  208,  224,  386,  389,  410, 
443,  474,  496,  500,  506,  550,  607,  639, 
648 

Partridges,  27,  235 
Fasque  flower,  34,  27 
Passifiora  incarnata,  645 
Passion  flower,  213 
Pastinaca  saliva,  59 
Pastures,  197-199,  *02 
Patent  law,  545-546 
Patents,  378 
Paths,  210,  215 

Patterson,  Robert,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 363 

Patterson,  William,  305,  339 
Patterson  Mountain  (High  Moun- 
tain), Va.,  80,  84 
Paulina  aurea,  387 
Paullinia,  454 
Pavia,  Italy,  133 
Pavilions,  17,  334,  360,  583 
PaynshUl,  England,  112 
Peace  Commission,  96 
Peaches,  15,  76,  91,  95,  100,  119,  149, 
*63,  *98,  230,  238,  264,  *77,  *95,  5*4, 


Indkx 


692 


318.  35*1  38s.  4*01  435.  44<.  453i  488, 
5*41  547.  S<9.  579.  6*8.  648:  Al- 
berges,  319;  Anvon,  341;  apple,  319; 
autumn,  io£;  black,  291;  blood,  333. 
clearstone,  319;  clingstone,  167-169, 
335.  340.  34*:  freestone,  335,  336. 
34tJ  Gen.  Jackson’s,  333;  green  nut- 
meg, 167,  168;  heath,  497;  lady's 
favorite,  335,  341 ; lemon,  536 ; Mad- 
delena,  277,  279 ; Madeira,  335,  341 ; 
Magdalene,  314,  319,  421,  423; 
Malta,  497;  melon,  277,  420;  Oc- 
tober, 333,  333 : Oldmixon,  335,  340, 
341  j plum,  34,  »o6,  421,  473,  524; 
poppe  de  venere,  277,  279 ; Portugal, 
9*1  353  1 redstone,  Italian,  333;  St. 
James,  319;  soft,  4ar,  475,  497,  3*41 
teat,  3x9;  vaga  lady,  319;  vaga 
loggia,  277,  279,  420 ! vrhite-bloa- 
somed,  ^3 

Peach-apricot,  X19,  3x7 
Peach  trees,  22,  30,  66,  yr,  74,  76,  83, 
94,  98,  144.  *«*.  *75.  **o.  ***.  **8. 
243,  *4*.  *54-*55.  *<7.  *7*.  *8*.  3*5. 
345.  353.  354.  355.  61*.  627 
Peacock,  Mr.,  339 
Peacocki,  27 

Peaks  of  Otter,  Va.,  338,  339 
Peale,  Charles  Willson,  263,  349;  let- 
ters from  Jefferson,  403,  462,  309, 
543.  545  > letters  to  Jefferson,  352, 483 
Peale’s  Museum,  349 
Peanuts,  213,  ai6.  Ser  also  Finders 
Pears,  ly,  82,  106,  1x9,  144,  146,  333, 
336.  420,  422,  425,  453.  454,  468,  473, 
484.  638,  648;  Borre,  168;  Burse, 
x66;  Burser,  341;  English,  73;  for- 
ward, 39.  75:  late,  39.  75 : Meri- 
wether, 638;  Richmond,  336,  340; 
seckel,  336,  yytt,  332;  sugar,  75; 

Peas,  4,  7,  9,  ra,  13,  aa-24,  28,  33,  36, 
40,  4*,  48,  5*.  55-58.  6x,  6s,  67,  yr, 
73.  74.  76.  8*.  90,  *36.  *5*.  *<o,  192- 
20X,  203,  **0.  ***.  **5i  **6.  *18,  aar, 
222,  aa8,  230,  233-233,  24a,  246,  230, 
*5*.  *55.  *S6.  *6*.  *63.  *80*  3*«.  3*7. 
348.  378,  395.  407.  464-^«6.  498.  501, 
5*7.  5*8,  333,  537-539.  S4*-S44.  54<. 
55*.. 565.  579.  585.  594,  6*7.  639.  64*; 
African,  386,  392;  Albany,  247,  230, 
360;  Arkansas,  333,  345,  496,  498, 
500,  336;  black-eyed,  49,  36,  6j,  air, 
224,  410,  424,  43e,  496,  498:  bunch, 
48 1 bush,  58 ; Charlton,  7,  12-14,  43. 
76,  77,  208,  209,  216,  224;  chick,  527, 
582,  589,  6x0 ; cluster,  48,  63;  cow, 
as*.  »S8,  262,  3*5.  358,  366,  37*.  39“. 
4*“:  4*4.  4*6.  473.  53*.  54*!  crouder, 
410;  Dqtch  admiral,  36$  dwarf 


early,  224,  634;  earliest  of  nil,  4; 
early,  12,  39,  40,  47,  49,  66;  ever- 
lasting, 8,  24,  27.  335;  field,  238,  247, 
252,  238,  *6a:  forward,  34,  70,  yr, 
an,  216,  44a,  634;  forwardeit,  4,  3, 

7,  go;  frame,  13,  286,  388,  390,  442, 
469,  470,  475.  495.  498-500.  506,  saa, 
53<.  5S“.  564.  576,  58*.  588,  393.  599. 
606,  607,  610;  garavance,  313,  517, 
3*3.  5*7.  S3*:  garden,  ao,  320;  gray, 
410;  green,  208,  224;  hog,  230;  Hot- 
spur, 13,  5*.  62,  75,  83,  224,  388,  390, 
393,  44*.  469.  470.  473.  495,  499.  5**, 
536,  550,  S«4.  576,  58*.  588,  593.  599, 

606,  607;  Hunter’s,  376,  582;  Indian, 
208,  224,  *5*:  latest,  3;  latter,  33, 
49,  70,  634;  Leadman’s,  388,  391, 
399,  406,  409,  44*.  443.  4«9.  47“.  47*. 
473.  495,  496,  499.  SO®,  306,  3**.  5*3, 
536.  550.  564,  576,  58*.  583;  Leitch’s, 
593.  594.  599.  606;  Lewis’s,  35a,  369, 
373;  long  haricot,  323;  long  pod 
soup,  383;  marly,  634;  marrowfat, 
*3,  36.  39.  40.  43.  47.  5*.  66,  ao8,  286, 
*95.  583,  S88,  589.  593.  594.  599.  606, 

607,  610,  613;  May,  582,  588,  393, 
399.  606,  607,  6io;  Masaei,  53a; 
miodling,  4,  7;  nonesuch,  83;  pearl, 
76.  77.  83;  pearl-eyed,  nan;  Prussian 
blue,  39<^39>  i Ravenscron,  338, 371 ; 
Ravensworth,  360,  366,  390,  400,  424, 
473.  49<.  498.  500,  310,  313;  rouno- 
val,  36;  small  white  table,  613; 
Spanish  Morotto,  ta,  14,  36;  split, 
247;  sweet,  8,  4^5;  Tom  Thumb,  38; 
white,  246;  white  boiling,  247,  230; 
white-eyed,  224;  wild,  ao8,  643 

Pecan  (paccan),  108,  109,  118-1x9,  *50. 
*55.  *63,  *66,  208,  210,  213,  268,  270, 
*7*.  *75.  *77.  *79.  3*8,  334.  337.  354, 
355.  378,  4*7.  4*9.  468,  475.  643 
Pelham,  Lady  Prances,  iis 
Pelham,  Peter,  x6 
Pendleton,  Edmund,  80 
Penn,  Gov.  John,  423,  429,  534 
Penn,  William,  429 
Pennsylvania,  1,  3,  199 
Peniapetet  fkoentcia,  445,  449 
Peony,  24,  27,  94 

Pepper,  62,  490,  527;  cayenne,  4,  32; 

Urge,  6rs 
Pepper  grass,  47 
Perfume,  84 
Periwinkle,  24,  27,  208 
Perry,  John,  296,  298,  3*7.  3*8,  34*. 

355.  358 
Persia,  560 

Persimmon,  X40,  633,  643 
Persoon,  Christian  Hendrik,  330,  541 
Petersburg,  Va.,  14  ^ 


Index 


693 


Peters,  Lord,  X12 

Peter's  Mountain,  Va.,  487 

Peters,  Judge  Richard,  203 

Petit,  Adrien,  105,  119,  x3a,  147,  158 

Petit,  Hugh,  212,  ,225,  228,  239,  24$, 

Pe^?fe  , Mr.,  141 

Pttroselinum  hortense,  58;  kortense 
var.  crisfum,  64 

Peyton,  Capt.  Bernard,  578,  587,  597, 
598,  6or,  603,  609,  £it,  612,  6t6,  &18: 
letters  from  Jeiferson,  578,  591,  596, 
614;  letters  to  Jefiferson,  604,  6t$,  <t4 
Peyton,  Craven,  270,  272 
Phaetons,  171,  173 
Pharmacopeia,  64 

Phasealus  coccineus,  478 ; limentit, 
2t2;  rufus,  424;  vulgaru,  38 
Pheasants,  27 

Philadelphia,  Fa.,  a8,  6-j,  96,  lot,  X58, 
163,  i72-t76,  186,  t97,  204,  2t9,  233, 
353,  *S5i  *59.  a<9.  **7.  30*.  34*.  34<. 
349.  5*0,  60a 

Phtladelphus  eoronartus,  335 
Phytalis,  3531  alkehtngi,  333 
Phytolacca  decandra,  no,  646 
Pianofoite,  88 
Pichon,  M.,  289 
Pickles,  514 

Fierrelatte,  France,  128 
Pierson,  Rev.  Hamilton  W.,  312 
Pigeons,  27,  367 
Pigs.  243.  »4fi 
Pimento,  wild,  £46 
Pimpernel,  48,  58 

Pinckney,  Charles  Cotesworth.  178, 181, 
188,  204,  250,  269;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, t79,  590;  letter  to  Jefferson, 
179 

Finders  (peendars),  208,  2ri,  2x3 
Pine,  228,  377,  456,  S4s:  black,  140, 
647;  nutberry,  117;  pitch,  140,  158, 
355.  %7i  Scotch,  261;  spruce,  xj8, 
647;  Weymouth,  292,  334;  whjte, 
*57.  158.  *<6.  *9*.  *93.  *47!  yellow, 
<47 

Pinks,  5,  6,  94.  35*.  382.  484.  <35! 
arno,  1x7 ; China,  335,  49a,  504; 
Indian,  4 

Pinus  balsamea,  xxo,  1x5;  canadensis, 
647;  foliis  singularihus,  647!  talus- 
iris,  X39;  picea,  X39,  X40;  stroHs, 
166,  293,  547;  iaeda,  647;  virginica, 
<47 

Piraeus,  Va^  X59 

Pisa,  Italy,  277,  279 

Pistachio,  X35,  X38,  14X,  *44 

Piswn  satveum,  7,  3<.  43.  58.  83; 

sativum  var.  rUacrocarpon,  62 
Pitt,  William,  XX3 


Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  X09 
Plane  tree,  197,  475,  47*.  479.  <4* 
Plantations,  Jefferson's.  See  Bear 
Creek:  Elk  Hill;  Lego;  Monticello; 
Poplar  Forest;  Shadoaell;  Toma- 
hawk; Tufton 
Planting  diary,  330 
Planting  plans,  18,  3x2,  331,  469-477 
Plants,  preservation  of,  41  r ; Virginia, 
Jefferson's  catalog  of,  644-648 
Plaster,  286,  54X,  545 
Plaster  of  Paris,  $86 
Platanus,  479;  occidentalis,  146,  305, 
306,  646 

Playhouse,  i2,  x6,  24,  35 
Pleasants,  Thomas,  231 
Pleasure  gardens,  4x1 
Pleurisy  root,  645 

Pliny  (Caius  Flinius  Seeundus,  the 
Elder),  530 

Ploughing,  67,  199.  **<•  ***.  *3*.  35<. 
43*.  509.  543.  5«-5<8.  570-57*.  <49- 

654 

Ploughs,  106,  202,  227,  240,  348,  362, 
370,  37*.  374.  37<.  407,  4*9.  4*<.  435. 

509.  545.  5<*.  S<9.  <49-<54:  Guil- 
laume's, 433;  Martin's  drill,  518; 
Tull's,  189.  See  also  Mouldboards 
Plum-peaches,  34,  38 
Plums,  75,  X06,  *49.  *<3.  3*7.  3«S.  4*o, 
422,  468,  648;  blue,  422;  Brignole, 
167,  x68’,  Brugnol,  144;  Cherokee, 
475.  <45  i Cooper’s,  34X ; Damascene, 
75  i Florida,  524,  527;  green,  76! 
green  gage,  39,  43,  83,  341;  horse, 
75,  82 ; magnum  bonum,  75,  82,  425 ; 
roirrable,  319;  mogul,  76;  muscle,  4, 
8;  purple,  34X;  queens,  319;  red, 
632;  white,  632;  wild,  295,  34X,  633, 
645 ; yellow,  632 

Podophyllum  diphyllum,  172 ; peliaium, 
S74 

Poetry,  303 
Poindexter,  Mr.,  489 
Poison  oak,  23,  27 
Poisons,  5*7 

Poivre,  Pierre,  Governor,  **5 
Poke,  633,  646 
Polianthes  tuberosa,  335 
Politics,  185,  189,  205,  2x7,  226,  232, 
*35.  256,  240,  *59,  269,  288,  3x0,  330, 
35*.  394.  408,  4»<.  45*.  48< 
Polyanthus,  481 
Polygala  senega,  275,  645 
Polygonum  sagittatum,  644;  iartaricum, 
474 

Pomegranate,  is,  *8.  *2,  28,  129,  ao8, 
648;  bantam,  20 
Pond,  William,  57 
Ponds  at  Monticello,  631 


Index 


694 


Pope,  Alexander,  in 
Fopinac,  414,  443,  434 
Poplar,  140,  aSo,  377,  634,  646;  Athe- 
nian, 465,  494,  563,  583 ; balsam,  166, 
168,  ao8,  209,  2£i,  287,  408,  494,  55<>i 
387;  black,  140,  646;  common,  140; 
Lombardy,  208,  209,  320,  465,  494, 
585,  637-638;  tacamahac,  334,  342 
Poplar  Forest,  Bedford  County,  Va., 
4*1  9*.  94i  95.  97.  *46,  270,  298,  31*. 
3ia.  3St,  358.  359.  396,  428,  446,  44*, 
449,  460-461,  464-467,  477,  480,  482, 
48s,  487-489,  494,  497.  50t,  50*.  5o8, 
S17,  518,  5*6,  534,  S3S.  539.  549,  SSI- 
553.  555,  563,  566,  S74,  577,  5*4,  585. 
587,  590,  594,  595.  6oi,  608 
Poppy,  6,  34,  27,  423 ; double,  33s,  353  i 
oil.  433  i prickly,  10;  white,  474; 
yellow  horned^  335,  333 
Papulus  balsamtfera,  146,  166;  eordi- 
folia,  139;  deltoides,  309;  heiero- 
phylla,  no,  115,  116,  139,  140,  646; 
nigra,  646;  nigra  var.  tttdica,  214; 
taeamahacca,  214;  tremula,  79,  84, 
6a6 

Fork,  23,  29.  183 

Porpre  (Poivre,  Pierre?)  de,  380. 

See ’alto  Poivre,  Pierre 
Fortobago,  Caroline  County,  Va.,  398 
Port  Royal,  Va.,  637 
Portugal,  491,  soa,  521 
Potatoes,  183,  190,  193-193,  197,  199, 
201,  203,  206,  216-218,  22X,  222,  230, 
235,  *42,  246,  262,  31S,  362,  390,  411, 
5*3.  532,  548.  550.  569,  570,  641,  648; 
early,  473,  498,  499;  forward,  496, 
576,  607 ; Indian,  208,  213 ; Irish,  33, 
37,  7*.  208,  3*7,  358,  366,  371,  41*, 
639;  long,  645;  round,  360,  647; 
seed,  36;  Bweet,  100,  130,  178,  219, 
360,  634 

Potato-pumpkin,  154,  aoS 
Potomac  River,  189,  37a,  548,  554 
Pots,  .596,  598,  ,603  t 

Potter,  Thomas,  89 
Potteries,  Richmond,  596 
Pouncey’i  Mill,  Va,,  405 
Pmphatan,  James  City  County,  Va.,  42 
Prairies,  490 
PreBtis,  Joseph,  89 
Presidency,  expenses  of,  337 
Presidents,  476 
Price,  Joseph,  loa 
Price,  Richpd,  442,  443,  448 
Prices,  agricultural,  251,  252,  259 
Pride  of  China  tree,  76,  79,  84,  261, 
}6g,  633 

Pride  or  India  tree,  398 
Primrose,  24,  27,  167,  168,  6n;  yel- 
low-flowered, 8 


Primula  auricula,  8;  vulgaris,  32 
Prince,  William,  159,  166-169,  215 
Prince’s  feather,  4,  5 
Princeton  College,  N.  J.,  429 
Prinus  verticillatus,  365 
Prisoners,  war,  87-88 
Privateering,  455.  S21 
Privet,  367,  474,  500,  563 
Privies.  See  Cloacina 
Provence,  France,  128 
Prune,  76;  de  Reine  Cloude,  334 
Pruuus  armeniaca,  18 ; cerasus,  30,  43, 
82,  communis,  8,  18,  58,  61; 
coronaria,  150;  domeslica,  43,  82, 
83;  geniculata,  ^27 persica,  18; 
persica  var.  nuapertiea,  18;  sero- 
tina,  31 ; sylyestris  fructu  tnajori, 
64s;  sylvestrh  fructu  minori,  643; 
trUoba,  214;  virginiana,  31,  no,  162, 

645 

Ptelea  pinnata,  no,  116;  trifohata, 
no,  1x5,  n6,  146 
Publications,  agricultural,  641-642 
Puckoon.  See  Blood  root 
Puebla,  Province  of,  Mexico,  613 
Pulse,  222,  276 
Pumpion,  224 

Pumpkin,  154,  194,  195,  198,  247.  *74. 
30a,  360,  466,  531,  53a,  546,  596,  61s, 
647,  648;  black,  54,  64;  long,  386, 
397;  potato,  aoS,  225,  390,  609;  solid, 
386,  397;  sweet  potato,  400;  white, 
54;  84 

Pumca  granalum,  x8 
Puppet  shows,  16 
Pursh,  Frederick,  4x8,  431 
Pyracantha  coceinea,  430 
Pyracanthus,  475.  47®.  559 
Pyramids,  Egyptian,  1x2 
Pyrus  communis,  x8,  82 ; coronaria,  84, 
306,  64s 

Quarles,  Col.,  237 

Quarles,  Robert,  letter  from  Jeilctaon, 
4*5 

Quarries,  68 
Quebec,  Canada,  557 
Quercut  alba,  288,  305,  339,  647; 
agaatica,  647;  tocafera,  333;  Aii- 
panica,  288;  ilicifolia,  2x4;  mon- 
tautts,  306 ; nigra,  647 ; palustris, 
305,  S06,  339;  pkellot,  109,  n6,  136, 
X39,  140,  ISO,  2x4,  288,  305,  3oS.  339, 
647  ;_pn#UJ,  288,  30s,  306.  339,  647; 
pumda,  150,  647;  robur,  479;  rubra, 
288,  306,  647;  rubra  dissecta,  306, 
339;  rubra  maxima,  X39,  lyo;  rubra 
nana,  139,  140;  rubra  ramositsima, 
139,  140;  virginiana,  no,  n6,  647 
Quince,  X5,  75.  95,  336,  425,  468,  648  . 


Index 


695 


Rabbits,  vj 

Radford,  William,  535,  587 
Radish,  5,  47,  49,  51.  70,  71,  76,  ao8, 
209,  388,  39Ji  4J3i  444i  473,  473, 

49s,  49fi.  499i  S«>i  506,  sa3i  5*3.  S3«. 
SSO,  364.  S83,  383.  388,  593,  606,  607, 
<>i3i  ^34)  ^39!  black,  471;  common, 
397;  English  scarlet,  224;  leather 
coal,  6to;  oil,  386,  391,  397.  4331 
rose,  £34;  salmon,  49,  £0;  scarlet, 
33.  232.  293,  388,  389.  392.  393.  443. 
470-472,  SSO,  5£4;  summer,  390-392, 
W3.  472!  violet,  534;  white,  £34 
Rannesque,  Constantine  Samuel,  letter 
from  Jefferson,  £04 
Ragged  Branch,  Va.,  39£ 

Rails,  fence,  17 

Rain,  70,  ai£,  219,  238,  323,  347.  3S8, 
390,  427,  43a,  458,  483,  sat,  533,  SSO, 
35*.  587.  S8fi,  587.  <04 
Rainfall,  579;  Jefferson's  records  of, 
£a^-£a£ 

Raisins,  53,  135,  138,  141,  144;  Par- 
mesan, 349;  Smyrna,  137,  349;  Span- 
ish, S3 

Raleigh,  Sir  Walter,  41a,  $66 
Ramsay,  Dr.  David,  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 108,  117-118 
Randall,  Henry  S.,  97;  letters  to,  $38, 

£35 

Randolph,  Anne  Cary.  See  Bankhead, 
Anne  (Randolph) 

Randolph,  Benjamin,  sot 
Randolph,  Cornelia  J.,  S74 
Randolph,  David,  203 
Randolph,  Ellen,  333,  38a,  419,  429, 
S74 ; letters  from  Jefferson,  303,  341, 
379.  4°5i  letters  to  Jefferson,  3 £9, 


379.  381,  404 
Randolph,  Jane,  a 
Randolph,  Jane  (Bolling),  37 
Randolph,  Lewis,  501 
Randolph,  Martha  (Jefferson),  35,  3£, 
80,  loi,  tos-xos,  r2o,  148,  149,  2X1, 
223,  2*7.  »4S.  357.  2*9.  29s,  300,  349. 
4«fi.  535,  552.  553.  55fi.  574.  S84.  59*. 
S9£,  £12;  letters  from  Jefferson,  155, 


xs7,  x£o,  i£x,  17s,  i7<!,  *78,  t8£,  X87- 
189,  198,  198,  3S3,  3SS,  258,  2£o,  284, 
399,  3**.  3*7,  354,  378,  533.  547,  S<*, 
374;  letters  to  Jefferson,  t£x,  177, 
178,  284,  sfi*.  587 

Randolph,  Richard,  37,  49,  £0,  591,  600, 
fioi ; letter  from  Jefferson,  £03 ; let- 
ter to  Jefferson,  fos 
Randolph,  Ryland,  34,  37,  40,  86,  89 
Randolph,  Thomas  Jefferson,  349,  41X, 
4*9,  5*9.  54«,  55»,  553,  559, .577,  5*7, 
59*.  595.  8o8,  £13;  letter  from  Jef- 
,ferson,  4x1;  tetter  of,  538 


Randolph,  Thomas  Mann,  Jr.,  148,  149, 
atx,  afio,  287,  289,  287,  325,  329,  338, 
357,  358,  387.  37*,  387,  39*,  39«,  398, 
400,  4*0,  43a,  435.  458,  477,  50*.  io6, 
509,  s»fi,  532,  543,  553.  559.  587-588, 
570-571,  588,  591,  £13,  £14;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  150,  *53-155,  *58, 
i£i,  183,  189,  175,  *78,  187,  x88,  190, 
194,  198,  202,  204,  2o£,  2x9,  223,  231, 
232,  237,  24",  247^49,  252,  254,  259- 
a£x,  270,  273.  274,  30a,  303,  384,  373, 
380,  405,  519;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
*82,  x££,  X7fi,  178,  X90,  *97,  200,  203 
Randolph,  Thomas  Mann,  Sr.,  58,  398 
Randolph,  Virginia,  419;  letter  of,  £04 
Randolph,  Col.  William,  i,  58 
Randolph,  William  B.,  483 
Randolph  family,  273,  394,  428 
Rankin,  Christopher,  430 
Rankin,  Mrs.  Julia  (Strieker),  430 
Ranunculus,  352 ; double,  335,  453,  480, 
489;  red,  £35 

Ranunculus,  94,  xiv,  337,  369,  455; 

repens  var.  plemfiortts,  99 
Rape,  55,  237,  380,  387;  green,  224 
Raphanus  olifer,  397 ; sattvus,  9,  58,  £0, 
64,  397 

Rappahannock  River,  Va.,  375,  558 
Raspberry,  at,  sx,  78,  94,  284,  348,  443, 
4^5,  474.  475.  4*8,  49*,  5“*,  537,  <39! 
Antwerp,  a£i,  336,  337,  34»,  345,  346, 
388,  489;  black,  83,  845;  common, 
445;  monthly,  408,  445,  454;  moun- 
tain, 593,  59<i  *ed,  83 
Rattan,  305 

Rattlesnake-root,  Seneca,  845 
Rattlesnakes,  ^7 

Ravensvnrth,  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  400 
Ray,  John,  528 
Reapers,  228-229 
Red-birds,  138 

Redbud,  23,  27, 165,  334,  494,  579,  827, 
648 

Reibelt,  J.  P.,  387;  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 305,  350.  35S 
Religion,  freedom  of,  543 
Religious  freedom.  Statute  for,  44 
Remsen,  Henry,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
2x9 

Reptiles,  641 

Republican  (Democratic)  party,  3x0 
Republicanism,  235 
Reseda,  835 odoraia,  445,  449 
Resely,  Sir  Gore,  580 
Revolutionary  War,  57,  59,  <3,  87,  88, 


90.  9»,  293,  530 
Reynolds,  Mr.,  89 
Rhetoric,  303 

Rheum  rhaponiicum,  398;  mdulatum. 


385 


696 


Index 


Rhododendron,  Canada,  146 
Rhododendron,  167,  169,  421;  cataw- 
biense,  42$ ; maximum,  8,  30,  109, 
ii£,  a£i,  428,  £46;  nudifiorum,  3,  9, 
30 

Rhone  River,  France,  128 
Rhubard,  esculent,  383,  443 
Rhus,  £46;  eopalltnum,  no,  ii£,  glab~ 
rum,  no;  toxicodendron,  31 
Ribes  grossularia,  8,  83,  £45;  nigrum, 
83;  edot  atissima,  474,  475,  481; 
ruhrum,  83 
Rice,  William,  80 

Rice,  54,  io£,  117,  118,  iac>-ia£,  128, 
129,  131,  132, 141,  149,  158,  159,  173, 
375i  4i£i  5I4i  Mi  bearded, 
460;  Carolina,  118,  124-125;  dry, 
120,  I2£,  134,  142-145,  151,  208; 
Egyptian.  132,  134,  tSSi  *38;  high- 
land, 151;  mountain,  153,  154,  t£3, 
165;  Piedmont,  118,  I23-I2£,  131, 
134;  rough,  132-133;  swamp,  381; 
upland,  154,  164,  i£6,  380,  381,  424, 
43°.  505  i wet,  120,  144,  i£4;  yellow, 
l£fi 

Richardson,  Mr,,  451 
Richaidaon,  Richatd,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 271 

Richmond,  Va.,  7,  14,  £7,  72,  90,  gfi, 
101,  149,  150,  159.  ao7i  *3*.  ass.  *95. 
307.  308,  372,  396,  480,  48a,  484,  S43. 
569,  fiio 

Rictnus,  £44;  communis,  450 
Rickman,  Di,  William,  22,  28 
Riedesel,  Gen.  August  Frederick,  £3, 
88 

Riedesel,  Fredericks,  88 
Rieux.  See  Derieux 
Rittenhouae,  David,  240,  263;  letter 
from  Jefferson,  165 

Rivanna  River,  Va.,  2,  23,  29-30,  42, 
57.  78,  84,  93,  IS9.  aafi.  29*.  *93.  »94. 
298,  314-316,  3**.  3S6,  360,  368,  39fi, 
4*7.  S04.  S19,  5**,  5*S.  5*7 
Rivanna  River  Canol,  273,  274,  326, 
.357 

Riverfield,  Monticello,  227 
Rivera,  30,  70,  27s,  4S7i  transportation 
on,  29^,  4£7,  543 
Road-building,  37,  239 
Roads,  29,  38,  67,  78,  79,  84,  148,  156, 
*70,  *97.  307,  3*0,  314.  3*3-3*6,  336, 
463M4,  49a-493,  535,  S66 
Roanoke  Island,  N.  C.,  5££ 

Roanoke  River,  334,  337.  375.  40*.  4*5. 

4D£ 

Robertson  (Robinson),  Mr>,  237 
Robertson  (Robinson),  Archibald,  467, 
$40;  letter  from  Jefferson,  $44 


Robespierre,  Maximilien  Maiie  Isi- 
dore, 517 

Robiuia,  34*.  353.  3551  hispida,  334, 
563.  s68,  637;  pseudoacacia,  31,  110, 
115,  64fi 

Robins,  i£o,  627 
Robinson,  Gov.  John,  iSfi 
Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  488,  503 
Rockfish  Gap,  581 
Rodney,  Caesar,  596 
Rogers,  Capt.,  £2 
Rogers,  Mr.,  206 
Romarzewski,  Mr.,  440 
Ronaldeon,  James,  472,  474-477,  484, 
495.  496,  499,  5*3 ; letters  fiom  Jef- 
ferson, 121,  490,  505;  letteis  to  Jef- 
ferson, 433,  491 

Roots,  methods  of  shipping,  117 
Rosa,  30,  99 ; eglanteria,  30 ; laevigata, 
293;  mundi,  167-16%,  rttbtgtnosa,iO] 
sylvestris,  305 

Rose,  5,  23,  27,  ao8,  283,  379,  464,  488, 
563.  635;  Cheiokec,  291;  cinnamon, 
t£7,  168;  damask,  167;  dwarf,  94, 
99.  S<>3!  guelder  (gcltlci),  ifis,  208, 
209,  334.  494,  563;  monthly,  idy, 
i£8;  moss,  167,  i£8;  musk,  167,  x£8; 
Provence,  167,  168;  swect-biiar,  23, 
27!  thoinless,  167,  ifiS;  while,  i£8; 
wild,  280,  288;  yellow,  167,  168 
Rosemary,  208 
Rose-of-Shaion,  8 

Roseooell,  Gloucestci  County,  Va.,  12 
Rosmaiinns  offidnaln,  214 
Rotation  of  crops,  191-203,  230,  237, 
262,  512,  £41 
Rotch,  Mr.,  137 
Rotundas,  113 

Roundabouts,  50,  60,  94,  98,  148,  149, 
171,  174,  17s,  *77,  178,  *09,  Z15,  358. 
360,  399,  533.  63s 

Roundabout  Walks,  78,  84,  429,  449, 
477 

Rous,  Mr.,  1 14 
Roving  machines,  $46 
Rowland,  Zacharia,  72 
Rubber  treej  Indian,  £21 
Rubus  caestus,  £46 ; canadensis,  14s ; 
chamaemorus,  £46;  fruticosus  £46; 
idaeiis,  83,  449;  occidentalis,  83,  £4£ 
Rue,  208 

Rumex  acciosa,  58,  399;  scutatus,  2x3 
Rush,  Dr.  Benjamin,  501,  503;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  271,  285,  4S0 
Rata  graveolens,  214 
Rutabaga,  236-237 

Rutledge,  Edward,  125;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  124,  *45.  *39.  *5*.  *S6! 
letter  to  Jefferson,  255 
Rutledge,  Gov.  John,  138 


Index 


697 


Rutledge,  John,  Jr.,  13S;  letter  from 
Jefferson,  134 

RySf  SSr  1831  J8+i  *90i  »9»->95.  *97. 
199,  201,  2i8,  221,  229,  230,  23J,  237, 
244,  246,  250,  267,  272,  286,  S19,  641, 
647 ; mammoth,  456 ; spring,  406, 
419.  433 

Sabine  River,  Texas,  515 
Saffron,  337 
Sage,  208 

St.  foin  (=  sainfoin).  See  Grass,  St. 
foin 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  309,  3tx 
St.  Simon’s  Island,  Ga.,  296 
Salad  dressing,  351,  361,  368,  436 
Salads,  raw,  500 
Salht,  647 ; babylonica,  214 
Sally^  (sloop),  261 

Salsify  (saisaiia),  47,  58,  75,  208,  224, 
369.  373.  3*6.  390,  410,  44a,  469,  47*. 
473.  493.  496.  498-500.  S06,  saa.  5*5. 
536.  550.  5<4.  576,  582,  588,  593.  599. 
606,  607,  610,  639;  black,  478;  Co- 
lumbian, 390,  440,  471;  common, 
471;  Missouri,  334,  361 
Sdvia  ogieinalis,  ai^ 

Sambucus  canadensis,  31;  nifra,  646; 
racemesa,  31 

San  (St.)  Antonio,  Texas,  514,  515 
Sand,  371 

Sandy  Point,  Va.,  39,  4a,  43  _ 
Sanguinaria,  iy2\  canadensis,  2 
Sangaisorba  minor,  83,  2x4,  449 
Santa  Ff,  N.  M.,  515 
Saponaria  eentaitriam,  645;  villosa, 
645 

Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  87 
Sassafras,  147,  aoi,  2B0,  285,  634,  64S 
Savory,  405;  green  curled,  596;  sura- 
S9».'  winter,  591 
Savoy.  See  Cabbage 
Sawmills,  525,  527,  538,  5i6 
Sawyers  (insects),  579,  <28 
Say,  Dr.  Benjamin,  3^9,  380 
Say,  Dr.  Jean  Baptiste  Lfon,  letter 
from  Jefferson,  542 
Scallion,  469,  470,  498,  500 
Scarcity  root,  474 
Schools,  I,  2 

Schuylkill  River,  Pa.,  323 
Science,  282,  289,  290,  380,  394, 409, 427 
Scorsonera  hispanica,  474,  478 
Scotland,  62,  474.  476.  506 
Sculpture,  >05,  303 
Scurvy  grass,  48,  58 
Si^hes,  198,  202,  229 
Sea  kale.  See  Kale,  sea 
Secretary's  Ford,  Va.,  65,  156,  159-160, 
.339,  337.  44*.  633 


Secretary's  Mill,  Va.,  159 
Secretary's  Mountain,  Va.,  159 
Seed  beds,  47-49 
Seed  boxes,  233 
Seed  houses,  478 

Seeds,  13,  52,  62,  108,  121-122,  134, 
137,  227,  233,  234,  259,  300,  328,  411, 
417,  418,  63s 

Seedsmen,  299,  450,  596,  613,  614 
Seed  sowing,  machines  for,  430 
Seine  River,  France,  288,  289 
Seneca  root,  275 

Senna,  644;  bladder,  1x8;  scorpion,  23, 

*7. . 

Sensitive  plants,  4,  117,  445 
Serra,  Correa  da.  See  Correa  da  Serra 
Serres,  Olivier  de  (Seigneur  de  Pra- 
del),  567 
Servants,  633 

Sesamum,  360-362,  369,  376,  572 
Sesamum  oil,  368 

Sesamum  orientale,  397;  irifolialum. 


371..  373 

Shackleford,  Thomas,  176,  177 
Shad,  26a,  265,  485.  513,  S13.  627 
Sbadwell,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  i,  2, 
7,  8,  12,  20,  78,  t59,  ao6,  228,  239, 
*47.  »93.  396,  470 
Shadwell  Ford,  Va,,  310,  314 
Shadwell  Milla,  Va.,  315-316,  325 
Shadwell  parish,  London,  2 
Shallot,  208,  2X3,  4<9,  470.  473.  477. 
498,  500 


Shard,  Julius,  33,  37 
Sharp  b Crenshaw,  405 
Sharpe,  Mr.,  1x4 
Sharpe,  Robert,  23,  24,  29,  36 
Shaw,  Capt.,  238 

Shecut,  John  L.  E.  VF.,  342,  5x8;  let- 
ter from  Jefferson,  516 
Sheep,  tt4,  192,  200,  205,  206,  2x6,  aax, 
222,  225,  *39.  *43.  *4S.  354.  362-364, 
3«9.  378,  4XX,  464.  467.  479.  488,  5SX, 
S3S,  S44.  S6x,  581,  586;  Barbary, 
508^  Bengal,  305;  bigtail,  508; 
merino,  407,  437,  46X,  49  x,  507-5«8, 
540;  Spanish,  508 
Sheep  dogs,  439 
Sheet  iron,  298 

Sheffield,  John  Baker  Holroyd,  first 
Earl  of,  letter  to  Jefferson,  3x7 
Shenandoah  Valley,  Va.,  504 
Shenstone,  William,  1x3 
Sbewell,  Capt.  Robert,  132,  234,  X35 
Shingles,  260 
Shipping,  x8i,  339 

Shoemaker,  Jonathan,  328,  33X,  336, 
360,  373,  384,  437,  4S8;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  347,  436 
Shoemaking,  466 


Index 


698 


Shop,  at  Monticelh,  aio,  sis 
Short,  William,  132, 139,  153,  160,  sSo; 
letters  from  Jefferson,  las,  137,  >42, 
SOS,  s*3i  590,  594,  608 
Shrubbery,  27,  30,  313 
Shrubs,  Z3,  S7,  350 
Sida  abtUilon,  644;  rhombifolia,  544 
Silent,  8.  i6s 
Silk  nettle,  364 
Silk  plant,  447 

Silk  tree,  305,  307,  3**,  3^8,  379,  38o, 
39<,  417,  4»9,  *02 
Silkworm,  144,  648 

Silvestre,  Augustin  Francois,  letter 
from  Jefferson,  33s 
Simmons,  W.,  353 
Sims,  Capt.,  ifi6 

Sinclair,  Sir  John,  3(4;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  £49 
Singleton,  Mrs.,  $34 
Skelton,  Bathurst,  3$ 

Skelton,  Martha  (Wayles),  24.  See 
alto  Jefferson,  Martha  (Wayles) 
Skinner,  John  S.,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
$92 

Skipwith,  Col.  Fulwar,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 438 
Skipwith,  Mr.,  14s 
Skylarks,  235 

Slaughter,  Capt.  Joseph,  49a 
Slaves,  £7,  127,  132,  134,  132,  191,  200, 
338-330,  242,  244-248,  274,  393,  303, 
314,  468-467,  48a,  492,  493,  SOS,  509, 
5*0,  S33,  S3S,  540.  562,  633.  See  alto 
Negroes 
Sloths,  330 
Smallpox,  3 

Smith,  General  John,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 413 

Smith,  Senator  John,  339 
Smith,  Larkin,  483 ; letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 484;  letter  to  Jefferson,  483 
Smith,  Margaret  (Bayard),  283,  393, 
4t3>  527;  letter  from  Jefferson,  383; 
letters  to  Jefferson,  388,  382 
Smith,  Peter,  179 

Smith,  Samuel  Harrison,  328;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  413,  437,  317 
Smith,  Col.  William  Stephens,  114,  480 
Smut,  wheat.  573,  374 
Snakeroot,  black,  843;  Virginia,  843 
Snapdragon,  3,  24,  27 
Snow,  ss,  84,  88,  70,  394,  409.  497.  505, 
543.  579.  580,  834-828 
Snowball,  342 

Snowberry  bush,  473,  48r,  490,  588,  837 
Snowdrops,  389 
Snowdrop  tree.  £48 
Snow  house.  565 

Society  of  Agriculture  of  Paris,  33a 


Sodershorn,  Mr.,  366 
Soft-wood,  140 

Soil,  190,  192,  198,  203,  218,  233,  337, 
238,  249,  250,  351,  283,  278,  288,  387, 
384,  413,  45*,  482-483,  5^.  5*8,  397. 
£41,  849.  See  also  Erosion 
Solatium  melongena,  400;  tuberosum, 
37.  2*3,  847 

Sohdafo  fflomeraia,  303;  suaveolent, 
303 

Sorbus  aucufaria,  334 

Sorrel,  48,  58,  389,  44*.  489.  470.  473. 

498,  $00^  £39;  French,  208,  224 
Sorrel  tree,  140 
Sorrels,  Richard,  17,  38 
Southall,  James  P.  C.,  304 
South  Carolina,  103-104,  108,  1x7,  xx8, 
120,  lat,  133,  131,  133,  134,  138,  143, 
*44,  *85.  38*,  534,  597-59*.  810,  8x2 
South  Caiolina  Society  for  Promoting 
Agriculture,  108,  X07,  118,  123,  135, 
X38,  14X,  x±7,  163,  177,  i79-*»*,  59* 
Southernwood,  208 
South  Sea  Islands,  237,  321 
Southwest  Mountains,  Va.,  463 
Spafford,  Horatio  Q.,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 4x3 

Spain,  X19,  283,  310,  38s,  396,  4*x,  447, 
450,  508 

Spanish  broom.  See  Broom 
Sparhawk,  _Mr,,  89 

Spariium  junceum,  8,  214,  449;  teo- 
pariuru,  323 

Spinach,  24,  48,  55,  71,  73,  208,  210, 
2*4,  *55,  3*5,  390,  39*.  489,  473,  474, 
490,  493,  498-SOO,  506,  S»».  533,  564, 
576,  S*a,  593,  599,  8o£,  807,  £xo,  £39; 
prickly,  388,  393,  47*.  474  i smooth, 
3*9,  393,  495,  5**5  summer,  389,  39*. 
44*.  443,  495,  498,  5*2,  350,  564.  578. 
58*,  593.  599,  <08,  808;  winter,  444, 
550,  585,  594,  599,  808,  8x0 
Spinacia,  48 ; oleracea,  59,  2x5 
Spindle,  evergreen,  648 
Spinning,  245,  488,  487 
Spinning  jennies,  407,  479,  50S,  548 
Spinning  wheels,  89 
Spiraea  trifoliata,  844 
Spotswood,  Gov.  Alexander,  xo 
Spotswood,  Anna  Catherine  (Moore), 
10 

Springfield,  Mass.,  xs7,  170 
SpringhiU,  Augusta  County,  Va.,  503 
Spring  Mills,  Pa.,  278 
Springs,  at  Monticello,  28,  327,  338, 
579,  828,  830;  hot,  301;  Virginia, 

4X1 

Sprouts,  839 

Spruce,  hemlock.  See  Hemlock 
Spuryear,  Mr.,  32* 


Index 


699 


Squash,  aoS,  >36,  249,  274,  301,  386, 
411,  426,  469,  473,  498-SOOi  Sofi.  57<. 
S93.  594.  606,  607,  fiio,  «47;  long 
crooked,  341;  summer,  365;  'waited, 
3*9.  39* : winter,  348,  563 
Squirrels,  27,  179 

Stables,  341,  371,  378,  463,  334,  387 
Stableyaid,  386 
Stafford  County,  Va.,  477 
Stagecoaches,  337,  457,  46a 
Staircases,  173 
Stamp  Act,  3 

Stanhope,  Sir  William,  tii 
Staunton,  Va.,  7,  la,  74,  233,  340,  256, 
531.  5*0.  594 
Steele,  Mr.,  290 
Steers,  48a 
Steptoe,  Dr.,  487 
Stereulia  platanifolia,  353 
Sterrett,  Mr.,  177 

Steviartia  malacodtndron,  139,  140 

Stone,  239 

Stone  columns,  80 

Stone-cutters,  80 

Stone  house,  392,  444,  554 

Stone  masons,  34,  343 

Storms,  171,  237 

Stow,  Eng.,  >13-113 

Strait  of  Gibraltar,  38 

Strait  of  Messina,  38 

Strasbuig,  133 

Straw.  171 

Strawnerries,  5,  9,  ai,  23,  40,  71,  io£, 
*5».  *57.  15*.  *0*.  aa*.  264,  280,  33a, 


34*.  356.  367-369,  3*5,  409,  447.  ^69, 
4**.  537,  543,  579,  627,  639  j Alpine, 
31,  98,  tty,  335,  a6i,  275,  336,  340. 
346,  363,  369.  3*5,  3**,  439.  473,  4*3, 
484,  494,  497,  500;  Chili,  afii,  375, 
406,  407,  431,  453,  455,  4*0,  4*1: 
Hudson,  37s,  406,  407.  431,  4Sa,  453. 
455,  473,  475,  4«o,  4*1,  4*3,  490,  49*" 
300;  large  garden,  31;  May,  31; 
monthly,  30a,  314,  334,  386;  scarlet, 
64s;  white,  94,  98,  494 
Strawberry  bush,  8x 
Strawberry  tree,  76 
Strickland,  William,  234,  238,  2$o,  263, 
459,  649;  letter  from  Jefferson,  262; 
letter  to  Jefferson,  230 
Strode,  John,  299;  letters  from  Jeffer- 
son, 302,  348;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
301,  369 

Strode,  Thomas,  sot 
Stuart,  Archibald,  303-204,  339,  336, 
413,  444;  letters  from  Jefferson,  205, 
ai4,  319,  240,  244,  440,  443 
Stuart,  Dr.  Josephus  B.,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  573 
Stumps,  34 


Succory,  47,  38,  ait,  333,  238,  244,  380, 
408,  370,  380-381 
Sugar,  x44,  331 
Sugar  cane,  374-375 
Sugar  maple  industry,  144,  i48.  See 
also  Maple,  sugar 
Sugar  orchard,  375 
Sulla.  See  Grass,  sulla 
Sumach,  434,  £44;  Venetian,  i44,  i48 
Sumatra,  143 

Sumter,  Gen.  Thomas,  384,  394,  334 

Sunflower,  24,  27 

Surgery,  349 

Suriy  County,  Va.,  384 

Surveying,  80 

Surveyors,  159 

Sweden,  234,  408,  439 

Sweet  bay,  438 

Sweet  Betsy,  81 

Sweet  briar,  34,  37 

Sweet  gum,  S34,  S47 

Sweet  potato,  134,  £34 

Sweet  shrub,  81 

Sweet  William,  3,  94,  335,  337,  353 
Switzerland,  £34 
Syderoxihn,  139 

Sylvestre,  A.  F.,  letter  ftom  Jefferson, 
374 

Sympkonearpos  leueocatpa,  48 1 
Syphons,  414 

Syringa  persiea,  31;  vulgaris,  8,  31 

Tabb,  Philip,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
4x2 ; letters  to  Jefferson,  35 1,  410 
Tagetes,  8 ; ereeta,  478 
Taggert,  J.,  419 
Taliaferro,  Elizabeth,  42 
Taliaferro,  Major  Richard,  zo,  43,  533, 
SSS,  4i8 

Tanacetum  vulgare,  213 
Tannier,  257 
Tansey,  208 
Tares,  474,  478 
Tarleton,  Banastre,  92 
Taro,  357 

Tarragon,  303,  313,  318,  322,  334,  388, 
399,  402,  416,  469,  470,  47a,  473,  4*8, 
498,  300,  322.  See  alto  Estragon 
Tarragona,  Spain,  354 
Taxes,  44,  534 
Taxidermy,  93,  351 
^Taxus  baeeattt,  31;  cauadentis,  31 
Tayloe,  Anne  Coxbin,  398 
Taylor,  James,  421,  .^2,  428,  475,  47*5 
letter  to  Jefferson,  3x4 
Taylor,  John,  213,  303,  318,  544;  let- 
ters from  Jefferson,  217,  220,  233, 
234,  236,  258,  260,  244,  3<*.  372,  S7<> 
560 

Tea,  72,  74,  258,  323,  59* 


700 


Index 


Tea  plant,  6oa 
Teak  tree,  6ai 
Teaael,  4}j 

Techaa,  province  of,  515 
Tecoma  radicans,  31 
Teffe,  as7 
Telford,  Mr.,  399 
Temperance,  600 
Temples,  iia,  113 
Tenant  farmers,  aoa,  365,  370,  432 
Tende,  Col.  de,  127 
Terraces,  64,  9a,  93,  98,  185,  33a,  369, 
39O1  39Si  4**1  44*1  44*-444i  473i  474i 
47Si  47fii  497.  504.  S3«.  574 
Tessf,  M.  de,  339 

Tessf,  Comtesae  Noailles  de,  137,  140, 
ISO,  170,  38s,  a88,  289,  348,  349,  3SO, 
<9“37®i  3*7i  39*!  letters  from  Jef- 
erson,  laa,  131,  149.  *84.  **7.  *99. 
30s,  339.  454.  S19;  letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 238 

Texas,  490,  5 id,  322,  527 
Thames  River,  England,  iix 
Theatre.  See  Playhouse 
Theodolite,  80,  84 

Thermometers,  69,  171,  178,  252,  254. 

44«.  SIS.  S.7*.  580,  5*7 , 
Thermometrical  observations,  623 
Thompson,  Mr.,  89 

Thompson,  Jonathan,  <05,  614;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  38a,  551,  596 
Thomson,  Charles,  132;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  383,  551 

Thorn,  hedge,  309,  3*<.  34*.  343.  34*. 
350.  353-355.  357.  S^S.  559.  Sdoi 
maple-leaf,  558;  Washington,  299 
Thorn  hedges,  SS*-5S9 
Thorn  nursery,  339 
Thorns,  309.  3««.  3*9.  34i.  474.  S«> 
Thornton,  Elizabeth,  x8 
Thornton,  William,  387,  398,  425,  430; 
letters  from  Jefferson,  415,  438,  541 ; 
letters  to  Jefferson,  437,  439 
Thoroughfare  Road,  Va.,  84,  209,  33d 
ThoOin,  Andrd,  378,  379,  3*3.  4*8.  445. 
44«.  450.  455.  45*.  477.  4*o.  490,  504. 
S13.  3*1.  547.  559.  57*.  «»».  d**; 
letters  from  Jefferson,  370,  520;  let- 
ter to  Jefferson,  dop 
Th fee- Friends  (ship),  349 
Threlkeld,  John,  420,  428 ; letter  from 
Jefferson,  345;  letters  to  Jefferson, 
$44»  353>  4^ 

Threshing  machines,  i8d,  188,  191,  202, 
aw4,  242-243,  24d,  250,  252,  258,  272, 
S4fi 

Threshing  mills,  x88,  189 
Thruston,  Charles  Minn,  421 
Thuja,  ii8,  Z57;  eeeidenmis,  647 


Thweatt,  Archibald,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 5d9 
Thyme,  208,  405,  591 
Thymus  vulgaris,  213 
Ticknor,  George,  letter  from  Jefferson, 

5(5 

Ticks,  3or,  579,  627 
Ticonderoga,  N,  V.,  157 
Tigers,  id  _ 

Tilia  amerieana,  646 
Tillandsia  usneoides,  648 
Timor,  Malay  Archipelago,  153,  ids 
Tobacco,  17,  45.  46.  55.  wi.  iS*.  1*3. 
18s,  i8d,  191,  19a,  238.  *41.  *54.  *59- 
260,  276,  294,  320,  321,  37S,  394.  413. 
431,  441,  45*.  45*.  464-466,  493.  5*7. 
5*6.  535.  546.  547.  55*.  557.  5*0.  614. 
d4i,  d47,  848;  Aricara  (=  Arikara), 
345,  383;  Mandan,  307 
Todd,  Elizabeth,  10 
Toddsbury,  Gloucester  County,  Va,, 
251 

Tomahawk,  Bedford  County,  Va.,  48$, 
4S7,  5*7 

Tomahawk  Creek,  Va.,  485,  487,  483, 

Tomatoes  (toraatas),  391,  448,  450, 
465.  469-473.  495.  497-500.  506,  522, 
538,  550.  582,  593,  8o8,  807,  813,  839, 
648;  dwarf,  564,  588,  6iq;  Spamsh, 
_403.  5643  576,  599 

Tombstone,  Jefferson’s,  44 
Tools,  229,  247,  459-460,  464 
Topinambour,  390,  400 
Tott,  Madame  de,  137 
Toulis,  Mr.,  20 
Tragopogon  porrifolius,  58 
Transplantation,  459 
Transylvania  College,  Ky.,  503 
Travel,  inconveniences  of,  394 
Treaties,  provisional,  loi 
Trees,  180,  162,  175,  284,  285,  290,  293, 
300,  308,  309,  312,  3*2,  347.  4**.  540. 
832.  835;  Virginia,  844-848 
Trenton,  N.  J.,  lox 
Tricoior  (pansy)^  4 
Trifolium  agrartum,  478;  pratense, 
214;  repens,  214 

Trist,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (House),  185, 
178,  361,  508,  598;  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 3*0,  359.  433.  501,  5*8.  539. 

Trist,* 'Nicholas  P.,  letter  to,  804 
Tritieum  aesiivum,  80,  2x4;  aestivum 
var.  pohnicum,  430;  repens,  584 
Tritonia  fenestrata,  491 
Triumph  (ship),  82 
Trollius,  24,  27 ; asiatieus,  32 
Tropaeolum  majus,  80,  99 
Trout,  1x4,  X57 


Index 


701 


Trowels,  aSo 
True,  Dr.  Rodney  H,,  *93 
Trumpet  flower,  *3,  27 
Ttuga  canadensis,  393 
Tuberose,  117,  33<!,  337,  340,  353,  373, 
381,  447i  4SS;  double,  346 
Tuckahoe,  Goochland  County,  Va.,  1, 
20,  47,  S5>  S8,  80,  92,  lot,  148,  44S, 
449.  454.  468 
Tuckahoe,  645 

Tttfton,  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  226, 
227,  22S,  331 

Tulip,  94.  *17.  3*1.  32*.  335.  337.  35*. 
3fi7.  369.  373.  447.  455.  481,  5«2,  636; 
double,  £35;  parrot,  489 
Tttlipa,  99 
Tulip  tree,  aoi 
Tull,  Jethro,  516,  570 
Tulman,  Mr,,  563 

Tunnicliff,  letter  from  Jefferson,  301 
Turf,  35<,  630 
Turin,  Italy,  133-136 
Turkey,  57s 

Turnip,  51, 119, 194, 195, 198,  203,  213, 
221,  333,  333.  434,  337,  244,  358,  376, 
360,  S06,  S18,  560,  607,  613,  639,  641, 
£48;  early,  490,  499;  early  Dutch, 
470;  English,  334;  forward,  £34: 
Fraaer's  new,  376',  Hanover,  334; 
long  French,  409  *,  lopped,  333 ; cose, 
£34;  summer,  444,  473,  496 ! Swed- 
ish, 336,  390,  393.  408,  439.  443.  472. 
473.  496.  498-500,  523.  S£5.  583.  586, 
587.  594 

Turpin,  William,  598 
Tuscany,  s*.  S*.  £*.  474 
Twickenham,  England,  in,  336 
Twitman,  Mr.,  341 

Ulex  enropaeus,  314 
Ulmits  americana,  £47;  campestTis,i^7^ 
Umbrella  tree,  4,  31,  79.  84.  423,  633, 
£46.  See  also  Magnolia  tripftala 
United  States,  44,  Joi,  163,  389,  580, 

£23 

U.  S.  Congress,  roi,  258,  266,  382,  310, 
363,  401,  4S2 
U,  S.  Constitution,  396 
U.  S.  consuls,  109,  i£o,  179,  450 
U.  S.  Continental  Congress,  28,  £7 
U.  S.  Customs,  378,  484 
U.  S,  Minister  to  France,  103,  <0$ 

U,  S.  Peace  Commissioners,  96,  loi 
XT.  S.  Secretary  of  State,  148 
U.  S,  Secretary  of  War,  sia 
U.  S.  Senate,  253,  373,  £17 
University  of  Virginia.  See  Virginia, 
University  of 


Vaccination,  408 

f'aceinium,  345;  oxycaeeus,  *15,  645; 
uligtttosum,  £45 

Vale,  Aaron,  288;  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 289 
Valerian,  £25 

Valeriana  locusta  radiata,  £45;  vesi- 
caria,  424,  430 

Vanderhorst,  Elias,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 177 

Van  Hasselt,  W.  H.,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 3S7 

Van  Ness,  John  P.,  letter  to  Jefferson, 
820 

Varina,  Henrico  County,  Va.,  227,  398 
Varnish  tree,  398;  China,  363 
Varro,  Marcus  Terentius  (Censorius), 

567 

Vaughan,  Benjamin,  583,  384;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  144,  131,  163;  letter 
of,  387;  letters  to  Jefferson,  143 
Vaughan,  John,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
414;  letters  to  Jefferson,  321,  340 
Vaughan,  Samuel,  384 
Vaughan,  Samuel,  Jr.,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 134;  letter  to  Jefferson,  153 
Vaughan,  Sarah  (Hallowell),  584 
Vaughan,  William  Oliver,  387 
Vegetable  market  in  Washington, 
D.  C.,  639 
Venus,  113 

Venus’s  flytrap,  117,  294.  See  also 
Dionaea 

Vercelli,  Italy,  122,  133 
Vermont,  157,  167,  179 
Versailles,  104,  103 

Vetch,  48,  222,  2J3-235.  242,  350,  263, 
274,  360;  Siberian,  221;  spring,  249; 
winter,  221,  231,  238,  249,  230,  238, 
a£i,  262 

Viburnum  acerifolium,  no,  116; 
nudum,  no,  113,  ii£;  opuKfolium, 
afii'f  opulus  rosea,  334;  apulus  var. 
sterile,  214;  prunifmuia,  31 
Vida,  39.  *341  fnka,  39.  62,  212,  214; 
sativa,  231,  478 

Vigna  sesguipcdalis,  396;  sinensis,  60, 
«5 

Vignerons,  32,  £2,  81 
Vinca  minor,  32 
Vinegar,  93,  349 

Vines,  40,  43,  loi,  lo£,  248,  304,  305, 
548,  554.  S£* 

Vineyards,  52,  £4,  *77.  *79.  33*.  333. 
348,  387.  443.  4<a-4<3,  474-475,  493. 
.49*.  554.  SdS.  *00,  632;  Maazei's,  63 
Viola  canadensis,  3;  cucuUata,  3; 
hasiattt,  ^ ; palmata,  3.;  pedata,  3 : 
rafxesquti,  scabriuseula,  3; 
Striata,  3;  tricolor,  t 


702 


Ikoex 


Violet,  I,  24,  27,  162;  Dutch,  4,  S; 
white,  367 

Firgilia  fragrans,  604 
Virginia,  62,  92,  144,  *4*- 

245,  451,  £iS;  catalogue  of  plants, 
644-648 

Virginia  Capes,  330 
Virginia,  Colony  of,  7,  16,  20,  27,  35, 
4*.  SI,  174 

Virginia,  Commonwealth  of,  27,  29, 
44i  63.  «7i  80,  92 

Virginia,  University  of,  44,  539,  563, 
572.  577.  584.  585.  590,  595,  600,  608, 
611,  619-621 

Virglnia'Carolina  boundary  dispute, 
17a  _ 

Virginia  Society  for  Promoting  Useful 
, Knowledge,  60 
Virgin’s  bower,  336 
Fitex  agnui-eatlut,  333 
Viticulture,  i2o,  126,  277,  278,  429,  433, 
.5(18,  554,  557,  572,  597-598,  604,  614 
Ftttj,  645;  ntandifolia,  566;  mutfera, 
6a 

Volney,  C..  F.  C.  de,  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 249,  255,  315 


Wabash  River,  Ind.,  645 
Wages,  overseers’,  182-183 
Wales,  585 
Walker,  Francis,  304 
Walker,  James,  327,  33X,  336}  letter 
from  Jefferson,  338;  letters  to  Jef- 
ferson, 327,  338 
Walker,  Mary,  19 

Walker,  Dr.  Thomas,  19,  as,  60,  68, 
81,  96,  171,  174 

Walks,  34,  359,  384,  390,  395,  474,  497 
Wallace,  Dr.  James  W.,  letter  from 
Jefferson,  408;  tetter  to  Jefferson, 
602 

Wallflower,  327,  337 

Walls,  52,  54,  64,  77,  84,  it3,  33a,  397. 

425,  44*1  S03.  551,  620 
Walnut,  IS,  129,  407.  <33.  <351  black, 
6,  II,  280,  633,  645;  English,  6,  XI, 
18,  76,  83;  European,  15a;  French, 
76,  83;  Gloucester,  150;  Paradox, 
IX ; white,  633,  645 
Walrus,  530 

Warden,  David  Baillie,  461,  462,  5x3; 
letters  from  Jefferson,  440,  451,  459, 


521,  557 

Warehouses,  tobacco,  294 
Warm  Springs,  Va.,  411,  577,  581,  594 
Warren,  Va.,  351,  513 
Wars,  18s,  289,  293,  3<»,  39<,  407.  408, 
4<».  47«,  SO»,  520,  525-527.  547,  SS* 


Washington,  George,  142,  148,  133, 
154,  157,  159,  172,  183,  187,  194,  203, 
218,  221,  408,  459,  570:  letters  from 
Jefferson,  164,  172,  178,  186,  191, 
217,  218,  238,  250 

Washington,  D.  C.,  99,  269,  273,  277, 
310,  313,  323,  325,  359.  <39 
Washita  River,  Ark.-La.,  301 
Water,  scarcity  of,  18,  322 
Waterhouse,  Benjamin,  430;  letter 
from  Jefferson,  380 
Watermelon,  16,  34,  36,  63,  63,  130, 
208,  224,  639;  Roman,  390 
Water  power,  204 
Water  screws,  114 
Waters,  garden,  113,  114 
Water  supply,  17,  18,  281,  283,  427, 
440,  535,  54J,  583-5*4.  587,  595.  <01, 
603,  628-631 

Watkins,  Mr.,  339,  340;  letters  from 
Jefferson,  377 

Watkins,  Henry  E.,  letter  from  Jeffer- 
son, 381 ; letter  to  Jefferson,  380 
Watson,  Mr.,  108,  204 
Watson,  David,  223 
IFatsonia  meriana,  491 
Wayles,  John,  42,  60,  83 
Wayles,  Martha.  See  Jefferson,  Mar- 
tha (Wayles) 

Weather,  187,  188,  aoo,  203,  216,  219- 
220,  227,  as*,  »3<,  »37>  *39,  232,  304, 
3*2,  3*5.  3*9,  35a,  354.  3<a,  3<7,  394, 
400,  409,  416,  427,  432,  483,  505 
Weather  observations,  22,  28,  33,  69, 
73,  86-87,  98,  15a,  157,  »7»,  *78.  190. 
231,  246,  249,  »S4,  a8i,  319,  3*5,  330- 
33*.  334,  347.  3<i,  390,  393,  4*«,  4*3, 
44t,  493,  515,  52*.  5*5,  5a<,  533.  54*- 
543,  552-553,  557.  573.  S7*-58o,  5*7, 
622-628 

Weaving,  24s,  466,  467,  540 
Webb,  George,  49,  51,  6x 
Weeds,  178,  201,  211,  242,  263,  SSh 
366,  488,  S09,  543,  581 
Weevils,  163,  189,  aoi,  203,  230,  237, 
*43,  *57 

Weightmann,  Roger  C.,  461;  letter 
from  Jefferson,  463 ; letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 463 

Wells,  17,  281,  283,  628,  629 
Wescot,  Lord,  113-1x4 
Westham,  Va.,  92 
West  Indies,  398,  50S 
Wheat,  12,  55,  67,  152,  172,  183,  188, 
190,  192-195,  *97,  *99,  201,  202,  217, 
218,  221,  228,  229,  230,  235,  237,  241- 
243,  244,  *4<.  248,  250,  254,  *<2,  263, 
27a,  276,  287,  321,  353,  375,  395,  4XX, 
4*3,  43*.  439.  44*.  458-459,  46*,  464. 


InD£X 


703 


46s,  4SS1  Soa.  SOSj  S»i  S«i  S»7-S»9. 
5*6,  S3S,  539.  543,  546.  S47.  55*.  557. 
561,  56*.  57*.  579,  5*5.  5*«.  59«>.  59*. 
513,  614,  62S,  641,  647;  bearded  yel- 
low, a86;  Caspian,  456;  common, 
319;  Egyptian,  309,  604;  gentilli, 
591;  Guzerat,  347;  Jerusalem,  304: 
Lawler,  S73-574;  May,  346,  35S,  319, 
408,  592;  Poland  spring,  423;  Si- 
berian, 49, 60;  Sicilian,  257 ; Smyrna, 
*57,  spring,  208,  $80;  summer,  49, 
60;  Talevera,  585;  white,  153,  163, 
(66 

Wheat  fly,  572.  Set  also  Hessian  fly 
Wheat  machine,  54a 
Wheelbarrows,  37 

Whip-poor-wills,  151,  (55,  170,  216, 
301,  579.  6*7 
Whiskey,  532 

White,  John  Campbell,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 561;  letter  to  Jefferson,  560 
White  House,  283,  584 
Whortleberry,  645 
Wickham,  John,  603 
Wilkinson,  James,  309;  letter  to  Jef- 
ferson, 612 

Willdenow,  Karl  Ludwig,  530 
William  and  Mary  College,  2,  29,  59, 
(OS,  to6,  (74,  584 

Williamsburg,  Va.,  a,  to,  20,  34,  35, 
4*.  43.  57.  67,  69,  7*,  73,  80,  88,  90, 
US.  533 

Williams,  David,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
289 

Williams,  Jonathan,  letters  from  Jef- 
ferson, 240,  25t 

Williamson  Sc  Cowling,  letter  to  Jef- 
ferson, 404 

Willing,  Thomas,  637 
Willis,  Mr.,  35(,  6(2 
Willis,  Francis,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
351 

Willis,  Stephen,  33,  *9,  57.  80:  letter 
from  Jefferson,  (73 

Willis  Mountain,  Buckingham  County, 
Va.,  80,  84-85,  559 

Willow,  647;  golden,  (6t,  369,  465, 
494.  635;  shrub,  158;  weeping,  44, 
(6t,  176,  208,  209,  3X4,  264,  265,  272, 
394,  46s,  494,  635.  637;  yellow,  167, 
(69 

Wills,  Mrs.,  36 

Wills,  Capt.  Mathew,  letter  from  Jef- 
son,  487 

Wills,  Dr.  William,  (4 
Wilmington,  Del.,  558 
Wilmington,  N.  C.,  146 
Winchester,  Va.,  7 


Windbreaks,  559 
Window  boxes,  (6( 

Winds,  (48,  (77,  248,  325,  579,  626- 
627 

Windsor,  Gloucester  County,  Va.,  60 
Wine,  43,  375,  423,  436,  566,  618;  Co- 
martin Burgundy,  423 ; domestic, 
462-463,  548,  554,  557,  573,  600,  632; 
French,  106;  scuppernong,  572 
Wine-making,  39,  63,  120,  (26-127, 
462-463,  475,  481 
Winlaw,  Mr.,  348 
Winn,  John,  614 
Winslow,  Mr.,  52,  62 
Winterberry,  365 
Winter  melon,  307 

Winters,  66,  70,  236,  252,  254,  305,  367, 
543.  55*.  578.  s8o 

Wistar,  Dr.  Caspar,  letter  from  Jef- 
ferson, 349 

Wobvrn,  England,  112 
Wollaston,  Fred  H.,  letter  to  Jeffer- 
son, 356 

Wood,  Jethro,  letter  from  Jefferson, 
569 ; letter  to  Jefferson,  561 
Wood,  John,  5*,  62 
Woodford,  Capt.,  84 
Woodlands,  the,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 


Wood’s  Mill,  Va.,  3*2 
Woodward,  Judge  Augustus  B.,  letter 
from  Jefferson,  6((;  letter  to  Jef- 
ferson, 6(9 
Wool,  407 

Workmen,  *45,  257,  365 
Worms,  320,  592,  6(2 
Wormwood,  208 

Worthingtodi  Thomas,  386,  397,  6(8; 
letter  from  Jefferson,  6(6;  letter  to 
Jefferson,  6(7 
Wotton,  England,  112 
Wynne,  Sir  Watkins  William,  585 
Wythe,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Taliaferro), 
30,  39,  4* 

Wythe,  George,  7,  28,  80,  336,  533: 
letters  from  Jefferson,  ist,  223;  let- 
ter to  Jefferson,  20 

Xanihoxflon,  33^,. 34* 

Ximenesia  eneehoides,  445 

Yancey,  Joel,  539,  544,  6(6;  letters 
from  Jefferson,  544,  546,  555,  557. 
568,  585,  595 
Yellow  fever,  (8s-(86 
Yellow-wood,  363 

Yew,  24.  *7.  361;  American,  3(; 

dwarf,  26(|  English,  31 


704 


Index 


Yorktown,  Va.,  85,  54*,  Zea  mays,  65,  214,  647 

Young,  Arthur,  191-192,  196,  319,  233,  Zisutnta  aquattta,  645 
338,  244,  408,  459,  5*6,  570  Zityfhus  jujuba,  398 

Yucca  filameniosa,  314  2oology,  162,  173